Install a transfer case backwards?

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

It still begs the question, why install a ridiculously low final drive and have a backwards transfer case to allow freeway use when you could have normal gears and the transfer case mounted correctly and have the towing when it was needed?

I don't know if the front driveline is friendly to being run with the hubs unlocked for long. Also my owners manual says that the low range isn't to be used at more than 25 mph, which is about where usual cruising RPM puts you in 5th gear while in low range.

That said, maybe put higher rear gears and a second transfer case with no front driveline attached?

[19bonestock88]

How fast are you wanting to go with such a heavy load?

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

How fast are you wanting to go with such a heavy load?

I pull my camper at about 55, but in direct drive in theory if I had a little bit lower final drive I could get into overdrive with it at that speed. I could also get into overdrive if I drove 70 but I don't care to go that fast

[me and my metro]

I built an 84 GMC Crewcab 1 ton pickup using a Suburban frame. So it has a 5 1/2 foot custom bed. I used a 6.5 Diesel without a turbo, I had a custom 700r4 built using 5 pinion planets in both low and second. It has 4:56 gears with a Detroit locker in the 10.5” full floating rear end. I tow a 10,000 lb pull trailer in overdrive all the time. The truck will cruise at 75 on the freeway if needed solo, but it tows the trailer at 60-65 just fine. What are you really trying to do? This works setup works great and has been on the road since 2005 just like this. I used to tow the same trailer with a Burb with 3:73 gears but had to tow in direct not overdrive.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

I built an 84 GMC Crewcab 1 ton pickup using a Suburban frame. So it has a 5 1/2 foot custom bed. I used a 6.5 Diesel without a turbo, I had a custom 700r4 built using 5 pinion planets in both low and second. It has 4:56 gears with a Detroit locker in the 10.5” full floating rear end. I tow a 10,000 lb pull trailer in overdrive all the time. The truck will cruise at 75 on the freeway if needed solo, but it tows the trailer at 60-65 just fine. What are you really trying to do? This works setup works great and has been on the road since 2005 just like this. I used to tow the same trailer with a Burb with 3:73 gears but had to tow in direct not overdrive.

Trying to do? Mainly brain storm, but in theory I'd like to get a little better solo fuel economy out of this pickup while still being able to tow my trailer. Maybe it's a pipe dream.

BTW I have a 302 gas, which frankly is a car engine and that's half my problem. If I had a 300, 460, or better yet a 7.3 diesel I'd be in great shape.

[me and my metro]

If I lived in North Dakota my truck would have a 454 and 3:73 gears. I would tow in drive and ***** about 6 mpg towing and 11 solo. My Diesel gets 11 towing and 17 solo but the weather in Oregon and Washington is much milder. Pick your battles, I wouldn’t want to deal with a Diesel in below zero weather.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

If I lived in North Dakota my truck would have a 454 and 3:73 gears. I would tow in drive and ***** about 6 mpg towing and 11 solo. My Diesel gets 11 towing and 17 solo but the weather in Oregon and Washington is much milder. Pick your battles, I wouldn’t want to deal with a Diesel in below zero weather.

I got the pickup first for a good price, in good shape. The camper came later, again in good shape for a good price. The pickup was originally used mainly to haul building supplies in the bed. I'm not one to switch cars a lot, as I like to know what I'm dealing with, and I've had this pickup for 3+ years now and it's been a champ.

That said, my solo MPG is about 12, towing my big camper 6-8, towing in drive at 50-55 mph. The fact that this rig is 4wd, with oversized "mud" tires and a front lift kit probably kill about 20% of my fuel economy, but I'm going to be switching back to stock tire size and removing the lift here shortly. Maybe that will fix my issues.

There are good ways to mitigate the woes of diesel engines in cold weather, the easiest being drive something else when its worse than -20.