2500 6.0 4.10 Rpms And Shift Points

Bear68 · February 21, 2011

I am getting used to the 6.0 with 4.10 gear ratio and can not wait to pull our camper...can someone tell me or point me to a website with what the rpm's should be at a particular speed and when shifting gears take place? thanks in advance

Shatterz · February 21, 2011

Not sure of a place or site that is going to tell you this. Can you expand on what you are trying to figure out? Maybe we can help you with some more detail to your inquiry.

Stevens03 · February 22, 2011

I'll bet those 4.10 gears coupled with the 6-speeds a beast I know the 3.73's rock.. so the 4.10's would even be more ferocious under full throttle.

Bear68 · February 22, 2011

Sorry for the vague question ...from reading all the threads the rpm's are higher with the 4.10 and maybe that is what is taking me some time to get use to in driving this beast, but it seems like when I am on the highway approaching 55 or 60 mph, in order for the transmission to shift into 6th gear, I have to let off the gas some. For example...what should the rpm's be at 55? at 45 mph? etc. Does 6th gear kick in at 55, 60, 70?

Like I mentioned, I am really looking forward to hooking the camper up and loading the family this spring for camping...

markw8 · February 22, 2011

You might not get 6th as soon as you think. I believe 5th is also an overdrive. Depending on how heavy your trailer is you might rarely see 6th while in tow/haul mode. There will be a noticable difference when in or out of tow/haul. Loaded and empty.

Mark

Mike2500HD · February 22, 2011

Sorry for the vague question ...from reading all the threads the rpm's are higher with the 4.10 and maybe that is what is taking me some time to get use to in driving this beast, but it seems like when I am on the highway approaching 55 or 60 mph, in order for the transmission to shift into 6th gear, I have to let off the gas some. For example...what should the rpm's be at 55? at 45 mph? etc. Does 6th gear kick in at 55, 60, 70?
Like I mentioned, I am really looking forward to hooking the camper up and loading the family this spring for camping...

It really sounds like its in tow haul mode. It shouldnt really be running up to any higher rpm before shifting simply because you have lower gears. It will be turning higher rpm at the same speed in the same gear when compared to 3.73's. But it shouldnt be requiring you to back out in order to shift into 6th unless its in tow haul or you have a heavy load. In fact when running along empty it should be getting into top gear at a lower speed compared to 3.73's. My '07 with 3.73's and 6 speed shifts right up into 6th so quick it pisses me off and I end up running in manual mode to stop it from upshifting so fast it lugs the engine down. My truck under low load will upshift to 6th before 50 mph. You should be pleased towing with your new truck with the 4.10's. I towed my boat. Boat, motor, and trailer at around 5,000 lbs. and my 2500, 6.0, 6 spd, 3.73's, 4x4 barely seemed to even feel it.

music · February 22, 2011

I just now updated a spreadsheet I have and printed it to PDF. Someone may want to double-check the numbers, but maybe it will be helpful.

6L80_90_rpm_vs_speed.pdf

K20and2500HD · February 22, 2011

My 6.0 , 6L90E with 3.73 loves to run in 5th gear around 55 to 60. I cruise a lot at 58 mph, and I have to back of the accelerator to get it to shift into 6th a lot. In my town the speed limit is 35 mph my truck runs in 4th gear around 2100 rpm won't shift into fifth until about 45 mph. By the way at 55-60 I run 2000-2100 rpm in 5th and 1500-1600 in 6th. I find that I like running the higher rpm at the lower speeds that way I have the power when I need it, must be the 6L90 tranny. My buddy has 10' 1500 5.3/6L80 and he says his shifts into the highest gear it can as fast as it can, except for of course 6th gear, which is because it is a second overdrive. Just my experiences

greezy · February 22, 2011

My 6.0 , 6L90E with 3.73 loves to run in 5th gear around 55 to 60. I cruise a lot at 58 mph, and I have to back of the accelerator to get it to shift into 6th a lot. In my town the speed limit is 35 mph my truck runs in 4th gear around 2100 rpm won't shift into fifth until about 45 mph. By the way at 55-60 I run 2000-2100 rpm in 5th and 1500-1600 in 6th. I find that I like running the higher rpm at the lower speeds that way I have the power when I need it, must be the 6L90 tranny. My buddy has 10' 1500 5.3/6L80 and he says his shifts into the highest gear it can as fast as it can, except for of course 6th gear, which is because it is a second overdrive. Just my experiences

X'2 on that. Mine does almost the same. My truck only has 450 mi. When I'm at 50 mph it's still in 5th gear. I have to back off the throttle to let it shift to 6th. My last truck Tundra 5.7 would shift into 6th at 45mph when casual driving. I assume for better gas mileage purposes. It's just the GM 6sp holds the 5th gear longer. This truck drives totally different than the Tundra cause that is what the OP had. I'm still trying to get used to the gas pedal as it's quite abit stiffer than the Tundras. I'm averaging 16mpg right now unloaded so I'm very happy.

music · February 22, 2011

I'm still trying to get used to the gas pedal as it's quite abit stiffer than the Tundras. I'm averaging 16mpg right now unloaded so I'm very happy.

