Looking to buy a 04.5 manual trans 3500 4x4 truck for towing horses, 80 percent driving at interstate speeds.

Which would be the best gear ratio, 4:10 or 3:73?

 

What kind of weight are you taking about? How often do you tow? How important is gas mileage? These will help.

 

It's actually for a friend at work that has horses. I think it is a four horse trailer, I would guess 15 to 20000 pounds loaded with everything.

 

I have an auto but really like my 4.10's for towing the Jayco around. It weighs a little over 8000# and at 75mpg I showed 12-13 mpg via the console. Not too bad for hauling butt

 

I just got back from picking up a '04.5 Quad Cab 4x4 DRW w/ 3.73 6-speed. I will be pulling a 15K 5er (I pick that up on Thursday).

I'll let you know how it goes...if you can wait a couple of days...

 

I like my 4.10's pulling the boat. My Gross weight is around 17.5k.

 

He is in no real big hurry and I am sure he will appreciate the results.

 

I have 4:10s and a 6 speed and love mine, im seeing 12-14mpg towing my 10klb toy hauler averaging 65mph. with 31" tires. @2200rpms

 

Anything over 10K and I would go with the 4.10's. just my .02$

 

My .02. I pull a 4 horse gooseneck out here in the mtns. and on freeway. My 01 was 6 spd. w/ 3.54's and 295 BFG's. My 04.5 6 spd. is 3.73 w/ 315 BFG's. I never have a problem maintaining speed or power. I test drove a 04 w/ 4.10's before ordering my current truck and the rpm's at hwy speed were just too high. For your area, I'd recommend 3.73's w/ a 6 spd. and 4.10's if w/ an auto.

 

AUTO 4.10

6spd 3.73.

Unless you are towing 40,000 lbs. you don't need 4.10 with a 6spd.

according to rough calcs, in 6th gear at 2000 RPM youre about 68 MPH with 3.73 and 2200 RPM at 68 mph with 4.10s.

 

From what I have seen, I prefer the 4.10's with the stick for towing heavy especially when operating at slow speeds or manuvering. The lower gear helps when reversing too. As far as towing 15-20k, auto or stick, if you had a choice I wouldn't even consider 3.73's - that is alot of weight. I'm not saying you can't do it with 3.73's, but at that weight, the more gear the better as far as I am concerned. All geared up, I am grossing 18,200 lbs and I sometimes think 4.10's would be nice (I only have 3.54's) but I spend most of my time empty.

Just my .02

 

I have an auto in mine with 3.73 gears. The combined weight is 19,880 according to CAT scales. Last month we went 4500 miles from Texas to Vermont and back and it pulled great.

 

My 99 has the 3:54 gears and I have pulled 26000 with it and no problems at all. It looks like a mix of about 50 / 50 as to what gears to get.

 

For towing that weight, definitely a six speed with 4.10 axle. I pull heavy and wouldn't have it any other way.