Gear ratios and tow ratings
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Joined: May 2003
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Gear ratios and tow ratings
Just trying to determine if changing my gear ratio (currently 3.73) on my 1997 E-250 with the 5.4 engine will help with towing. I'm max'd out pulling my 7000 lb travel trailer and was wondering if a swap would take some of the strain off the engine. I've heard of people doing it and they say it will increase your tow rating by "X" lbs. How is this number determined? Is there a rule of thumb that say if you increase from 3.73 to 4.10 you gain so much or from 3.73. to 4.30 you gain this much? ANy help would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Dixie
Take a look in the towing guide for your truck and check the different ratings for the different ratios. This will give you the answer that you need.
And yes, changing the ratio will definately increase the towing capacity.
Good Luck
And yes, changing the ratio will definately increase the towing capacity.
Good Luck
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
The tow rating, in this context anyway, is just a guideline number. Gear ratios are always a tradeoff between mileage and power. You trade one for the other, generally speaking. You could put 4.10's in, and it will tow better. 4.30's will tow better yet - at the cost of gas mileage.
The question is how much are you looking to tow? With a 3/4 ton van, you have the frame, suspension and brakes to tow up to 10k or so safely. The gear ratio that you pick depends on how fast you want to go up hills. With a 5.4 towing 10,000 lbs, it's going to struggle no matter what gears are in it, but the lower the gears the better.
lower gears = numerically higher
The question is how much are you looking to tow? With a 3/4 ton van, you have the frame, suspension and brakes to tow up to 10k or so safely. The gear ratio that you pick depends on how fast you want to go up hills. With a 5.4 towing 10,000 lbs, it's going to struggle no matter what gears are in it, but the lower the gears the better.
lower gears = numerically higher
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
As long as the frame, suspension, and tranny are good enough, you can increase your towing capability. I don't know youir specific car, but at least with a Bronco, trucks with the relatively rare 4.11 gear had higher tow rating.
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