Community Forums

tpaul · 10-25-2020, 07:53 PM

It sounds like many are recommending the 3.73 axle ratio but when ordered that way you lose the Max Towing Package which includes a larger gas tank and "heavier" differential but drops back to a 3.55 ratio. Very confused as to the better option. Is there really that much difference in performance with the higher axle ratio given that they are both now using the 10 speed transmission?

nicky8668 · 10-25-2020, 08:47 PM

Don’t think you’ll have any problem with the 3.55 and 10 speed. It’s almost the same gearing ratio as 3.73 and 6 speed. The 10 speed has a lower first.

tuffr2 · 10-26-2020, 04:04 AM

I would venture to say that 3:73 gears in a 6 speed equal 3:55 gears in a 10 speed. There are people that study these things more than I do.

But my thought is 3:55 gears are the new good towing gears with the 10 speed.

swavescatter · 10-26-2020, 06:02 AM

Configure however you need to get the heavy duty payload package and max tow. 3.55’s should be fine if that’s what the Ford engineers spec. Sometimes in the configurator you can change gear ratios deeper down in the options - specifying certain features upfront can break the configurations allowed.

Goodspike · 10-26-2020, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpaul

It sounds like many are recommending the 3.73 axle ratio but when ordered that way you lose the Max Towing Package which includes a larger gas tank and "heavier" differential but drops back to a 3.55 ratio. Very confused as to the better option. Is there really that much difference in performance with the higher axle ratio given that they are both now using the 10 speed transmission?

I would go even further and note that trucks used to only have 3 or maybe 4 speed transmissions. Rear end ratios meant a lot then, not so much now. It would be interesting to see how 1st and top gear ratios in those old transmissions compared to a modern 10 speed, but I would guess that the modern 10 speed not only has more gears but also a wider range of gears at both ends.

tuffr2 · 10-26-2020, 09:06 AM

Goodspike - those were bad memories.

I drove 3 speed, 3 speed with overdrive (AKA a 4 speed) 5 speed and maxed out with a 6 speed (So far).

The 3 speed lasted 30 years I think. 4 speed lasted 10 years. 5 speed lasted 5 years. 6 speed is about 10 years old and is still being used. 10 speed is 3 years old.