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Towing With a Slant Six

8K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  IntenseImages 
#1 ·
I own a 85 D-100 with the Slant Six and a 4 speed OD. I would like to be able to tow my 17' Ski Boat with it. I believe the boat weighs about 3,000 lbs with trailer. Is it possible? I tried towing it but the clutch didn't seem to like it. I just don't want to change the clutch and end up with the same problem. Any recommendations on clutches? At first i didn't think the slant 6 could tow it but i have seen 1 ton stake body truck with a slant six. thanks
Joe
 
#2 ·
it will tow it BUT check to see what you have for rear gears before you try again / your gonna want at least 3.55,s to 4.10,s for towing / if you have less than this l wouldn,t use it to tow with
 
#5 ·
my 74 was a /6 4 speed untill this spring when I switched it over. I pulled my mowing trailer with it alot. It sucked going up a hill or in the wind even though it had 3.91 gears, but it will work though. I am pretty sure you have the 11'' clutch since the cars mainly had the 10''. you could always pull you flywheel cover off underneath and try to measure the clutch inside. Im not sure if you can switch flywheels or not, but if you have the 10'', I have the 11'' flywheel from mine and an newer (used) clutch disc and pressure plate if your interested.
 
#6 ·
jbotti said:
I have been looking at clutches, they list a 10" and a 11" clutch. If my truck has the 10", can i upgrade to the 11" with the same flywheel?
I do not think so. Â But I do not know much about manny trannys. :( Â I thought I had read somewhere that the 11" clutch requires a different bellhousing...

if you have the miser version, you may have 2.76 rear gears, but with OD who knows. :( Â You can check fairly easily.

First you need to determine if you have a sure-grip (posi) or open differential. Â Jack both rear tires off the ground. (Block the front tires!) Â Leave the trans in gear. Â Try to rotate a tire by hand. Â if the other tire spins the opposite direction, you have an open differential. Â If you can't spin the tire, or it turns but is very hard to turn, you have a sure-grip.

For a sure-grip:
Jack both rear tires off the ground.
Make a reference mark on one of the tires and on the driveshaft.
Trans in neutral.
Spin one tire (both should turn the same direction when you turn one) ONE full revolution, while counting the number of revolutions the driveshaft makes.
Number of driveshaft revolutions = gear ratio. (e.g 2-3/4 turns = 2.76, 3-1/2 turns = 3.55, etc)

For an open differential:
Jack one rear tire off the ground (leave the othe on the ground).
Make reference marks on tire & driveshaft.
Trans in neutral.
Spin tire TWO full revolutions, while counting number of driveshaft revolutions.
Driveshaft revolutions = gear ratio.

I have towed with my '87 D150 with slant/904 & 2.76 rear gears. Â You won't be going anywhere fast, but the slant will pull the load. Â But I don't have a clutch to worry about burning up, and I have a torque multiplying torque converter. Â :-\

How far do you have to tow, and will it be mostly highway, or stop and go city driving? Â If it's just a long haul, once you get going, no clutch worries, right? ;)

-SM
 
#15 ·
thats what happens here. people get the miser ones becuase there cheap then pull the engine and slap in an BB or SB. i just want a stock miser to see how well they can do.
 
#18 ·
I did consider slapping in a 318 but for some reason i really like the slant. It runs great, good gas mileage, and it get's the job done. One day i would like to upgrade to a 2B carb.
thanks for the great tips, this is a very valuable list.
-Joe
 
#19 ·
in the long run with that a833 you will end up blowin a synchro, most likely 3rd to 4th gear (dont ask how i know ;D)


i ended up slapping an np435 in my 82 (had the miser package with the 2.76 gears in it as well) never drove better and mileage only dropped to 18 mpg from 21 and the towing was soooooooo much better

and these guys are right to swap to an 11 inch flywheel you will need a different bell, pressure plate and clutch

eric
 
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