3.42 limited slip - is it clutchless?

[Coalsmoke]

Hey guys, are these new limited slip rear ends those fancy ones with all the helical gears that eliminate the clutch packs like what I had in my old Dodge? I thought I remembered reading something about these new ones being used now, but maybe that was before the axle manufacturer shift? Any info would be great.

 

[DPKetchum]

AAM rear axel. They are clutchlessDodge has been using them since the 03 model year.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Fantastic, that is a welcome change form my 12 valver. Thanks for the info.

 

[EOwen]

axle ratio

Are they all the 3. 42?

How do I tell (by vin#?) what axle ratio I have in my 07. 5 3500 SRW 4x4?

Mine is limited slip.

I do not see it anywhere on the window sticker.

Thanks

 

[DPKetchum]

If its NOT on the window sticker its 3. 73 as that is the standard gear. 4. 10s would be listed with $ next to it.

 

[courierdog]

Read my signature

 

[DPKetchum]

Did you install or is it now a factory option. If so what did they cost?

 

[courierdog]

beginning with the 2008 it is a factory option I had to have mine installed after the fact after AA&M came out with the announcement. All done by the dealer using Mopar Part numbers.

 

[jcarey]

DPKetchum, what kind of mileage are you getting with the 342's?

 

[DPKetchum]

Not me. I have 4. 10s ! Hope I didn't imply I had 3. 42s.

 

[jcarey]

Sorry, my mistake.



courierdog, what kind of mileage are you getting with the 342's?

 

[Coalsmoke]

I'm not about to comment on mileage yet, but I really like the gear ratio setup with the G56 and the 3. 42, its a perfect combo IMHO.

 

[DPKetchum]

Perfect combo for what? For a commuter truck I'm sure its ok.

 

[Coalsmoke]

"Perfect" is very subjective, so a perfect combo for me and how I intend to use the truck, which does not include grossly overloading it or trying to tow 20,000lbs through the mountains. It sounds to me like you're imply that this truck isn't any good for anything but driving empty. I will say this, I'm coming from a 12V with the NV4500, and 3. 54s in it, which could comfortably tow 8-10,000lbs without making it cough up a lung. This new truck feels much more capable and has a lot closer shift ratios than that old 5spd had. To each their own, I'm not trying to convince anyone otherwise.

 

[DGamelin]

Your rig is going to work just fine. With 354s you could tow in 5th all day long at reasonable speeds if you had to. I have a customer with a 01 354s nv5600 he has been hauling 20k with that thing for over 400k miles. He says he leaves it in 5th lets it pull. I have ran along side him he ran a consistent 60. I dont know how he does it.

 

[DPKetchum]

Hey I've owned them with 3. 54 gearing and driven many with it. In flatlands that gearing works for towing. Anywhere else it makes it a chore and is hard on the rest of the truck. That gear was for a commuter truck and thats how it was classified by Chrysler.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Your rig is going to work just fine. With 354s you could tow in 5th all day long at reasonable speeds if you had to. I have a customer with a 01 354s nv5600 he has been hauling 20k with that thing for over 400k miles. He says he leaves it in 5th lets it pull. I have ran along side him he ran a consistent 60. I dont know how he does it.

Thank you. I think there is probably more emphasis on driver capability sometimes too than what is often considered. Like you said with your customer hauling the 20K. Look at what guys used to get done with the old Cummins 250s

Hey I've owned them with 3. 54 gearing and driven many with it. In flatlands that gearing works for towing. Anywhere else it makes it a chore and is hard on the rest of the truck. That gear was for a commuter truck and thats how it was classified by Chrysler.

I agree, 3. 54 was a bit of a chore to tow with in the mountains and living in BC I've been found the odd mountain pass or two. But, I have had no problem with getting there a bit slower, it can be the nature of towing in the mountains and those that forget that rule will get themselves in trouble sooner or later. I don't think the pitfall was solely the 3. 54 but also the NV4500 5 speed, with the large gaps that were in between 2-3, 3-4, and somewhat between 4-5. This 'new' G-56 is just a nice setup. At 40MPH I'm turning about 2000RPM in 4th gear.

 

[DPKetchum]

3. 54 didn't do any better with a auto. Made these trucks drive like a loaded low powered over the road rig. 80 downhill and 45 and gutting uphill. I've swapped out several to 4. 10s for myself and customers in years back. Even in 02 with the 24valves it stunk for towing and working any kind of weight. Getting kinda by is all that gear was good for.

 

[Coalsmoke]

I don't think anyone feels that the automatic counterpart of the NV4500 was any sort of winner in hauling applications.

 

[GButia]

The 3:42 is absolutely perfect for the g56. Much different animal than the nv trannies. The g56 w/ 3:73 is at roughly 2200rpm at 70 mph, same as an older truck w/ 4:10's. The 3:42 is like havin a 3:73 and the auto, the 4:10 isn't even an option with the g56.