View Poll Results: If ordering a new SD with 6.2, which axle ratio preferred?
4.30
129
76.33%
3.73
40
23.67%
Voters: 169. You may not vote on this poll
4.30 vs 3.73?
#1
4.30 vs 3.73?
Looking at getting my first gasser in a LONG time. What are the general guidelines for ratio selection with the 6.2? I have been reading everything posted on the 6.2 and axle ratios and it seems there is a slight preference overall for the 4.30 ratio; however then I will read some guy tows 10k+ with his 3.73 and no problem whatsoever... then there are the threads where they say they are towing 12000+ over the Rocky Mountains and don't state what axle ratio their truck is. Etc etc.
I was looking at ordering a 2018 F350 XLT CCSB with 6.2 / 4.30 axles. I have a fifth wheel weighing 9000+, a technical poling skiff weighs around 1500, and a utility trailer a couple thousand maybe. So I really don't have anything just massively heavy to move. What would be the most a 6.2 with 3.73 be comfortable towing? Lots of highway running light truck so I was thinking if I did get the 4.30 I could go with a little larger tires, or would it be better to just go with the 3.73?
Cannot even think about a diesel with EGR. And besides tired of the maintenance costs etc. General guidelines from you guys much appreciated and would help many noobs trying to make the same decisions etc.
I was looking at ordering a 2018 F350 XLT CCSB with 6.2 / 4.30 axles. I have a fifth wheel weighing 9000+, a technical poling skiff weighs around 1500, and a utility trailer a couple thousand maybe. So I really don't have anything just massively heavy to move. What would be the most a 6.2 with 3.73 be comfortable towing? Lots of highway running light truck so I was thinking if I did get the 4.30 I could go with a little larger tires, or would it be better to just go with the 3.73?
Cannot even think about a diesel with EGR. And besides tired of the maintenance costs etc. General guidelines from you guys much appreciated and would help many noobs trying to make the same decisions etc.
#2
Depends how much you're towing. I'm well within the limits of an F150. So my F250 with 3.73 does fine. It's not like the old days where we only had a 3 or 4 speed transmission. The 3.73 trucks just spend more time in a gear lower than the 4.30 trucks with todays 6 speeds.
Maybe if I was towing over 9000# I'd want 4.30. Towing that, and 33-34" tires, 295/70r17, I'd rather have 4.56. If I regear I'm going 4.56 or 4.88 (37" tire). I'm not voting, because 4.56 is likely the correct answer.
Maybe if I was towing over 9000# I'd want 4.30. Towing that, and 33-34" tires, 295/70r17, I'd rather have 4.56. If I regear I'm going 4.56 or 4.88 (37" tire). I'm not voting, because 4.56 is likely the correct answer.
#4
#6
#7
Trending Topics
#8
If your ordering a truck with 17" wheels and plan on keeping the stock size tires, then 3.73 is a pretty good gear. You will get optimal fuel mileage, and it will tow you 9k fairly well. Obviously 4.30 would tow it a little better.
If your ordering a truck with 18 or 20" wheels, which come with larger diameter tires, or plan on running 35's or close to them, 110% without a doubt, order 4.30's. Your fuel mileage will not suffer(may actually do better) and it will make a big difference in your towing experience.
If your ordering a truck with 18 or 20" wheels, which come with larger diameter tires, or plan on running 35's or close to them, 110% without a doubt, order 4.30's. Your fuel mileage will not suffer(may actually do better) and it will make a big difference in your towing experience.
#11
my opinion.
if you run mountains... 4.30's no question.
my truck.. 2012 6.2L, 3.73.. 156,000 miles
I carry 1,500 pounds in bed of truck AND tow a travel trailer over 9,000 pounds... and 12 feet high.....
in West Virginia.. a few times on the freeway.. I was in second gear doing over 4,000 rpms... but HAD NO ISSUES.. the 6.2L loves to spin.. so let it.
I have the stock 17's steel wheels and stock size tires...
I did not vote.
.
if you run mountains... 4.30's no question.
my truck.. 2012 6.2L, 3.73.. 156,000 miles
I carry 1,500 pounds in bed of truck AND tow a travel trailer over 9,000 pounds... and 12 feet high.....
in West Virginia.. a few times on the freeway.. I was in second gear doing over 4,000 rpms... but HAD NO ISSUES.. the 6.2L loves to spin.. so let it.
I have the stock 17's steel wheels and stock size tires...
I did not vote.
.
#12
Isn't the 6th gear in 3.73 virtually the same as 5th in the 4.3? So it's like having an extra overdrive gear for when you're not towing and if you're buying a gas rig you're not towing that much so the 3.73 make the most sense unless you plan to put huge tires on it or modify the height of the truck.
#13
#14
When I ordered mine I knew I wanted the 275/70-18's for payload and those are 33's so the 4.30 was a must since that brings the effective ratio to 4.10ish over the smaller stock 17" wheel. I don't tow real heavy but tow quite a bit and all of my previous HD rigs all had 4.10's. We've got a 5500lb boat, 1800lb ute trailer, and 9000lb-ish 32' travel trailer and it all pulls easy. The TT is no problem and I don't feel in the least bit under powered. It boils down to your need and use. I've said it before, if 4.56's were optional, I'd get those.
MPG's are not a huge concern to me since I'd rather have more grunt. My 6.2 truck gets the same MPG's as the 7.3 I got rid of and gas is 10cents/gal less in these parts.
MPG's are not a huge concern to me since I'd rather have more grunt. My 6.2 truck gets the same MPG's as the 7.3 I got rid of and gas is 10cents/gal less in these parts.
#15
Originally Posted by madsen203
Isn't the 6th gear in 3.73 virtually the same as 5th in the 4.3?.
On top of that, with 3.73's, I was almost always in manual mode to prevent a down shift. With my 4.88's(effectively 4.30's because of my tire size), I still use manual mode in the hills, but I try to incorporate tow/haul more often in the rolling hills. The difference is the torque converter will not unlock in manual mode.