6th gear worthless?

[redone17]

I use 6th all the time in my Badlands non Squatch driving around town and such. Typical city street speeds are 45-50mph. I'll cruise at a lower rpm when I can, until I hit traffic, construction, etc.

Isn’t it chugging along with low power that way? You’re dumping fuel into the turbo. I stay in 5th until 80 MPH+.

Sponsored

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Isn’t it chugging along with low power that way? You’re dumping fuel into the turbo. I stay in 5th until 80 MPH+.

Not really chugging, sure it doesnt have power at 1400rpm at 50mph, but if I'm keeping a steady speed, I dont see a problem. Engine isnt making boost either at that RPM, unless I accelerate, and if I have to speed up, or slow down, im downshifting anyway. If I keep it in 5th gear, cruising at 50ish mph, my RPM is around 1800. At highway speed (65-70)in 5th, not sure. 2600? Sounds a bit high for cruising rpm. Heck, in 6th gear traveling at 70mph, my rpm's hang around 2200. Still sounds a bit high, but I do have the 4.7 gears, its to be expected.

EDIT:
Dropped my daughter off at school this morning. 50mph in 6th, Im at 1500rpm, while in 5th gear, 1800-1900rpm.
While in 6th, if I give it a little gas, I'm making boost, most likely due to load, but steady cruise it stays out of boost.

 

[Blackcat]

I use 6th on the highway at 65+ mph.

 

[RimrockPaul]

I have a 24 Big Bend manual transmission Bronco. I haven't seen this discussed but is 6th gear basically worthless because I have a manual transmission? I wondered if the auto 10sp fits the gearing better. I have a 21 Ranger and love the 10 sp as well but it is geared appropriately, it seems.
Ironically, I bought a new CJ7 in the 80s that had optional high gearing and it had the same problem, couldn't use 5th gear except on expressways, downhill with the wind on my back so it's just like old times except of course the Bronco is way better than the jeep!

I get some 6th gear use where you'd usually use a double overdrive. It's also useful in 4L where you have a bit more speed between rough spots without having to go back and forth from L to H.
Paul

 

[EvilJim1971]

Just got back from a drive from Alabama to Texas and back.
23 2 door Heritage Edition.
Around 650 lbs of passengers and cargo.
Cruise set at 70 in 5th gear returned 19.0 mpg.
Cruise set at 70 in 6th gear returned 20.2 mpg.
Cruise set at 75 in 6th gear returned 19.3 mpg.
As recorded on my aCar app by Fully, not the built in lie-o-meter.

 

[CalvinT]

As recorded on my aCar app by Fully, not the built in lie-o-meter.

I'm not familiar with that app.

 

[mpeugeot]

As someone else said in a longer post. You can have Eco or Boost, but not both at the same time.

 

[EvilJim1971]

I'm not familiar with that app.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Probably more useful here out west where we have 80 mph speed limits in places.

I think I remember even an 85mph in Texas going through the panhandle.

Posted 75 in AZ, normal traffic is 85-90. 6th gear is useless above 60. Too much drag. You will use more gas in 6th than 5th at highway speeds.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Yes, over 68 cruising on the highway. Rpm’s about 2k-2.5k. As someone mentioned earlier, I treat it as an overdrive gear. Same speed as in 5th but lower rpm’s.

technically 5th is overdrive. 6th would be double overdrive

 

[rblume73]

Probably more useful here out west where we have 80 mph speed limits in places.

I think I remember even an 85mph in Texas going through the panhandle.

We have a 85 mph toll road around Austin, and at that speed it doesn't matter what gear I'm in the mpg drops like a rock due to wind resistance.
I typically don't use 6th gear unless I'm going 70 mph or higher.

 

[CalvinT]

I'm not familiar with that app.

Nice display, but doesn't tell me anything. For example, is it an iPhone app? An Android app? Do you need a laptop? How does it connect? Bluetooth? ODBII? Does it need a special cable? That looks like a real-time display, how does it get its data?

As I said, I'm not familiar with it, as in totally ignorant.

Never mind and my appologies. I was hoping it could get real time data. It's just another phone app that replaces an old fashioned log book. Admittedly they're more convenient.

 

[wigglysqiggly]

I saw a post a while back about the similar topic. I used to used 6th Gear all the time as I thought I would get the Best MPG.

Then I saw a post that said dont use 6th gear unless on highways for Better MPG. So I was averaging about 17.3 MPG (SAS, 35's, Roof Rack). After a month of driving I am at 19.2 which is crazy. I do use 91 octane which is the highest in my state.

But Yes 6th gear is rarely used now

 

[EvilJim1971]

Nice display, but doesn't tell me anything. For example, is it an iPhone app? An Android app? Do you need a laptop? How does it connect? Bluetooth? ODBII? Does it need a special cable? That looks like a real-time display, how does it get its data?

As I said, I'm not familiar with it, as in totally ignorant.

Never mind and my appologies. I was hoping it could get real time data. It's just another phone app that replaces an old fashioned log book. Admittedly they're more convenient.

Yea, just an electronic record of fuel and maintenance.

 

[CarmeloS]

It’s the one in the far lower right! Just below 5! Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

On the road, I’ll use it after about 70 sometimes. But 60/65 and below, nope.

Honestly only use 6th on roadtrips. Maybe if I get a pedal commander Ill start using 6th, as I wanna be able to pull away if needed

Sponsored