If you took a Powerstroke F-350 dually with a 4:10 rear and the same truck with a Duramax diesel with a 3:73 rear and it also was a dually and both trucks were giving a equal heavy trailor which one would perform better?The reason why I ask is because in a year or two I might make the switch to Chevy/GMC.I'm concerned about the 6.0 problems and the new 6.4 scares me to death.I would think that the 4:10 would tow much better.I wish GM would put a 4:10 behind the Duramax diesel.Also has the IFS been holdingup well compared to the solid mono-beam setup.Thanks Joe waytogo
The 4.10 will pull out of the hole a little bit quicker, and *might* pull the grades better, but with either motor and truck, you have a serious towing setup. As for the IFS vs monobeam debate, in stock form both are going to perform very well, with the IFS possibly giving a little bit better ride.
I agree in general, just want to add that you really don't want 4.10s in a diesel that runs interstate speeds. I put 33" tires on mine specifically to lower rpms a bit when running 75+. 4.10 would have the rpms way to high, killing fuel mileage and possibly being off the back side of the torque curve depending on the engine. I would go 4.10 only for a "pit truck" or farm vehicle that mostly moves heavy stuff around at low speed and pretty much never gets on the interstate. PS/DMax, GM/Ford, etc. is mostly a matter of preference. IFS rides and drives a bit better, particularly on rough roads (in large part due to MUCH less unsprung weight as well as variable geometry). But IFS costs a lot more to lift if you're into that sort of thing. And durability suffers with lift and large tires, but 100-200k miles is quite possible with routine maintenance at stock spec (no lift). About the only serious "wear item" I know of it the idler arms (particularly on the LD pickups) and some tie rod ends to a lesser extent. I know trucks regularly doing 4WD launches at the drag strip and over 100k on the clock with no front end issues.
Good point about the 4.10s. I run my truck on the highway alot and am always wishin for 3.73s. The application will really dictate what gearing requirements are needed. All in all, any of the big 3 trucks will work well as a tow vehicle.
Whichever truck has the computer set higher. With the continued race of who can program the most power, it would matter more of what year, and in that year which engine had the highest powered programing.
I got 4.10s on my truck so I could put a little bit larger tires on it down the road and still have good gearing. It runs fine at 70 on the freeway, right at about 2200 RPM or so which isn't bad for the PSD.
Hey Shag, could your manual tranny have something to do with that? Does the manual have a lower final drive than the auto?
