Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="gone_fishing" data-source="post: 289852" data-attributes="member: 708">With these 10 speed autos, I don't think having a lowest rear axle ratio available is as big of deal as it used to be (for towing purposes). With 10 speeds to work with, the transmission should be able to find a ratio that gives a good balance of power and economy. The ratio spread is a lot larger too (between 1st and final). Not like the old 3 or 4 speed days where you get maybe 2 non-overdrive gears to choose from for cruising (since most don't tow in OD..at least nothing heavy). 3rd gear might not be enough but 2nd gear shot the RPM's through the roof! Since you didn't have anything in between, it helped to have a lower axle ratio to help increase your RPM's and get torque to the ground (making 3rd gear more manageable). Also, these turbo gas engines have almost diesel like torque curves so they don't have to rev as much to make power compared to a NA gas engine. This gives you a wider power band to work with.I don't know about the Fords but on some GM 1/2 ton models, going with the lower rear axle increases towing capacity (by a couple thousand pounds even). If it's the same way in the Fords, this might be worth looking into depending on how much you plan to tow. I doubt there is much difference in economy between these two choices anyways since they are so close together mathematically.</blockquote>