2003 Dually: 4.10 or 3.73?

[dlessard]

I want to trade my current truck for a 2003 Diesel. It's gonna be my third Ram but this time I'm looking at the 3500 Dually Auto QC LB. Great looking truck!! My first choice was the 3. 73 but even if I don't tow very much (only a light 19' camping trailer in summer and a 2 sleds trailer in winter), the dealer recommend the 4. 10 for that kind of truck configuration (Dually). He said mpg is the same for 3. 73 and 4. 10 (?) What should I do?



Thanks,

Denis

 

[plongson]

4:10's seem to suffer in the fuel milage department, and the less or lighter the load you tow, the less you need low gears. People that tow heavy or BOMB heavy, seem to get by with the stock standard trans better than the stock auto. I tow moderataly heavy (17k GCWR) and with mild bombs I LOVE the 3:54's. I would rather have the NV5600 for the better 3rd to 4th gear split though...

 

[Bill Stockard]

4.10 & 3.73

Due to the higher overdrive ratio in the automatic, the 48RE with a 4. 10 and the 6 speed with a 3. 73, the final drive ratio is almost identical when both are in overdrive. Something to think about...



Bill

 

[CKimball]

... . welll I have an "early 03" and it has 4:10's and a 47re... i get 14ish around town and about 18. 5 or so on the highway empty...

11 to 13 pulling my fiver..... yes you lose alittle while empty ... if there was a stick avail at time of my purchase I would have got it. . it all depends on what your plans are with the truck...

my two cents



Cameron



. . p. s. . you gonna love this truck over all that you have had before!

 

[gonzo2]

Unless you live in B. C. (they are awfully slow out here) Get the 373's. The rpms with the 410's will drive you nuts after a short time on a highway and your rig will have absolutely no problem with your loads. In fact you may want to get something heavier just to impress yourself.

 

[tpicard]

4.10's

Auto=4. 10's, 6-shooter=373. My 2 cents.

 

[willyslover]

I've had 4. 10's and 3. 54's... both with manuals [1 5speed and 1 6 speed]... 3. 73 without a doubt is the ideal ratio with manuals for all around use IMHO

 

[Fireman]

Dean and I have identical trucks EXCEPT for the gear ratios. His is 4:10, mine 3:73 both are 6spd manuals. We get almost identical mileage unladen and he edges me out a little towing, and he has the heavier trailer. ( maybe I drive too fast towing).



I have also had an auto, and if I were to get another auto I would go with 4:10 for towing.



JMO

Fireman

 

[pstillo]

373 Oo.

 

[Barry]

Bill Stockard is right once again:



Watch this... ... ... . 6 speed=. 73 X 3:73 = 2. 7229 Final Drive Ratio



Auto =. 69 X 4:10 = 2. 8290 " " "



Here is the math. The 2 are almost identical. If you hook the auto to the 3. 73 the final is 2. 5737 and swinging 17" wheels and tires it is going to be very TALL... ... ... ... ..... Mi dos pesos



Spec the truck to do your job. Bombing the snot out of a mis-speced truck is not the answer.

 

[kaptn]

When did the 3:73 first become available?

 

[Barry]

2003 and with the manual trans, it is the perfect all around set up.

 

[Barry]

While reading the new TDR mag in the "meditation Room" this morning I had an astounding revelation. There is an article that lists all the gear ratios that are or have been available for our trucks. Lately, we have been concentrating on the "final drive" ratios of the manual vs. the automatic and which rear end ratio would be best.

The other end of the spectrum is the FIRST gear ratios of the auto vs. manual. WOW, what a shocker! The manual trans is twice as deep as the auto. I know, I know you are saying that the torque converter makes up for it. True... ... ... ..... somewhat. I have watched a CTD/Auto with 3:55s start from the bottom of a steep hill pulling a 35' 5er and it was not a pretty sight. When he finally got to the top, I'll bet the bans and clutches were hotter than a train depot stove.

Check out the ratio chart towards the back of the TDR mag. Then do the math yourself. Mi dos pesos... ... ... .....

 

[Snow man]

Denis, not to discredit what the stick owners have said,but I am in full agreement with Bill. The auto needs the 4. 10 IMO if your going to tow over 5000 lbs regularly. I have 4. 10 and my truck pulls my 3310 Sunnybrook, like a locomotive,i use the DD supermental injectors,and leave the comp turned off,the truck pulls unbeleivable. 4. 10'sare the gears to have IMO with an auto. If you have 3. 73 and tow at 65mph,or under your going to want to be in 3rd(OD off),unless you can stay above 70 towing.

 

[dlessard]

Thanks everybody for your comments.

Very interesting. Here is a pic of my current truck and the dually waiting for me at the dealer

No decision yet (SRW or DRW) but it's gonna be another Cummins for sure!

Denis

 

[Peter Campbell]

I ordered the 4. 10/6sp and the SRW. Not yet in "D" status. The 3. 73's have 2,000lbs less GCWR than the 4. 10's. IMHO If you are not planning to bump into 21,000Lbs GCW get the 3. 73's. I wanted every bit of "nameplate" capacity that I can get with a SRW truck. Did not want to pay for two cars going through every toll in new york. For the 6 speed GCWR that would be a reason to go with 4. 10's. My present truck is 4. 10"s and auto. With the auto if in doubt go with the 4. 10's- you can cheat later with tire size- or use it as an excuse for bigger tires

 

[sdbelt]

I wonder if those replying have actually driven the new 48RE with the 3. 73 gears while towing heavy loads.



The new 48RE shifts into lockup at 47 or 48 mph. That's the earliest it will shift into lockup. When towing a heavy load, you want to be in lockup as much as possible, and then you want to stay in lockup. I've towing my 12k 5er for about 8000 miles now, and I think the 48RE with 3. 73 is ideal.



I can't imagine how high an engine rpm I'd have, cruising on the interstate at 75 mph (currently 2150 or so). Similarly, the engine rpm, while pulling a load up a steep hill, waiting for lockup would probably be dang near 3000. That's well past the sweet spot of 2200-2500, and in my opinion, over-revved.



Unless you plan to install really big tires, immediately after purchase, I think the 48RE needs 3. 73 gears. In fact, I'd like shorter 3. 55 gears, if we could still get them.

 

[Fireman]

Barry,



Hotter than a train depot stove:-laf :-laf :-laf I like that.



But, you're giving away your age



Fireman

 

[Barry]

Fireman: It's not the 55 years, it is the millions of miles that make me look tattered and torn... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[Barry]

Sdbelt: I am puzzled by your speed/rpm. My truck is turning 2100@70mph. There should only be 60 to 70 rpm differance between a manual/3:73 and an auto/4:10. Your auto/3:73 should be at least 150 to 200 rpm less than my manual/3:73... ... ..... it's a mind boggle 'n thang!