[JAM7]

I'm debating whether to order a 148 medium roof with the 3.5 eco with the 3.31 or 3.73 limited slip rear end. Do you guys think mpg's would be affected that much with the 3.73?

 

[Red Van Man]

The RPM will be slightly higher with the 3:73.
I ordered the 3:73 because I'll be towing my travel trailer quite a lot.

Cheers,
Dave.

 

[Epps]

If your driving around 50% in town/city it may help getting the 3:73 gears. Highway with light loads get the 3:31.


Epps


















5

 

[star gazer]

I will be pulling a small Trailer, less than 3000lbs so I ordered the 3.31 with the EB. Hope I did the right thing but this will be about 1/2 the tow rating so went with it.

 

[bobojay]

All good advice, but me, if I was towing anything over say 1500lbs, or any chance I would, I'd do the 3.73. Mileage difference will be negligible I'd think with that 6 spd

 

[carnut]

3.73 made sense with the 4spd transmissions in the older trucks. It's overkill with the ecoboost and 6spd IMO unless you need maximum towing capacity.

 

[PeterR]

3.73 made sense with the 4spd transmissions in the older trucks. It's overkill with the ecoboost and 6spd IMO unless you need maximum towing capacity.

Exactly . . .

 

[PeterR]

I'm debating whether to order a 148 medium roof with the 3.5 eco with the 3.31 or 3.73 limited slip rear end. Do you guys think mpg's would be affected that much with the 3.73?

JAM2 welcome to the forum. The search function here is quite good. If you put "3.31 3.73" in the Search box at the upper right, you will find many other previous threads in which this issue has been discussed.

Personally, I am going with the 3.31 because, like star gazer, my max. trailer weight will be around 3,000 lbs., although my Wagon can go up to 5,000 +/-. [130" WB low roof loaded with options -- link below]

carnut just summed it up nicely IMO.

My Wagon FYI:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/dealers-purchases-orders/5274-xlt-wagon-ordered.html

 

[JAM7]

Thanks for the reply's. I am an electrical contractor and carry about 1500-2000lbs of equipment and ladders. I will not be towing anything. I'm thinking the 3.31 will be fine for me.

 

[Damaskinos_of_Athens]

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transitcommercial/specifications/towing/

Every different combination has a max tow rating, so that should be kept in mind.

Maybe you should consider what the maximum is that you want to tow.

2015 Ford Transit Commercial Full-Size Van | Towing Specs | Ford.com

 

[Damaskinos_of_Athens]

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transitcommercial/specifications/towing/

To elaborate:

The maximum tow rating for a Transit varies from 2900 pounds to 7500 pounds, depending on axle, engine and van type.

I think you might want to consider what the maximum is that you may rarely want to tow instead of what you typically tow.


2015 Ford Transit Commercial Full-Size Van | Towing Specs | Ford.com

 

[hammerdown]

With the tall overdriven 6th gear in transmission, I think the 3.73 is an advantage even at highway speeds. Remember having the engine spinning a little faster does not always equate to using more fuel. Here's a link to a very handy ratio calculator. Just manually punch in the transmission ratios for the 6r80. The over drive of .68 to 1 is the one you want for estimating your cruising rpms. Then punch in your tire size of 235/60/16 and you're off to the races. IMO 3.31 with a .68 overdrive is too deep. I drove a diesel with the 3.31 and it dropped a gear going up a highway grade at about 65-70mph. The ecoboost makes it's torque a little higher up in the revs than the diesel. I'd go 3.73. And it'll be even quicker off the line and around town.

Link.

Racing Calculators

 

[turnoffthelights]

Thanks for the reply's. I am an electrical contractor and carry about 1500-2000lbs of equipment and ladders. I will not be towing anything. I'm thinking the 3.31 will be fine for me.

Hey JAM7- I own a contracting company and carry a minimum of 1,000 lbs at all times. I just drove from El Centro (sea level) over to San Diego 4000 feet of elevation with my 3.31 and 3.5 motor. Held 70-75 mph without one downshift. 3.31 gears all the way. It is amazing how normal cars can't even keep pace with me on steep grades at higher elevations. I don't tow but I max out cargo all the time. Really recommend limited slip diff when backing up steep driveways. You will need it.