to gear or not to gear???

[sandman911]

I need some advice... I've got a 7.3 with 3:73 gears, 8in lift and 37's. My toy hauler is close to 13,500 when loaded and my tranny seems to down shift alot. I have a John Wood billet trans that can handle my chip and the load, but would like to know what ratio would help me out. Or... is it worth the cost of a re-gear?

 

[patrickc]

Re-gearing my truck was one of the best mods I have done yet. My stock gears were 3:73's and I re-geared with 4:56's which put my trucks rpms and shift characteristics back close to stock running 38 inch tires. I best ratio for your truck is probably 4:56's.

 

[WD40]

Welcome Sandman911, Glad to have you here.
You don't say where you are from or what truck you are driving, but from what I see the 4:56 sounds about right for the tires you are running.

 

[sandman911]

Thanks Guys!

I love the forum and apprieciate the advise! I think I'll look into the cost of the re-gear.

I live in So Cal and I'm Driving a '01 7.3 PSD with an 8in lift, 4in Turbo back RBP exhaust, intake, Evolution programmer, extra capacity diff and trans covers, gauges, larger trans coolers and a John Wood custom trans.

 

[sandman911]

Man.... what a difference the gearing makes! I bit the bullet and put in the 4:56 superiors front and rear. I have my programmer set on the "tow mode" and it feels like its set a click above! I can't wait to see how it tows. I've put about 1000 miles on it so I should be good to go. Patrickc, what are your rpms at around 65? I seem to be around 2100 to 2200. Thanks again for the suggestions guys!

Rich

 

[Sawboy]

I have 4.30's in my 350 and at 62 the rpms are 2000. That is on stock tires. You are where you should be rpm wise I would think.

Oh yeah, and congrats on the upgrade!

 

[patrickc]

Rich, Cruising at 65 mph my rpms sit right around 2000.

 

[Brad B]

All you guys's RPM's seem high. I run abouit 73 mph at 2000. Why do you think that is? No clue what my gear ratio is.

 

[DaveBen]

You have 3.73 if you can run about 70 at 2000 rpm.

Dave

 

[WD40]

Rich, I think you will enjoy pulling your RV again. You should slip right on over them hills out there. I know it cost a lot to get this done but it will be worth it if you keep the truck for a long time.