Better towing power for a 6.0L

8.1HD/ALLISON · January 12, 2013

I would image the gear change would do the most for your situation. Electric fans will definately help with fuel ecomony and free some power up, so long and they can keep it cool when towing that much. Thats a lot of work to do to a truck. Can definately understand not wanting a diesel. If you can find an 8.1 and are interested, go for it. I have towed a 25 foot gooseneck with both 8.1, and 6.0 and it is night a day difference. 6.0 I drove was a dog compared to mine. It also had 4.11s and I have 3.73s.

demented · January 13, 2013

My buddy has abone stock 8.1 Liter truck and he pulls a 28 ft tag with his. He has also been in mine and knows what I did to my truck as well. He told me on numberous occasions that my truck has damn near the same amount of power in the take off and acceleration as his truck does. My truck does keep up with his pretty good when we tow together and he is surprised. It know it has a lot to do with the tune up I have in my truck. Thats when we started to compare notes. If my truck was still stock then no problem steping up to an 8.1liter but with what I have I'm not looking to set speed records. The 6.0 does real good for me just looking for a touch more. I have asked him many times to trade up trucks, since I did the tune, he has been thinking about it.

8.1HD/ALLISON · January 13, 2013

You need to tell him to get in touch with Blackbear Performance for a tune. He won't be sorry. I would imagine with all you have done you are right there with him. You said you had 285's? maybe try swapping a set of 265's and go for a test drive that would change your final gear ratio aswell. Be real nice if you had a buddy you could swap tires with for a day and see how it changes it.

Big Whiskey · January 18, 2013

I'd run it in 3rd gear, and slow down....but, I'd be as nervous as a whore in church, if I was pulling 10,000 pounds at 80 mph, haha. Maybe I'm getting too old....oh geeze I hope not....

I guess if you don't want to change your driving habits....or your tire size...then the 4:56 gears would probably get in into the RPM range you want when cruising in 4th gear.

akcooper9 · March 5, 2013

I have an 02 2500hd 6.0 on 285/75's that has 4.56s. The final ratio is 3% stepper then the stock 4.10 and 245 final ratio and its a dream to drive

demented · March 5, 2013

Thats kind of what I have calculated it to be. Its nice to hear from someone that has real world experience on this topic. Do you tow with your truck and if so, how well does it pull? I am thinking this will be my first upgrade soon and see what happens from there.

akcooper9 · March 6, 2013

Thats kind of what I have calculated it to be. Its nice to hear from someone that has real world experience on this topic. Do you tow with your truck and if so, how well does it pull? I am thinking this will be my first upgrade soon and see what happens from there.

Oh yeah I tow with it

If you do the gears, plan on a Blackbear Performance tune because you will have ABS and Brake light issues until the gear ratio and speedo are changed in the computer. Beside the magic he works is well worth the addition mpg and performance.

Ive only got about 400 miles on the gears right now but in 9 days Im towing the below trailer to Dallas (moving) so I'll report back on how it does.

Also here is a link to a speed calculator that is specific to the 4l80e: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49805482/4L80E%20Calc.xls

Its 100% accurate to the speeds and rpms I see. If you need help with the spreed sheet let me know.

KMGZ400 · March 6, 2013

Oh yeah I tow with it

If you do the gears, plan on a Blackbear Performance tune because you will have ABS and Brake light issues until the gear ratio and speedo are changed in the computer. Beside the magic he works is well worth the addition mpg and performance.

Ive only got about 400 miles on the gears right now but in 9 days Im towing the below trailer to Dallas (moving) so I'll report back on how it does.

Also here is a link to a speed calculator that is specific to the 4l80e: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49805482/4L80E%20Calc.xls

Its 100% accurate to the speeds and rpms I see. If you need help with the spreed sheet let me know.

awesome looking truck.. if you want to trade let me know

akcooper9 · March 6, 2013

awesome looking truck.. if you want to trade let me know

Thank you...no thanks

I have a lot of time and effort in the truck. Here is my build report http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/gas-burners/132443-2002-chevy-2500hd.html

akcooper9 · March 20, 2013

Well the verdict is in! The gears were well worth the cost.

Towing in 4th is now very possible from 60+ Truck pulled most hills in 3rd and only dropped into second on the few step hills leaving San Diego on the 8 east.

Towing MPGs have increase by almost 2 MPG for a new average of 9 vs the previous 7!

Ill have an unloaded average after this week as Im using the truck to commute until the wifes car makes it out here next month.

Next mod might have to be a cam

demented · March 21, 2013

That's good news and kind of what I thought would be the end result. How heavy was the trailer you were towing. I know that terrain out of San Diego and its very similar to the terrain I have around here. Its good to know that the gearing is a promising approach to what I want.

akcooper9 · March 21, 2013

That's good news and kind of what I thought would be the end result. How heavy was the trailer you were towing. I know that terrain out of San Diego and its very similar to the terrain I have around here. Its good to know that the gearing is a promising approach to what I want.

The trailer I towed to Texas is pictured above. Empty the sticker says '6580' but i had 30 gallons of water, 14 gallons, fuel, clothes etc so I was probably close to 7K+ pounds.

This is the second truck I've had geared and its the only way to over come bigger tires or improve towing