Emissions Recall J22 - Axle Ratio (Just got a notice in the mail)

[PMcColley]

I just got a notice that my 2009 Mega 2500 was inadvertently built with a 4. 10 gear ratio and non-compliant powertrain configuration which may excedd federal and california emissions regulations and his could impact the vehicle's fuel economy and/or performance.



The resolution is to replace my 4. 10s with 3. 73s.



Has anyone else seen this?

 

[JaredP]

you haven't found out anything yet huh? I'll give ya a call later.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Gearing wont effect emissions.

April fools?

 

[PMcColley]

No joke I have an actual recall notice from Chrysler. I will try to scan it later today.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Well, I guess it would effect fuel mileage. Sounds like you could go to the higher gearing for free if you want to. I think you paid a premium for the 4. 10's ($200+), I wonder if they are they going to pay you back for that?

 

[PMcColley]

Here is the letter on the dodge website.



Recall and Customer Satisfaction Notification Information:

Description Type Issue Date Status

DH AXLE RATIO 03/17/2010 INCOMPLETE



http://www.dodge.com/universal/webselfservice/pdf/J22.pdf

 

[gsbrockman]

Maybe Dodge should open a forum where those with 3. 73's could swap out their entire axle assemblies with the erroneously equipped 4. 10's... ... . I'm sure an entire axle swap would take less time than the ring & pinions... ...

 

[rscurtis]

Since when do these trucks have to meet a fuel economy standard? If it's a problem, then why is the 4. 10 ratio offered at all?

 

[10-9jc]

CA smog test stations are now testing diesels.

1. Check for trouble codes.
2. Look under hood (not told what to look for!)
3. Rev the engine 3 times - look for smoke. (Nobody knows how much smoke is OK/bad - or what happens if you rev it only twice - or 4 times, LOL
Done. (*NO* dyno)

How do I know this?
BIL has had a Smog "test only" facility for several years.

Sooooooooo if you're happy with your 4:10 - keep it.
You have a free pass to change ratios whenever you want.
They'll keep sending you letters.

(Ford has been sending me notices for years on a cruise control recall on on a van I have parked in my driveway)

If you think you would rather have 3:73 - take 'em up on their offer.

 

[PFranzese]

I just received this recall this week also.



I don't get it, we pay for 4. 10 gears then they want to take them back? Are they going to give us the money back for the initial purchase of the 4. 10's? It is on my window sticker with $ amount associated with it.



I didn't want 4. 10's but the deal on the truck was to good to complain about the gears so I will be taking the free 3. 73 anyway.

 

[rscurtis]

GSbrockman has the right idea, but this whole idea sounds like another CFC deal- a whole lot of work for virtually no measureable benefit. I can see the headlines now- "The new Ram division has changed some vehicles from 4. 10 to 3. 73 gearing- three loaded oil tankers have been sent back to Saudi Arabia as a result of the fuel savings". It will take a long time to save the fuel wasted on all the unnecessary trips back and forth to the dealer for this recall, and this doesn't consider the extra trips required to correct the associated leaks and gear noises that will develop.

 

[PMcColley]

I was looking at the Dodge body builders guide last night and they have removed the 4. 10 gears from all configurations with the manual transmission. You can only get the 3. 42 or 3. 73 with the POS G56-6 6sp (diesel), 3. 73 and 4. 10 are availble on the 545RFE 5sp Auto (gas), and 3. 42/3. 73/4. 10 can be used with the 68RFE 6sp Auto (diesel).



I have a 2009 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 and the towing and payload capacities have been reduced by being forced back to the 3. 73.



I did contact my dealer (Lithia Dodge Tricities) and they were clueless about the recall and advised me to keep them since I bought them and it would not affect my warranty unlike the letter states.



Should I attempt to keep them and risk my warranty or just get the swap done?



http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/dr/drmo.pdf

(pdf must be opened in the browser for it to work as it is dynamicly generated and cannot be downloaded)

 

[PFranzese]

I was back and forth about doing this because of the things rscurtis mentioned, marginal fuel savings, could result in gear whine if not setup correctly, more trips to dealer.....



I decided to do it since I didn't want 4. 10 anyway and I drive on the highway enough that it is worth it. The dealer is minutes form my work and they are giving me a loaner for the duration of the work performed so I can't pass it up. If it whines, leaks, or worse things happen I will be there each morning before work getting a loaner until it is right.

 

[BillDriscoll]

Tell them you will keep the 4. 10's just give you a set of 19" tires ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is this an obama plan? lol

 

[Bob4x4]

Gearing wont effect emissions.

April fools?

The oem's must measure grams per mile... ... ..... so yes it does affect emmisions

 

[BigRedRam]

I orderd my CTD with 4. 10 on purpose. The intent was to replace the tires with 315/70/17. That makes the equvalent ratio almost exacaly equal to the standard 3. 73 with the little stock tires.

 

[SPucillo]

I was looking at the Dodge body builders guide last night and they have removed the 4. 10 gears from all configurations with the manual transmission. You can only get the 3. 42 or 3. 73 with the POS G56-6 6sp (diesel), 3. 73 and 4. 10 are availble on the 545RFE 5sp Auto (gas), and 3. 42/3. 73/4. 10 can be used with the 68RFE 6sp Auto (diesel).



I have a 2009 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 and the towing and payload capacities have been reduced by being forced back to the 3. 73.



I did contact my dealer (Lithia Dodge Tricities) and they were clueless about the recall and advised me to keep them since I bought them and it would not affect my warranty unlike the letter states.



Should I attempt to keep them and risk my warranty or just get the swap done?



http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/dr/drmo.pdf

(pdf must be opened in the browser for it to work as it is dynamicly generated and cannot be downloaded)

I have a 3500 with 3. 73's that I intend on changing to 4:10's.

I'll buy you old gears from you, if the dealer will give them back to you!

 

[Allnew2Me]

Anyone else notice that the wonderful state of California requires that this gear change be done whether you want it or not or they won't register your truck? It is emmisions -related so it has to be done.

When they remove the 4. 10 gears they are yours and you should get them back. Then you can have them re-installed.

 

[RonD]

I would just contact Dodge, inform them you have to have the rear gear ratio period, then if they still want you to go to a 3:73 ratio, let them just buy back the truck and go get a 2010.

 

[rscurtis]

More worthless nonsense from the EPA, or "Economic Punishment Agency" as Sarah Palin calls it. Definitely one of her most accurate sound bytes.