2020 International MV Gear Ratios: Transmission & Axle Guide
A complete breakdown of transmission specs and rear differential ratios for the 2020 International MV.
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When configuring or repairing a medium-duty workhorse like the 2020 International MV, understanding your powertrain specifications is critical. Whether you are running a box truck, a utility bed, or a tow truck, your transmission and axle gear ratios dictate how your truck performs under load, its top cruising speed, and its overall fuel efficiency.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the transmission gear ratios, available axle ratios, and driveline specifications for the 2020 International MV.
Transmission gear ratios
The 2020 International MV is available with a variety of transmission options to suit different vocational needs. The most common configurations utilize Allison automatic transmissions (like the 2000 and 3000 series) and Eaton Fuller manual or automated manual transmissions. Below are the internal gear ratios for two of the most popular choices: the Allison 2500 RDS (Rugged Duty Series) 6-speed automatic and the Eaton Fuller FS-5406A 6-speed manual.
Allison 2500 RDS (6-Speed Automatic)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1st | 3.10:1 |
| 2nd | 1.81:1 |
| 3rd | 1.41:1 |
| 4th | 1.00:1 |
| 5th | 0.71:1 |
| 6th | 0.61:1 |
| Reverse | 4.49:1 |
Eaton Fuller FS-5406A (6-Speed Manual)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1st | 9.01:1 |
| 2nd | 5.27:1 |
| 3rd | 3.22:1 |
| 4th | 2.04:1 |
| 5th | 1.36:1 |
| 6th | 1.00:1 |
| Reverse | 8.63:1 |
Available axle ratios
Because the 2020 International MV is heavily customized for fleet and vocational use, it utilizes heavy-duty rear axles from manufacturers like Dana Spicer and Meritor. Axle ratio selection is highly dependent on the GVWR and the truck's intended purpose.
| Ratio | Available With (engine/trim/package) | RPO/Axle Code | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.11 | Cummins B6.7 / Allison 2000 / Light Fleet | Meritor/Dana Spec | Fuel economy & highway cruising |
| 4.33 | Cummins B6.7 / L9 / Box Trucks | Meritor/Dana Spec | Balanced highway and city driving |
| 4.63 | Cummins L9 / Heavy Delivery | Meritor/Dana Spec | Balanced (Heavy Payload) |
| 4.88 | Cummins L9 / Allison 3000 / Utility | Meritor/Dana Spec | Towing & stop-and-go heavy hauling |
| 5.29 | Cummins L9 / Severe Duty / Dump | Meritor/Dana Spec | Max towing, PTO operation, off-highway |
| 5.57 | Cummins L9 / Severe Duty / Bucket | Meritor/Dana Spec | Low-speed vocational operations |
How to identify your axle ratio
If you are replacing a rear differential or looking to re-gear your truck, you need to know what you are currently running. Here is how to identify the axle ratio on your 2020 International MV:
- The Line Setting Ticket (LST): Unlike light-duty GM trucks that use an RPO sticker in the glovebox, International trucks use a Line Setting Ticket. This multi-page document is usually located inside the cab (often on the driver-side door jamb, sun visor, or glove box). It lists every specific component the truck was built with, including the exact front and rear axle model and ratio.
- Axle Tag: Crawl underneath the rear of the truck. Both Dana Spicer and Meritor axles feature a metal identification tag bolted directly to the differential housing or carrier cover. This tag will list the axle model (e.g., Dana S140) and the gear ratio (e.g., 4.88).
- VIN Decoder: A commercial VIN decoding service or your local International dealer can run the last 8 digits of your VIN to pull the factory build sheet, revealing your factory-installed gear ratio.
Towing vs MPG impact
In the medium-duty truck world, gear ratios make or break your bottom line.
- Numerically Lower Ratios (e.g., 4.11): Often referred to as "tall" gears, these allow the driveshaft to spin fewer times per tire revolution. The engine runs at lower RPMs at highway speeds, resulting in much better fuel economy (MPG). However, it takes more engine effort to get heavy loads moving from a dead stop.
- Numerically Higher Ratios (e.g., 5.29, 5.57): Known as "short" gears, these multiply torque more aggressively. This makes them significantly better for towing, launching heavy payloads, and climbing steep grades without lugging the engine. The trade-off is lower top speeds and poorer fuel efficiency, as the engine runs at much higher RPMs on the highway.
Common issues
Medium-duty axles are built to last hundreds of thousands of miles, but continuous heavy loads take their toll. On the 2020 International MV, watch out for:
- Ring & Pinion Whine: A high-pitched whining noise under acceleration or deceleration usually indicates that the gear teeth are wearing unevenly or the backlash is out of specification.
- Carrier Bearing Failures: A low-pitched rumble or vibration that gets worse with speed often points to worn carrier bearings.
- Leaking Pinion Seals: Frequent stops, heavy loads, and debris can wear out the pinion seal, leading to fluid loss and eventual catastrophic differential failure if not caught early.
- Limited-Slip Clutch Wear: If your axle is equipped with a locking or limited-slip differential, chattering or clunking during tight turns indicates that the internal clutch packs are worn or require fresh friction modifier fluid.
Find a driveline shop on Repairius to keep your International MV fleet running smoothly and efficiently.
More specs for the 2020 International MV
Oil Capacity & Filter
Capacity, weight, filter PN, drain plug torque, change interval.
Fluid Type Specs
Engine oil, coolant, ATF, diff, brake, PS, DEF — with OEM spec numbers.
Coolant Capacity & Type
Total system capacity, OEM coolant spec, flush interval, bleed tips.
Transmission Fluid & Service
Trans model, fluid spec, capacity, filter PN, service interval.
Torque Specifications
Lug nuts, drain plug, caliper, axle nut, plug, key fasteners.
Brake Pad & Rotor Specs
Pad PNs, rotor size, min thickness, caliper torque.
Tire Size & Pressure
OEM size, cold psi, bolt pattern, wheel size, TPMS.
Battery Size & Group
Group size, CCA, AGM/flooded, dimensions, reset note.
A/C Refrigerant & Oil
R-134a or R-1234yf, charge oz, PAG oil spec.
Bulb Sizes (Headlight, Tail, Fog)
Headlight, fog, tail, turn, reverse, interior.
Factory Maintenance Schedule
Service intervals by mileage, severe-duty notes, known issues.
Towing Capacity & Payload
Max tow, payload, GVWR/GCWR, hitch class by trim.
Fuse Box Diagram & Amperage
Fuse box locations, layout, amps, and what each fuse controls.
Serpentine Belt Routing & Length
Belt routing, length, rib count, OEM + aftermarket PNs.
Wheel Alignment Specifications
Camber, caster, toe ranges (front & rear), adjustability notes.
Paint Color Codes
All factory colors with paint codes, sticker location, touch-up tips.
Wiper Blade Sizes
Driver/passenger/rear blade size, attachment, OEM + cross-refs.
Spark Plug Type & Gap
Plug PN, gap, torque, interval by engine.
Key Fob Programming
DIY programming steps, FCC ID, fob PN, battery, transponder.
Same spec — other model years
Maintenance & repair guides
2020 International MV Maintenance Schedule →
Available maintenance guidance; confirm the manufacturer schedule.
Repair planning references →
Plan the scope of work; detailed procedures need configuration-matched evidence.
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