[kir_kenix]

So I sold off my 2012 Dodge 1 ton (I actually made a profit as far as the IRS is concerned...bummer) and bought a 2004 F250 6.0 diesel by trading in my gutless 2012 Canyon. I know that the 6.0 has a horrible track record for reliability, but I think the aftermarket has taken care of most of the problems when they arise. Picked up this truck with only 16,000 miles...basically brand new.

Now I rarely drive any of the farm trucks unless I'm pulling something or going to get something to pull, so I've never really had a need for a fuel log that can't account for pulling a 12,000 stock trailer, 12 round hay bales, or a dump trailer full of gravel. However, in the last year or so we've been hauling most of the cattle for my father-in-law, and I've seen roughly 100% increase in lightly loaded/unloaded miles heading over to get his cattle and pulling an empty trailer back from the sale barn.

The truck is an auto, supercab, 4x4, with ~3.73 rear end. I run 265/75/16 E rated tires. Will not switch to a manual unfortunately, as my wife has difficulty pulling a trailer and jockeying gears at the same time.

Gear Vendor has a set up for my 5R110W tranny that results in a final ratio of 2.06 vs 2.65 stock (Part #3D0273K). Trans ratio in 5th would go from .71 to .55. It retails for about $3,300, but I see them new from time to time in the $2,500 range. I have heard a lot of hoopla about people claiming 15-20% increase while utilizing the double overdrive lightly loaded. This would be a huge, but as efficiently as I drive now, I doubt I will see that much improvement.

Where I really get burnt economy wise is heading to another state to pick up a couple bred heifers or a lease bull that I will return at the end of the season. On these trips I might go 500 or so miles in one direction with only 3,000lb trailer. My problem is knowing for sure that I could utilize the double overdrive in these conditions due to the aero drag of a massive truck pulling basically a sail. Keep in mind I live in Nebraska, so it is pretty darn flat.

If I can utilize the double overdrive, I could justify picking up more quality cattle without worrying about how much diesel I'm burning. It would effectively make every purchase a little bit cheaper as my operating costs would be lower. I would also haul my neighbors cattle to the sale barn more often if I could save a couple gallons coming back empty and make a few more dollars doing it.

Any of you experienced diesel guys have any ideas on whether this unit is usable in the conditions I've outlined? The final drive improvement should be worth somewhere between 2-2.75 mpg IF I can stay in that drive ratio on the highway. I think it would definitely help 1st thru 3rd gear accelerating when I don't need the stump pulling low ratios that Ford (thankfully) offered in my truck, but I don't spend enough time in these gears to justify the expense on that alone.

I know that Big Dave and a few others have the unit, but if anybody could chime in about the viability of actually being able to utilize the unit while pulling an empty sail of a trailer would really help me out.

Forgot to add, I put about 20,000-22,000 miles on the diesels each year, and would expect maybe 2,000 miles unloaded and maybe 4,000 with an empty or nearly empty trailer.