Gear ratio how heavy

When I moved construction equipment I was at a 3.43 in a Mack with mp10 engine with a 6 speed Allison auto pulled like a champ unsure about fuel mileage though. My guess is though you are gonna have to decide as an O/O if you want fuel mileage or the power. If there is enough 100 k loads paying a premium for the extra fuel as in my experience cat engines always suck up fuel. That was at just under 130k and it was limited to 72mph.

 

Al do you have 24.5's or 22? I'm at 3.70's but have the small rubber. Like you, sometimes have to lift the 140K in a soft yard. Those times I wish I had my old Volvo with 4.30's and 24.5's.

 

Looks like you've done quite a bit of work to her already. It feels good to hear your old girl's still a head turner, doesn't it? The gauges and interior look great! I don't normally like grass burners, but I like the truck. Thanks for the pics.

Your truck should be fine. Just be sure to start off in granny when heavier than say 90k or on an incline. Should be minimal shock to the drivetrain. An 18 would help you walk out of a hole, but I wouldn't change transmissions unless the 10 grenades.

What is your wheelbase? 230?

 

highwolf that is a beautiful t600. agreed on the paint, love it. i have the same truck wit a mxs c15 and 3.25 gears 10 spd and getting 6.4 MPg avg

i should also add im usually avg 78k gross and runnint CA so lots of hills/mtns

 

I have 24.5's. My last truck had 22.5's with 4.11's, but it was only a 450 hp Mercedes, but it always made it out of the field.

 

Highwolf, were you the fella that was asking about getting another truck a while back? I told you then and I'll tell you again...nice ride.

All good advice above but one thing that (IMO) didn't get mentioned, I believe, the ring gear, pinion, drive shaft and U-joints take more stress as the rear end ratios go numerically lower. As you lose mechanical advantage, it's harder and harder to get the rear axle moving. Even if you change to a lower 1st gear, you still transfer load to the U-joints and ring and pinion. The ring and pinion is really where the rubber meets the road LOL.