Hello everyone
about to order a new 22
curenetly have a 18 6.7 platinum 350 short box with 3.55 gears

I tow occasionally for work with a 12k loaded trailer
And in the spring and fall my 16k boat to put in storage
Current truck is fine but was thnnning about ordering with the 3.31 gearing

but correct me if I’m wrong
Is Ford rating the 3.31 gears for only 15k?
and the 3.55 for 20k
this graph is screwing me up
thanks
https://www.ford.com/trucks/super-duty/models/f350-platinum/

 

The 3.31 can be rated for 20k towing. Their towing guides are IMO, confusing... tires are a big factor it seems when looking at the towing guide, however, what I can't understand is the towing guide rates 18" A/S tires to tow heavier than 18" A/T tires... the A/T tires have a higher load rating than the A/S tires, but for whatever reason, that's what they have on the towing guide. Anyway, if you're going with a diesel, it seems like many are perfectly fine with the 3.31 rear end even for heavy loads.

 

4.30!

My '22 F-350 Lariat, 7.3, SCSB 4WD has 4.30 gearing. All the pulling power you need, and turns 2K rpm @ 70 mph....

No brainer! They can keep their 3.55 gears. This is an HD truck and thus should be geared like one.

 

Get the 3.31's. you have a 10 speed transmission who gives a FF if you top the hill 1 gear lower. the only time the gear ratio really matters is in 10 gear, and with what you're towing that's not an issue.

The only time lower gears make sense is if you're towing heavy loads a lot. Ford knows this and that's why 3.31's are standard.

 

Can’t get 4.30s on a diesel except the 450s.

 

Ahhh, well, you never mentioned diesel

 

I just assume he meant diesel, since that is what he said he currently has, and 3.31s aren’t available with gas. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

Just throwing this out there, I know the "fans" will probably jump all over me but, it begs the next question...
if you frequently tow 12K, and only occasionally tow 16K, why get the diesel with it's exorbitant initial cash outlay, and increased maintenance costs, when Ford engineers have provided you with a more than capable (for your needs), economic alternative in the 7.3L?
From an economical standpoint, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense.
.... but I digress, it's your money 💰 😏

 

People get the diesel because people want the diesel. It is not any more complex than that. Nobody gotta' run any numbers or justify their purchase with anyone. I would also wager many here don't even need a SD -me included- if everyone had to run the numbers for justification.

 

Towing, empty, does not matter. Roll on the pedal and go. Now downshift, no drama, just pure power. My sons 6.2L runs great, but it ain't no diesel.

 

I went with 3.31s. For the diesel there doesn't appear to be a difference in capacity based on rear end gearing. My config is a CCLB with AT tires. This shows 20k:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/d...owingGuide.pdf

 

Did you get the 18 or the 20” A/T tires?

 

I went with 18s.

not sure it'll help but I'll shoot you my window sticker if you want.

 

3 reasons
i plow with it and the diesel is amazing when pushing snow
resale value
longevity

oh
and it’s just bad *** having a diesel

 

Not trying to derail this thread (and it's been an extensive other thread), but this is what I meant by the towing guide being confusing. I also have a 250 CC 6.7 w/ HCTT but short bed, and the GCVWR is 30000... but for both of our trucks, to get the 20k tow rating, the little note by that number states that it: "Requires 18" All-Season or 20" All-Terrain Tires"

This doesn't make sense to me because they typically used 18" A/S tires have a lower load rating than the typically used 18" A/T tires... besides not giving the higher rated 18" tire the 20k rating, they don't even specify what the tow rating is for the 18"...

Anyway, I just decided that it's 20K regardless of which 18" or 20" tires that comes on it considering they are rating it at 20k with the lowest load rated tire...

Unless you went with a 350, in which case, never mind, although the confusion still stands...