Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 3.54 gears

[PGaither]

Yes, I think I have 3. 54 gears on my 96 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD SLT-4X4, but I almost never tow, or haul heavy loads, and I drive a lot of highway miles,( about 30,000 a year) would it make any sense to put difrerent gears in the rear end to get more pick up and better mileage?



Phil

 

[JohnE]

Hi Phil;



Fill (no pun intended) in your stats so we know if you are doing a lot of mountain driving or live in frying pan flats as me.



I have 3. 54 gears and driving 70 on the freeway gets me to around 2,000 rpm. Anything lower ratio and you would be either staying in 3rd gear (O/D off button lit) or lugging it in O/D when down around 55 mph.

Oh yes, I consistently get low 20's for highway mileage.



If you want better pickup, then BOMBing is in your future.

 

[y-knot]

I don't think I would change any gears (ring & pinnion), but you might consider a overdrive unit like gear venders? I don't know how much a few extra miles to the gallon are worth to you???? you state you drive about 30K miles a year, If you got 18 mpg now and went with the gear vender unit and it got you up to 21 mpg, you would save 238. 1 gals a year or about $ 333. 34 a years. At that rate it would take you about 7 1/2 years to recop your investment. Now, alot of people don't do improvements based on logic( just ask my wife), but some might? If saving about 333 dollars ayear, plus getting to play with a new toy does it for you, when hey why not? Most people on here spend way more then that and don't get any mpg improvements at all, some loss mpg's. You decide what you what, can afford, and can live with. Good luck.

 

[PGaither]

Thanks for reply

Thanks for the rely. You guys are right for the amount of savings it would get me, I 'm probably better off with the 3. 54 gears. I live in Massachusets near Cape Cod, which has hilly areas, there are a long series of gradual uphils runs on my daily comute, but the truck seems to to very well, I run about 2,000 RPM also at 70 mph. Your right I might be bettor off doing performance & reliability uprades when I have the money. First thing I should do is a sending unit, my gas gauge stopped working!

 

[PGaither]

and.....

Oh by the way its a 4X4, and I get about 18-19 Mpg on the highway if I stay at about 70 mph (2,000 RPM).



Phil

 

[Bhale]

Hey Phil!



Were setup the same with the 3:54 rear and my milage runs 19-22 depending on how heavy my shoes are. Keep the 3:54 if you like the milage. If you feel the need for more performance, call TST and get a plate (#4?) and 3k GSK. It's only a couple hundred $$ for some amazing performance gains! A complete novice can do it in about 6 hours if you take your time.

Also, start saving now for a new transmission as these trucks can blow one out once the power starts to go up.

See my sig. This has been my daily driver since i bought it new in '96 and it's a blast to drive!