Yet another Gear ratio post

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Oct 20, 2003 | 11:01 PM

Blownaway

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From: Tacoma Wa

Yet another Gear ratio post

I have seen many of the posts about gear ratio's but still wonder,
1- If I drive mostly empty does that mean better mileage with 3:73's

2- Will a 3:73 truck tow 11,000lbs fairly decent if only once a month

3- 3:73 will be O.K if I don't plan on using larger than stock tires?

Oct 20, 2003 | 11:02 PM

Blownaway

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From: Tacoma Wa

Looked at one local dealer and all they had was 3:73 automatic trucks, Also I wondered if an Auto V-10 Crew Cab longbed would be O.K if It had The higher gears?

Oct 21, 2003 | 09:24 AM

krewat

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Be careful with the total combined weight rating. My supercab shortbed is lighter than a crew-cab, so it's tow rating is HIGHER than a crew-cab, and with 3.73, I'm limited to around 10,500 lbs. If it had a 4.30, it would go up to 12,500lbs.

Not entirely sure, but most people here do not seem to get a different MPG with the 3.73 vs. 4.30

For me, with the 3.73's, I wouldn't tow anything near the 10,500. It definitely needs the 4.30's. Otherwise, as an empty daily beater, the 3.73's work for me, and I get better than 16MPG on the highway doing 75MPH.

Oct 28, 2003 | 03:02 PM

DRM

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From: TN

Quote:

Originally posted by krewat
Not entirely sure, but most people here do not seem to get a different MPG with the 3.73 vs. 4.30

I noticed significant differences in the gearing between the 2 V10 trucks I have owned.

Oct 28, 2003 | 03:22 PM

krewat

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Quote:

Originally posted by DRM
I noticed significant differences in the gearing between the 2 V10 trucks I have owned.

Were they the exact same truck? Cab style, 4x2 vs 4x4, long/short bed, cap, etc?

Just curious

Oct 28, 2003 | 03:37 PM

DRM

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From: TN

Quote:

Originally posted by krewat
Were they the exact same truck? Cab style, 4x2 vs 4x4, long/short bed, cap, etc?

Just curious

No, they were different.

1999 Ext cab. V10, auto, 3.73's, 265's, 2wd.
2000 Crew Cab V10, auto, 4.30's, 285's, 4wd.

Aerodynamics accounted for some of the difference, as does weight, but the gearing of the '00 truck runs much higher rpm's on the highway - and as nice as that is for towing, it blows the mpg down in the process.

Oct 28, 2003 | 07:05 PM

mptjelgin

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I have a '99 LWB 2WD Extended Cab w/V10. I bought the truck with 3.73's and drove it that way for 40,000 miles. I towed first a 7500 lb. travel trailer, then later a 10,000 lb. fifth wheel. After towing the larger trailer around for a year, I had the gears changed to 4.30's and have been very pleased. My unloaded milage dropped by only 1/2 mpg, while my towing milage increased by about that much. The trailer tows much better with the 4.30's. It runs much stronger at the higher rpm, staying in OD most of the time.

I'd say that if you are planning to tow that 11,000 lb trailer in hilly country, or if it has a high profile like a 5th wheel, you'll be frustrated with the 3.73's. If it's flat ground and a lower profile trailer, maybe you'll be happy.

Good luck either way.