Author Topic: Gear ratio question  (Read 2348 times)

Offline BBC78K20

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Gear ratio question
« on: October 18, 2015, 01:38:37 PM »
Hey guys I'm new to the forum and figured I'd ask a question that I can't quite get an answer to. I plan on pulling an enclosed car trailer weighing around 7-8k. I have 37" tires and currently have 4.10s. Its a project for now just wondering if I should go 4.56 or 4.88. Opinions?
1978 K20 on 37's
Mild built 454
4l80e trans
NP241 tcase

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Gear ratio question
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2015, 04:34:11 PM »
ive done some towing with my 79 k20 350/sm465 with 4.10s and 38s. i didnt have a problem. now i didnt pull real heavy loads occasional car trailer and other trailers. one good thing if i needed it i could use 1st gear to get going. and depending on where youre hauling (mountains or planes) would effect the ratio choice also. now in my 91 crew cab with a cummins and 4l80e with 4.10s ive hauled a heavy dump trailer full of trash. the total weight was 12840 lbs. my best estimate of the truck is 7500. i only had 33s, with 37s she would of been a dog even with the cummins. i would at least go with the 4.56. though it might hurt your mpgs but your rpms will only rise a couple hundred more than what they are now at cruising speeds but the less effort when taking off might counter that
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Offline BBC78K20

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Re: Gear ratio question
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2015, 06:24:27 PM »
Ill be pulling through some hills for sure. I bought 4.88's for the front a while back but wasn't sure. With overdrive it might not make much of a difference between the two, not sure. But thanks for the reply!
1978 K20 on 37's
Mild built 454
4l80e trans
NP241 tcase

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Gear ratio question
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2015, 06:30:38 PM »
between the 4.88s and the 4.56 youre only talking about 100 rpms difference. if you already got the front i would get the rear put in and try it out without doing the front that way you can at least sell or return the front
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes