Re: [A/S] increasing gear ratio in tow vehicle

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Susan,

I've been told that it would improve my vehicle performance if I change the
rear end to 4.11 from my present 3 whatever.  I note the same performance
situation with my 350 '91 conversion van that you do; however, I note the
same performance without towing?  My '87 seemed to have much more power and
would drive up and down the Rockies at 80 + MPH with a full load and no
towing.  I have an idea that it's related to the exhaust/carburetion/etc.
It tows my Safari on level ground, but it's no picnic.

A local shop will change the rear for about $500.  It's not cost effective
to just try to change the gear ratio.  Would cost much more for labor plus
parts.  The remote area I'm in, Scottsburg, VA, has local shops that do work
by the job at a reasonable cost.  Not so with tranny work!

I'm looking for an adequate tow vehicle, but like the conversion van so much
that I'm reluctant to go with an adequate pickup that could do the job.
Possibly when I get my Safari on the road I'll change my opinion and get the
proper diesel tow.  I do plan to do a lot of traveling in the west as that's
where my family resides.

Continuing on the same thoughts, I understand that the tranny shop can
change the shift RPM with  your unit and might accomplish the same thing as
changing the rear end ratio.  The local shop did this to my '83 conversion
van because I told them that I was towing a small trailer much of the time.
The engine was a 305!

Have  you looked into sway bars for the rear/front to stop the high-top from
so much wind buffeting?

From my experience, the throttle body fuel injection made a world of
difference in engine performance.  Possibly there are exhaust and air intake
modifications that could improve the hp performance.  I sit and await the
opinions of the list.

However, it's obvious that I'll be one of the road blocks on the superslab
and have to pull off frequently to allow the road rage to diminish.

Well, back to more mundane things like getting my Safari furnace to stop
howling so I can work during the winter.

                                     Regards, '69 Safari, Joy