Not good at gear ratio, and fuel mileage. 3:21 gears

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Phumac, Sep 11, 2018.

  1. Phumac

    Phumac Light Load Member

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    Hi. Thinking about purchasing a truck. 2014 Freightliner Cascadia With a Detroit DD 13 with a 3:21 gear ratio. I don’t really understand the whole gear ratio thing yet . Is this OK ? I pretty much just run Kentucky to Chicago and back . Thoughts?
    Thank you
     
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  3. Arkansas

    Arkansas Medium Load Member

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    What Transmission ?
     
  4. Phumac

    Phumac Light Load Member

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    It’s a 10 speed . That’s all I know so far.
     
  5. Arkansas

    Arkansas Medium Load Member

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    Your gonna have a big gap between 9 and 10. It will be ok. But won't pull hills the best.
     
  6. Phumac

    Phumac Light Load Member

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    Ok thank you. Will it do ok with gas mileage?
     
  7. Arkansas

    Arkansas Medium Load Member

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    Not sure about fuel mileage.
     
  8. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    The only way to know that really is try it, in theory it should be but you never know.
     
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  9. ChicagoJohn

    ChicagoJohn Road Train Member

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    A 3.21 rear isn't going to scream up a hill, but you should be able to get good fuel millage.

    As rule, the lower ratio (3.21, 3.36, 2.64, 3.42) the better you'll do fuel economy wise and they're fine for flat land.
    The higher ratio (3.73, 3.90, 4.11 +) you'll climb better but "to out" earlier and at highway speeds have a higher rpm. Heavy haulers would fall into this category. They don't need to hail ###, but need help getting up to speed.

    I've always heard a 3.55 is about the beast all around rear gearing. But again, it's really going to depend on what the application is.
     
  10. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Pretty good all round answer. 3:42 to 3:58 gearing, you can't go too far wrong. Research your gearbox final drive ratio just in case.
     
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  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Take the serial number to the dealer, ask them specifically what 10 speed is in the truck and then walk up to the front sales area and ask them where the sweet spot of the engine is with that trans and rear end. This is where you want the truck to operate at for mileage.
     
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