What is the best rear end gear ratio to have with the 6.0 engine?, I plan to pull a trailer, but don't want to have the truck run wide open to go 75MPH. I think maybe 373 is to tall and the tranny will be hunting to much and anything lower then 411 is to low for freeway speeds.
what do some of you think?, and what does Ford offer?

 

The 3.73 is available in all configuration, but the 4.10 is only available with a F350 dually.

 

I'd go with the 3:73. If the trans hunts too much just lock out the overdrive while you are pulling your trailer. The tow/haul mode of the new transmission is supposed to cure the hunting while towing.

 

The 3.73 is not avalible with limited slip in a F350, which is as stupid as not letting you get the 6 speed manual with the sport package. I would have prefered the 3.73's or even a 3.55 limited slip rear as opposed to the 4.10's. But why buy a dually without limited slip?

 

Joe,
You can't lock out the overdrive with the Torqueshift. The tow/haul mode changes the shift parameters but still uses all 5 gears. You don't get a lot of shifting with the Torqueshift, even on 6% grades. It shifts when it needs to but stays there. Mine will not even shift out of 5th when at freeway speeds unless I have my travel trailer behind me [10,000 lbs]. Running empty my 6.0L with the Torqueshift stays in 5 gear better than my 7.3 with the 4R100 did when running about 40-45mph, again without hunting for gears. This truck has a 4:10 vs a 3:73 rear end in the old truck. Both were limited slip.

I did not know you couldn't get a 3:73 limited slip in the F350 6.0L Torqueshift. I had it with the 7.3 in 2001. I would want the limited slip if I could get it. With this engine, transmission and a 4:10 rear end you have plenty of throttle and rpm's to spare when running at 70 mph pulling a load. I believe mine usually runs at about 2200 rpm when doing about 70 mph. This engine redlines a lot higher than this and you can gain speed pulling a 6% grade with 10,000 lbs behind you if you have the nerve to pass someone going up a 6% grade at this speed.

I don't know if it is the engine or the transmission but this engine doesn't seem to work near as hard, pulling a grade with a load, as the 7.3L. It is much smoother and quiter when doing this without the loud turbo noise of the 7.3. If you have pulled with both of these engines you will see there really is no comparison when both are stock. The 6.0L pulls better hands down. The only drawback I can see to the 6.0L is the towing mileage. Mine seems to get around 10.5 while towing and the 7.3L would get 11.5 to 12.5 mpg while towing. This is a small tradeoff for the power of the 6.0L.

Greg

 

I think the lack of 3.73 is on the DRW option.
I am planning on buying the SRW so I can get 3.73 which I will need as a greater percentage of miles than the DRW.

 

I agree but limited slip differentials nowadays are a eunch anyway -- they are almost useless. If they are not going to set them up to do what they were designed to do, they should offer a locking differential -- let the buyer decide which differential he/she wants and with what gear ratio. And for people who don't know what they want, that is what knowledgable salespeople are for. Car companies today assume that people are too dumb to know what they want, consequently the customer is treated like a moron.

 

Joe, It is a good thing I knew what I wanted (even if I couldn't get all of it) when I ordered my truck. You are 110 percent right about the nerve of the companies hoping you don't have a clue.

 

Disregard.

 

Thanks for all the gear ratio info, I like my 373's w/5.4, I guess it just needs mo-horsepower &/or torque to pull my load uphill.
As far as Limitslip D, I could never go without it,cause wheels slip pulling trailer on loose stones. It' also nice not to use 4wd in snow all the time.

 

I have a 2003 F350 4x4 crew cab w/ 4.10 limited slip and it will run 90mph - no problem with RPM's runs 90 just like it is running 55.

 

But the fuel milage takes a big hit with 4 series gears compared to 3.73's.