Buy Now or wait?

[AH64ID]

There are two things on my truck that I would change, one I can, the other I can't. I love the comforts of the Laramie except for the friggin' sunroof! I've relocated from Western WA, cold and wet, to Eastern WA, generally dry and hot in the summer. Hate it.

The other is the 3.42 gears, these will get changed, if I don't buy a new truck without a sunroof!

Due to my height we didn’t want a sunroof, but I’d like one if it didn’t steal so much headroom.


What don’t you like about the 3.42’s?

I was very anti-3.42 before owning them. Now I’m sold, and wouldn’t want a 19+ with 3.73’s as they have the wrong rpms for the speeds I drive.

I tow heavier and slower than most for a bit of my towing, and the 3.42’s preform great on steep dirt roads. Any heavier and I’d be far over, not just slightly, the SRW axle ratings.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am 6'2" and have ZERO issue with my sun roof. I don't wear a Stetson.

I second the love for the 3.42's especially with the AISIN even towing heavy.

 

[MRoberts]

I have the 68rfe and it feels like the rpm's are too low with the 3.42's regardless of where I am driving. I'd like to give 3.73's a shot, but at the cost of the gear swap, it will likely be 4.10's.

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron, I’m so sorry! I’ve been distracted lately and just catching up on here. Please accept my condolences. This is the toughest thread to read on

I have the 68rfe and it feels like the rpm's are too low with the 3.42's regardless of where I am driving. I'd like to give 3.73's a shot, but at the cost of the gear swap, it will likely be 4.10's.

I've had high geared trucks and on the manuals and autos chose 5th to run in. Not sure what RPMs you are saying is low, but for me 2100ish is the cruising sweet spot and 2400ish is the power spot. Try locking out 6th to see how it is.

Cheers, Ron

 

[bcbender]

my 20 was only offered in 3:73. I would've considered 4:10 as my 04 was 4:10 (NV5600 towing beast) but you have to get the DRW for that.

 

[endoscott]

I, like others, have 3.42 and Aisin, it's perfect for us. I don't tow that heavy, the new 5th wheel is only 13,500 loaded. Our little one is like towing a little boat, easy, under 10,000.

 

[bcbender]

I wonder why they no longer offer the 3:42... Seem like last time I looked years ago that was all you could get in a SRW.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have the 68rfe and it feels like the rpm's are too low with the 3.42's regardless of where I am driving. I'd like to give 3.73's a shot, but at the cost of the gear swap, it will likely be 4.10's.

keep the TH on and it will keep you in your power band.

 

[Topzide]

The 4.10's in my truck may not have top end, but they sure can pull! Sometimes feel like a snail when pulling off from light, when it gets to 3rd, hold on! I haven't had the chance to pull that heavy yet. Before I purchased truck from FIL, he was pulling command centers under contract and most were triples and one was a quad axle!!! So far I love the 4.10's coupled with the 68RFE that I have. Fuel economy shows 20+ on EVIC and 17+ when doing numbers by old school on highway. Still way better than my '01 1500 gas 5.9!

 

[GBergen]

I think maybe I've ordered at the right time after stumbling into this website.
Here is a link to a fleet site, that shows the delays due to some chips not being available... Looks like 14 to 16 week delays for most deliveries.
The site lists all makes of vehicle affected by the chip delays.

Maybe you've already seen this information so sorry it's a duplicate.

Contacted my dealer (dillon in Boise area)on Friday and was told that the truck goes from Mexico plant to Roper, (wherever that is) and then 2 or so weeks from there to here, so I should see the truck some where around the middle of March.

 

[NonFord]

I'm with the rest of the boys! Had 3.73 in my previous truck and then started reading on 3.42's, alot said they stink, but you know what? I love it, so much better mileage and smoothness.. maybe it being paired with the aisin, i'm satisfied with it. I use to be the ones dreaming for an Allison, but I could care less now. I like my setup...

 

[Cummins12V98]

I'm with the rest of the boys! Had 3.73 in my previous truck and then started reading on 3.42's, alot said they stink, but you know what? I love it, so much better mileage and smoothness.. maybe it being paired with the aisin, i'm satisfied with it. I use to be the ones dreaming for an Allison, but I could care less now. I like my setup...

YEP the 3.42's with AISIN is what I should have ordered instead of the 4.10's even tho I tow a combined 35k.

 

[GCuzzy]

They don't "force" you to keep the financing, what they do is charge a penalty for early payoff.

Read the small print when you finance. There should be a break even point. Don't be afraid to have a personal financial person online so to text back in forth.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Also, know your local finance law with regards to early payoff penalties. Here in Alaska where I live, there is no early payoff penalty.

 

[SnoKing]

I'm with the rest of the boys! Had 3.73 in my previous truck and then started reading on 3.42's, alot said they stink, but you know what? I love it, so much better mileage and smoothness.. maybe it being paired with the aisin, i'm satisfied with it. I use to be the ones dreaming for an Allison, but I could care less now. I like my setup...

I loved the 3.42's in my gone now 2015 with Aisin. 80 MPH at 1750 RPM, what not to like. Towed at a combined 24,500 without any issues. Aisin is the trick to 3.42's.

 

[bcbender]

Cant get the 3:42 anymore, only 3:73. I would've opted for the 4:10 but it was only available in dually(s).

 

[Wiredawg]

I agree about getting all the software updates, but the two Aisins I've owned both have firm shifts, I guess that's for pulling heavy weight. There's complaints on both sides... too much torque management (delayed pedal response) or too little torque management (firm shifting with shudder). I prefer and like the latter. With exception of my wife's former 03 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins, I've only bought Ram Cummins trucks only for heavy towing.

Anyhoo, the shifting and performance of the Aisin has been discussed and argued a lot... I guess it boils down to whether you like it or not. I LIKE it.

Cheers and Happy Shifting, Ron

 

[bcbender]

There's complaints on both sides... too much torque management (delayed pedal response) or too little torque management (firm shifting with shudder). I prefer and like the latter. With

I am happy with it... I will have to learn to pedal it maybe with the first gear shudder?? only happened twice and fully loaded... but that's my only... I don't want to use the word complaint... maybe concern is the proper term but seems like most here say its a non-issue... I've never owned a AUTO / Cummins so its all new frontier to me.

 

[Wiredawg]

I am happy with it... I will have to learn to pedal it maybe with the first gear shudder?? only happened twice and fully loaded... but that's my only... I don't want to use the word complaint... maybe concern is the proper term but seems like most here say its a non-issue... I've never owned a AUTO / Cummins so its all new frontier to me.

Yes Sir, you'll figure out the pedal... I don't floor mine, but I do step into it smartly most of the time. Now I'm not pulling 5th wheel any more, so using more like a pickup nowadays.

Cheers, Ron.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah I don't floor it, but probably will "easy up" until in 3rd and try that... My NV5600 never cared... of course I had to shift it 3 times to cross an intersection.