Big Tow vs No Big Tow..REDUNDANCY ALERT!!!

maestro · 06-08-2005, 03:50 PM

I did a search on this and didnt find the answer I am looking for. Anyway, I was just curious how much quicker the Big Tow equipped Titan is vs well, one without it. Now since there are certain variables here, lets say both Titans are SE KingCabs with no other significant options outside the Towing. The reason I am curious is that it seems like all performance data Ive seen covers Titans equipped with the tow package. I guess Im just wondering exactly how much difference those gears make. This is a valid concern for me as I have considered switching to a lower ratio. However, Im just not sure if the price/performance ratio would justify it. Lemme know your thoughts.

HudsonValleyTitan · 06-08-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maestro

I did a search on this and didnt find the answer I am looking for. Anyway, I was just curious how much quicker the Big Tow equipped Titan is vs well, one without it. Now since there are certain variables here, lets say both Titans are SE KingCabs with no other significant options outside the Towing. The reason I am curious is that it seems like all performance data Ive seen covers Titans equipped with the tow package. I guess Im just wondering exactly how much difference those gears make. This is a valid concern for me as I have considered switching to a lower ratio. However, Im just not sure if the price/performance ratio would justify it. Lemme know your thoughts.

Having raced a friends non-BT Titan (just a friendly light to light thing...no real high speeds), I can tell you that if there is a difference, I didn't see it. We were basically neck and neck. I would say that unless you need it for towing, don't waste your money.

maestro · 06-08-2005, 03:55 PM

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of. I guess the lower gears give you that "seat of the pants" feel and about 1/10th of a second..at best. Thanks for the info.

SickWhip · 06-08-2005, 04:03 PM

I thought the the lower gear was just the final gear. If so, that wouldn't come into play at the track or for towing right??? Everyone I seen on TT tows in 4th. Am I just confused (dumb)?

Cominatcha · 06-08-2005, 04:11 PM

i thought it had to do with drivetrain differences and not the actual rear end gears.

maestro · 06-08-2005, 04:13 PM

We are talking about the same thing, right? See, it seems to me that lower rearend gears would allow the truck to get into its torque range much quicker vs "taller" gears. Thus, this would give you a performance advantage. Keep in mind, Im only talking raw performance here..not towing ability. I had a 2002 TA RamAir that stock, came with 3.42's. I swapped in a set of 4.10's and noticed a dramatic difference. Course, that car was a 6 speed manual and obviously, had a more or less "racing" setup to begin with. Keep in mind, I usually dont buy automatic equipped vehicles, so maybe Im missing something here. But, with the TransAm for instance, at highway speeds..hell, pretty much at any speed, the RPM's averaged 350-400 higher vs stock gears. That kept me in a much more useful torque range and allowed for greater performance throughout the entire range..until I got above 145 anyway..

Sammy Sandbag · 06-08-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickWhip

I thought the the lower gear was just the final gear. If so, that wouldn't come into play at the track or for towing right??? Everyone I seen on TT tows in 4th. Am I just confused (dumb)?

I think you are confusing final drive gear with the final transmission gearing. The difference between the two Titans is the rear end, the ring and pinion ratio. The transmissions remain the same. The BT will turn a higher engine rpm than an non-BT for any given wheel/axle speed, so that gives it the edge in towing, but a disadvantage at MPG.

sbo76 · 06-08-2005, 04:42 PM

I have an 05 CC and raced my buddies 04 with the big tow. he beat me but not by much. If you plan on towing at all, I would get the package. If not, save your money and put it else where.

ptgarcia · 06-08-2005, 04:57 PM

Hell, I'd get it no matter what. It's peanuts in the grand scheme of things and will cost you considerably more to duplicate afterward.

*textitaninva* · 06-08-2005, 05:20 PM

So is it the rear end that is lower, or the tansmission final gear?
If its the rear, I wonder what it would take ( money and different parts ) to swap out?

ptgarcia · 06-08-2005, 05:24 PM

Its the ring and pinion in the rear end. The transmissions are the same.

It'll cost more to change your ring and pinion than it costs for the entire tow package from Nissan.

Sammy Sandbag · 06-08-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by textitaninva

So is it the rear end that is lower, or the tansmission final gear?
If its the rear, I wonder what it would take ( money and different parts ) to swap out?

The rear end. And from what I've read Nissan isn't selling the gearset alone, only complete axle assemblies. You'd probably be better to wait for aftermarket gearsets. Don't forget you'd need a speedo recalibration.

Vegas04 · 06-08-2005, 05:34 PM

You might be able to find someone to swap gears with you, though. If you did some researching you could find out if the pinion gear has the same number of teeth on both setups and maybe change only the ring gear. That will require about 1.5 hours of easy labor rather than 6 hours of intense labor and measuring.

*95wolverine* · 06-08-2005, 06:20 PM

If the swapout project is intended for a 4x4 machine, don't forget about the front diff. If you do, it's gonna eat some tires whenever in 4wd.

maestro · 06-08-2005, 06:23 PM

Thank you all for your input. Im not sure about the cost of having this done. But, Im willing to bet it will be at least $900, seeing as how I would need to purchase a recalibration unit. Oh well, I think I may just take that money and buy a Volant intake + Banks exhaust. Ive heard this is quite the combo for this truck. Hell, I might even save a few $$. Thanks again guys.