I know I'm bouncing a lot of ideas around and trying to play with the numbers. I really want to be able to keep the 235/261 happy in it's power band. I'm not afraid to push the engine on up to 2800- 3000 RPM, I just don't want to keep it there. I'm looking at the ratios of various transmissions, some overdrive and some direct, The Clark 282 is a 5speed direct drive, the difference is that it's a close ratio. Using a close ratio gear box would allow the engine to stay in it's power band and not drop so much between gears. I just don't know if the 235/261 would have enough HP to keep up with an overdrive without down gearing, especially under load.
Being as "Thor" is a 1.5 ton flat bed and I use it as such, I'm leaning more towards the close ratio Clark. While this transmission is not an overdrive, it combined with the now 4.88 rear gear and 34" tires should get me be close to the sweet spot in the power band. I don't have any ideals of flying down the interstate at 70 MP, I would just like to do 60-65 on occasion.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
https://garage.wiki/clark/transmissions/282v-close-ratio.html
