1993 4:10 to 3:73 gear swap???

[JBroyles]

I have 1993 d350 with turbo diesel and 5spd transmission... low geared!

My wife and i just bought a cabover camper and we're gonna be traveling a lot. We want to run more then 55-60 mph and I'm wondering if a 4:10 to 3:73 is a good choice and what's the best way to go about the swap. change rear ends? or just swap the gears out?

Thanks!!

 

[dodgenstein]

Unless you swap to a non-Dodge rearend, (3rd gens aside) you won't be able to get a complete rear with 3. 73's. You could get a Dodge with 3. 54's however. I am running 3. 73's in a 93 W350, swapped gearsets from a Chevy. With an auto trans your high gear (OD) rpm's are about the same as a Getrag truck with 3. 54's. If I were to do it again, I think I would go with 3. 54's so I could run in 3rd a little more.

 

[champspa]

they had a 3. 73 spicer rear in a 95, 2500, 2 wd. don't know how many they made but I seen it , it was factory and wish it had been available to mine.

 

[HCannon]

You shoudnt have any problem with a 3. 54 doing what you are talking about doing. Your motor will be turning around 2K rpms running 70 miles per hour. That is the speed mine likes to run and your fuel milage should be good also.

 

[JBroyles]

Thanks for the info

so what's better and more cost effective... replacing the gears with 3:54 or replacing the rear end? and where's the best place to purchase these gears of this rear end?

 

[JHumphries]

If you going to go through the trouble of re-gearing, add a limited slip. The torque of the line in these is absurd. My first truck had a Limited slip and 3. 54's. It was great I didn't tow hardly ever for the 2 years I had it, but I got 21 mpg in town.
My last 1st gen had 4. 10's with an open diff. In the rain around here, the one wheel spins like crazy.
It will cost a little more, but if you have to replace the carrier, you might as well put in a good one.
Randy's Ring & Pinion. The Differential Experts. Auto Parts & Services.
I've had good luck with these guys. Call them and tell them what you want.

 

[JHumphries]

Upon further looking, there is a carrier break at 4. 10. I would assume the factory used the same carrier for all of there axles. If that is the case you would not need to replace the carrier.
I would still recommend the limited slip though.

 

[JBroyles]

wow, thanks so much for the info... and the link. I'll look into it!