NEW GEARS?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 102
From: Georgia
Yeah, they claim the 6 speed tranny makes up for it. I don't believe it for a minute. I have a lot of knots on my head from folks over on that forum because I said that there was some point of resistance that a 3.73 diff would not overcome but a 4.10 or 4.30 would, and it didn't matter what the tranny was. They think the tranny can make up for axle power, but I ain't buying it. It's two different things.
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FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
I have had 4.30 in my last 2 trucks! Pulls great! 
I would like to see a truck with 3.73 pulling my flat bed with backhoe (32,000 pounds GVW) 
Stopped me from ordering a 2011, I will have to see what happens!
I would like to see a truck with 3.73 pulling my flat bed with backhoe (32,000 pounds GVW) Stopped me from ordering a 2011, I will have to see what happens!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
that is probably my biggest concern when you start putting over 10K behind that thing. Unless you go DRW 3.55 I think is the max.
After market is a gonna get alot of buz I think.
I would imagine it will do it but I would think that over time your tranny is not gonna last.
After market is a gonna get alot of buz I think.
I would imagine it will do it but I would think that over time your tranny is not gonna last.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 652
Likes: 1
Yeah, they claim the 6 speed tranny makes up for it. I don't believe it for a minute. I have a lot of knots on my head from folks over on that forum because I said that there was some point of resistance that a 3.73 diff would not overcome but a 4.10 or 4.30 would, and it didn't matter what the tranny was. They think the tranny can make up for axle power, but I ain't buying it. It's two different things.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, Alaska
It is really all a matter of what RPM you have maximum torque at, and how much of that torque curve you have left as vehicle speed (proportional to RPM) increases or decreases before having to change the gear and get back into that torque curve.
So if the 373 does it with the 6 speed trans, then it is setup properly. Example: If you run out of torque at 70 mph pulling a trailer in 6th gear (too high RPM's), then the ratio is too low and you need higher gears. If you run out of torque at 70 mph in 6th gear (too low RPM's), but down shifting to 5th is too high, then you need lower gears.
It's all about application.
If the transmission is designed to handle a load in 6th gear, then I wouldn't worry about the trans. The Allison trans that all the trucks use can handle a load in all the gears, so why can't Ford design one? UNless there really is a problem with that 6 speed and have problems with towing in 6th gear or towing in general.
So I would say if you have 373 gears and the truck performs well for towing, then it is matched up well. If not, then you need to change gears, or Ford did a **** poor job of designing a diesel truck for towing.
So if the 373 does it with the 6 speed trans, then it is setup properly. Example: If you run out of torque at 70 mph pulling a trailer in 6th gear (too high RPM's), then the ratio is too low and you need higher gears. If you run out of torque at 70 mph in 6th gear (too low RPM's), but down shifting to 5th is too high, then you need lower gears.
It's all about application.
If the transmission is designed to handle a load in 6th gear, then I wouldn't worry about the trans. The Allison trans that all the trucks use can handle a load in all the gears, so why can't Ford design one? UNless there really is a problem with that 6 speed and have problems with towing in 6th gear or towing in general.
So I would say if you have 373 gears and the truck performs well for towing, then it is matched up well. If not, then you need to change gears, or Ford did a **** poor job of designing a diesel truck for towing.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
It is really all a matter of what RPM you have maximum torque at, and how much of that torque curve you have left as vehicle speed (proportional to RPM) increases or decreases before having to change the gear and get back into that torque curve.
So if the 373 does it with the 6 speed trans, then it is setup properly. Example: If you run out of torque at 70 mph pulling a trailer in 6th gear (too high RPM's), then the ratio is too low and you need higher gears. If you run out of torque at 70 mph in 6th gear (too low RPM's), but down shifting to 5th is too high, then you need lower gears.
It's all about application.
If the transmission is designed to handle a load in 6th gear, then I wouldn't worry about the trans. The Allison trans that all the trucks use can handle a load in all the gears, so why can't Ford design one? UNless there really is a problem with that 6 speed and have problems with towing in 6th gear or towing in general.
So I would say if you have 373 gears and the truck performs well for towing, then it is matched up well. If not, then you need to change gears, or Ford did a **** poor job of designing a diesel truck for towing.
So if the 373 does it with the 6 speed trans, then it is setup properly. Example: If you run out of torque at 70 mph pulling a trailer in 6th gear (too high RPM's), then the ratio is too low and you need higher gears. If you run out of torque at 70 mph in 6th gear (too low RPM's), but down shifting to 5th is too high, then you need lower gears.
