3.54 or 4.10??

[SandDemon]

Howdy everyone. Just got my login active and I'm ready to start learnin'. I have 2 trucks lined up (both 2001 3/4 4x4 HO) and am gonna write the check this week. The only question left is 3. 54 or 4. 10. I haul a 9000lb 5er on mostly flat ground in AZ (75mph limit). Will the 4. 10 keep me too slow? Or will the 3. 54 be too tall for 6th? The LSD is attractive but I can get an aftermarket.

 

[Okie-Go]

I have the HO with the 3. 55 gears. Love it. With the 6 spd you can just grab 5th if needed. I have never wished I had the 4. 10 in mine. The anti-slip is nice.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Mr. B]

I would suggest the 4. 10 rear end. I would think that you will want taller tires in the future. If you have taller tires and tow a 9K trailer you will wear the clutch a bit.
The power is there. I added a 22% OD to my 3. 54 Auto and it pulls the same in both. But, milage didn't go up as I would like.
I know that our trucks gets better milage above 2k rpm than below 1800. ad it doesn't care if it sits at 22-2500rpm.
Go 4. 10, "It is cheaper to get taller tires than change rear ends later, and you can see big-fat-tires!"

 

[Kent Hepworth]

For 28 years I was a Professor of Engineering at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) until I retired to Tennessee in 1996. Living in the mountains of Arizona I know the need for towing power in Arizona especially driving at elevations exceeding 7000 ft. In the 1980's I had a Chevy Suburban 6. 2L Diesel (130 HP) with 4:10 rear drive ratio. Due to lack of power I installed a turbocharger in order to pull a 28 ft Airstream (until the upgrade my towing speed on I-17 grades was at best 35 mph, then increased to 50 mph after turbo charging). I now drive a 2001 Ram 2500 HO, 6 speeds, with Limited Slip 4:10 rear end. I still return to Arizona about twice per year. I drive the Ram at "legal speed" (75 mph ~2400 rpm). I find no strain on drive train or driver and lots of "throttle" and power remaining at all encountered elevations. I am absolutely delighted with the 4:10 and 6 speed, I would repeat this drive-line set-up again given the chance. I also installed an Exhaust Temperature Gage (pre-turbo) and boost gage and recommend you add these instruments ASAP.

 

[MikeR]

If you're gonna put bigger tires on a 4x4,then the 3. 54's will suck!

-Mike

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'00 2500QC,4x4,LWB,Dark Garnet,6spd,3. 54lsd,SLT,DD stage II,Psychotty air,10-level PM3,Jacobs ebrake,Isspro pyro & boost gauges,2wd-low,Airoquip fuel lines,Smittybilt nerfs,BFG 285/75 AT's,Midland cb,Clarion 6-disc changer

 

[LSMITH]

If I were going to buy a new one off of the lot tomorrow I think I would take the 4. 10 and as soon as the factory rubber died I would put a set of 35" tires on it. I have the 3. 54 and 33" tires. It is a little too high geared for me. As for trucks getting better mileage at or over 2k rpm I can tell you that mine absolutely does NOT. I have gotten my best mileage at 1600, uphill and down. At 2000 rpm I am dowm 3. 5-4 mpg from 1600 rpm.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[HC]

I haul a 9000lb 5er on mostly flat ground in AZ (75mph limit). Will the 4. 10 keep me too slow? Or will the 3. 54 be too tall for 6th?

This is one of those topics where this group seems to split almost 50/50. Some #'s to consider:
3. 54, 75 mph, 2125 rpm
4. 10, 75 mph, 2450 rpm
3. 54, 5th gear, 2450 rpm, = 63. 4 mph
To me, 3. 54 seems best for HO's which all have manual transmissions, but I recommend you search on "3. 54 vs. 4. 10" and read some of the other threads on this to gather more opinions. As noted, if you plan to go with bigger tires later, that may swing your decision towards the 4. 10's.

 

[SandDemon]

Thanks guys. I will put 33's on it and when I travel empty I want to drive at 80-85. That puts me at around 2500(4. 1) or 2200 (3. 54). The $32000 question is can I hold 6th at 1900 with a 9000lb trailer (flat ground)? #ad

 

[jkern]

i run the 33" tires and a 3. 54 LSD rear end with the 5speed. let me say that i wish for interstate driving that i could have about a 3. 23 rear. actually on a trip to colorado (3000 miles round) running with two people and luggage, i believe that i could've gotten much better economy with higher gears. the cummins has plenty of power for the 3. 54 gears, even towing. pulled 7k lbs about 600 miles, and while performance sufferd some, it was still highly acceptable(running stock). on another note however, if ya run 33" and a 3. 54 don't plan on getting better than 15mpg. in 22k miles i have never gotten better than 16. 5mpg... don't let some people fool you with mpg claims... my real world driving experience(hills, mountains, flat, interstate, and back roads) says that about 15-16mpg is the best for this set up.