I'd say that everything is stiffer, except maybe the seats. I like the Tundra myself, but the 2500HD/6.0 is a lot more truck (not power... steel). I'd be curious to hear your opinion between the two for towing/hauling a load, and just "in general".

Shatterz · February 22, 2011

My 6.0 , 6L90E with 3.73 loves to run in 5th gear around 55 to 60. I cruise a lot at 58 mph, and I have to back of the accelerator to get it to shift into 6th a lot. In my town the speed limit is 35 mph my truck runs in 4th gear around 2100 rpm won't shift into fifth until about 45 mph. By the way at 55-60 I run 2000-2100 rpm in 5th and 1500-1600 in 6th. I find that I like running the higher rpm at the lower speeds that way I have the power when I need it, must be the 6L90 tranny. My buddy has 10' 1500 5.3/6L80 and he says his shifts into the highest gear it can as fast as it can, except for of course 6th gear, which is because it is a second overdrive. Just my experiences

This is exactly how my truck shifts as well.

Big D's H D · February 22, 2011

My '09 chevy 2500HD 6.0w/ 6sp./ 4.10's ,is acting the same way as far as the shifting into 6 gear. I've read on here and other places ,also in the owners manual that the new 6sp.trans. is computer controled and it will shift,accelerete,downshift diferently and change constantly, due to temp.,throttle input, load, etc. This happens either in tow-haul or not! The computer is matching shift points with this info. to obtain max torque and fuel mileage.

I've owned many trucks,and this beast is awsume! It also took me some time to get use to the strange habits of Allison inspired 6spd. found in the 6.0 gas trucks. The best advice is to just drive the way ya always due and let the comp. customize it self to your style of driving. My to cents

pknoerzer · February 22, 2011

I just now updated a spreadsheet I have and printed it to PDF. Someone may want to double-check the numbers, but maybe it will be helpful.

I think the axle revs/mile should be 659 for that size tire(265/70R17)

Any chance of posting the spreadsheet file or emailing it? It would be nice to try different tire sizes.

BTW - my 2007 shifts into fifth at 35-40 with no load and 6th at 45.

Bear68 · February 23, 2011

My 6.0 , 6L90E with 3.73 loves to run in 5th gear around 55 to 60. I cruise a lot at 58 mph, and I have to back of the accelerator to get it to shift into 6th a lot. In my town the speed limit is 35 mph my truck runs in 4th gear around 2100 rpm won't shift into fifth until about 45 mph. By the way at 55-60 I run 2000-2100 rpm in 5th and 1500-1600 in 6th. I find that I like running the higher rpm at the lower speeds that way I have the power when I need it, must be the 6L90 tranny. My buddy has 10' 1500 5.3/6L80 and he says his shifts into the highest gear it can as fast as it can, except for of course 6th gear, which is because it is a second overdrive. Just my experiences

X'2 on that. Mine does almost the same. My truck only has 450 mi. When I'm at 50 mph it's still in 5th gear. I have to back off the throttle to let it shift to 6th. My last truck Tundra 5.7 would shift into 6th at 45mph when casual driving. I assume for better gas mileage purposes. It's just the GM 6sp holds the 5th gear longer. This truck drives totally different than the Tundra cause that is what the OP had. I'm still trying to get used to the gas pedal as it's quite abit stiffer than the Tundras. I'm averaging 16mpg right now unloaded so I'm very happy.

I think I am still getting use to this truck...my former truck was the Tundra and it did shift differently. This Sierra is alot more truck and as I have been saying I can not wait to pull with it and to put it in tow/haul mode for the first time. I appreciate everyone's feedback...very helpful...this round is on me!

Mike2500HD · February 23, 2011

My 6.0 , 6L90E with 3.73 loves to run in 5th gear around 55 to 60. I cruise a lot at 58 mph, and I have to back of the accelerator to get it to shift into 6th a lot. In my town the speed limit is 35 mph my truck runs in 4th gear around 2100 rpm won't shift into fifth until about 45 mph. By the way at 55-60 I run 2000-2100 rpm in 5th and 1500-1600 in 6th. I find that I like running the higher rpm at the lower speeds that way I have the power when I need it, must be the 6L90 tranny. My buddy has 10' 1500 5.3/6L80 and he says his shifts into the highest gear it can as fast as it can, except for of course 6th gear, which is because it is a second overdrive. Just my experiences

This is exactly how my truck shifts as well.

I wish my 07 held 5th... I have to use manual mode or it will upshift into 6th at 45 even when I'm pulling a hill. Then it lugs and will actually loose speed unless I hit the gas hard enough, then it downshifts 2 gears and takes off like hell. Then if I let off just a bit it scoots right back to 6th and starts lugging again. I thought about a Big Bear tune but Ive just gotten used to using manual. Its no bother and I kind of like deciding what gear I want. Im not sure how the BB tune effects shifting but I read a few threads stating it made a big difference. In tow haul pulling the boat it shifts flawlessly and is always in the right gear. Only complaint there is going down hill if you hit the brakes it downshifts to help by engine breaking. Thats good but sometimes it shifts way down and winds the crap out of the engine. I found myself tapping out of tow haul when coasting down hill.