It's all about application.
If the transmission is designed to handle a load in 6th gear, then I wouldn't worry about the trans. The Allison trans that all the trucks use can handle a load in all the gears, so why can't Ford design one? UNless there really is a problem with that 6 speed and have problems with towing in 6th gear or towing in general.
So I would say if you have 373 gears and the truck performs well for towing, then it is matched up well. If not, then you need to change gears, or Ford did a **** poor job of designing a diesel truck for towing.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
1st gear in the new 6-speed auto is something like 25% lower than the Torqshift, so you don't need the lower gears for low end grunt.
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Thread Starter
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FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
Why did they not just make 6 gear higher! Then they could leave rears the same! 
Thread Starter
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FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
you take all the stress of a drive train and transfer to one component!
The ideal is to spread all the stress out! Look at farm tractor (built for pulling)
Gearing is in the rear, not in front, just my 2 cents.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 4
From: Edmond, OK
Here is part of my post over on the 6.7 forum.
The comparison that Ford did with the 2011 vs. the 2010 Chevy & Dodge had the 3.31 gears.
I think someone posted here or on other site that with the new six speed transmission having lower first and second gears (than the previous 5 speed) the 3.31 in first gear has an overall lower effective total gearing than previous 5 speed with 4.10 gears in first. I haven't personally done the math, but lets give it a shot.
gear 5R110 6R140
1st 3.11 3.97
2nd 2.2 2.32
3rd 1.54 1.52
4th 1.09 1.15
5th .71 .86
6th na .67
early 5R110 had 3.09 first gear
5 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.73 11.60:1
w/ 4.10 12.75
w/ 4.30 13.37
6 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.31 13.14:1
w/ 3.55 14.09
w/ 3.73 14.81
w/ 4.10 16.28
w/ 4.30 17.07
Pretty close with new transmission and 3.31 gears to old transmission w/ 4.30 rear gears as far as overall gear reduction and getting the load moving from a stop; ignoring the additional torque of the new engine.
The comparison that Ford did with the 2011 vs. the 2010 Chevy & Dodge had the 3.31 gears.
I think someone posted here or on other site that with the new six speed transmission having lower first and second gears (than the previous 5 speed) the 3.31 in first gear has an overall lower effective total gearing than previous 5 speed with 4.10 gears in first. I haven't personally done the math, but lets give it a shot.
gear 5R110 6R140
1st 3.11 3.97
2nd 2.2 2.32
3rd 1.54 1.52
4th 1.09 1.15
5th .71 .86
6th na .67
early 5R110 had 3.09 first gear
5 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.73 11.60:1
w/ 4.10 12.75
w/ 4.30 13.37
6 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.31 13.14:1
w/ 3.55 14.09
w/ 3.73 14.81
w/ 4.10 16.28
w/ 4.30 17.07
Pretty close with new transmission and 3.31 gears to old transmission w/ 4.30 rear gears as far as overall gear reduction and getting the load moving from a stop; ignoring the additional torque of the new engine.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, Alaska
So really it's a matter of "Can this transmission handle gobs of engine torque with a load on it?"
So the new 6 speed has better lower gears for starting out and gaining momentum, then it also has slightly lower 4th and 5th for a better downshift into the torque range of the engine while at cruising speeds.
Wonder if the 6th gear is durable enough to tow with or not? Probably wouldn't want to with a large load anyways.
So the new 6 speed has better lower gears for starting out and gaining momentum, then it also has slightly lower 4th and 5th for a better downshift into the torque range of the engine while at cruising speeds.
Wonder if the 6th gear is durable enough to tow with or not? Probably wouldn't want to with a large load anyways.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 102
From: Georgia
I think everybody is drag racing, I'm speaking of power. It doesn't matter how low or high the in line gearing is (within reason), it must be transferred from the in line RPM to the drive wheels. That's done by the differential. It may be a level of power that we would never need, but there is less power to the wheels with a 3.31 diff than with a 3.73 4.10 4.30 or 4.88. Right?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
I think everybody is drag racing, I'm speaking of power. It doesn't matter how low or high the in line gearing is (within reason), it must be transferred from the in line RPM to the drive wheels. That's done by the differential. It may be a level of power that we would never need, but there is less power to the wheels with a 3.31 diff than with a 3.73 4.10 4.30 or 4.88. Right?