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Jeremy Kern
1999 2500HD 4x4 QC,SB, ISB, 5spd, 3. 54LSD, 33x12. 50 cooper STT's Denver off-road bumper with Ramsey RE12000, PIAA series 520, Rancho RS9000's, heavy ft. springs, JVD Torque Enhancer, DiPricol boost and pryo gauges, and a bunch of other little things! www.geocities.com/phrn30 for pics!

 

[LSMITH]

jkern, I get 17-18 around town and 21-22 on the highway at 65mph. At 80 mph for 600 miles across Nebraska I got 18. 2, both ways. I have the 3. 54 and I run 33" tires. 4X4 with a grillguard to boot. The lowest I have ever seen is 17 empty. I have 53k on the truck and all of these figures are hard math, not trip computer. I also fill to the overflow tube in the filler neck every time so I know that I am getting the same amount of fuel in that I started with. On the other hand, I know a guy that had a 98. 5 24v that NEVER got over 14. His average in the 25k that he had the truck was 11. 9. All trucks are not the same. I think driving habits have more to do with mileage than anyone cares to admit too.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[TomGolden]

SandDemon, I don't have a lot of miles/experience with my Ram yet, but I'll pass along what I do have.

I got my truck in late September 2000, installed EGT/boost gauges immediately. Completely stock otherwise to date. In mid-October, my dad and I went to Wyoming to hunt Elk. We drove my Ram and towed his 1990 Toyota 4x4 behind it. Both trucks were loaded a little more than bed high, so I'd guess I had 1500 lbs in Godzilla, and was towing a total oc maybe 5000 lbs. My folks live near Barstow, CA on highway 15, and we drove highway 15 from there to Salt Lake City, then #80 into Wyoming. Anyway, if you've ever been on highway 15 going to Las Vegas near the NV/CA stateline, you know there are a few miles of decently steep/long hills. I'd guess maybe 20 miles or so of about 6% grade. Well, i was able to pull up everyone of those hills in 6th gear all the way and never exceeded 1000 degrees on the EGT gauge. I was able to keep at least 55 MPH, I wasn't trying to set any land speed records #ad


All through Utah on the mostly flat ground, I was easily able to scream in 6th! Easily accelerate up to 75MPH at will.

I realize your trailer is almost twice as heavy, but I thought I'd provide this experience anyway. I'd think on flat ground you'd have absolutely no problems holding 75MPH in 6th gear with the 3. 54 rear gears.

Tom


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Get outta the way: The Cummins is Cummin'!

Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, TDR decal, Jack antenna ball
2001 Zinc Yellow SVT Mustang Cobra on order
NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[One Old Dog]

Will here what i pull with 3:54 rr end. I pull with a 3500 2x4 with a 28 ft 5th wheel and an 18ft walleye boat behind the 5th wheel total length of 65 feet and have not seen a hill that i had to shift down on yet. Not to say there are not there but I like the 3:54 it does a good job for me. Just my two cents worth.

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Dirt Water Fox

 

[Scooby]

SandDemon,

I struggled with this for weeks - it kept me up at night and I ended up changing my ordered truck from 4. 10's to 3. 54's halfway through the order. Earthroamer has changed from 3. 54's to 3. 73's and will now change to 4. 10's (according to his website). He changed from stock to 33" to 35", respectively.

I have the 3. 54's now and am happy with them. I get 16-18 mpg with an empty truck on average (mostly highway driving). I am concerned about moving up in tire size. My truck is an auto.

What I don't understand is why are you concerned about dropping out of 6th? If you tow infrequently, I'd probably go with 3. 54's for mileage and then drop down to 5th for towing uphill or for speeding with larger tires. Then again there are people who say the 4. 10's are great and they claim to get similar mileage... .

There is no correct answer - just personal choice. After being told I needed to "**** or get off the pot", I just went with a choice. We aren't saving lives here - if you end up making a mistake, it can always be changed (it's only money! #ad
)



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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, SPA guages, Alpha Liner,DTT VB, SnugTop XV shell with BedRug, Grovers, Roadmasters... every option but running lights!

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

[Dane]

IMO - Unless you're going to 35" tires get the 3. 54 with the six speed and HO motor. Great combination! 1st gear is never used except for pulling stumps and starting off with heavy loads. If you were pulling 90% of the time the 4. 10s would be the call, but if it's 90% unloaded, the 3. 54 is the only choice...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[D.Duncan]

I live in the mountains of wetern North Carolina, the 3. 54 is sufficient.

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01' QuadCab 4x4 auto, 3. 54, MP 12-disc changer
MP tow hooks, Speedliner, UWS toolbox, Garnet red w/
driftwood. Pure Stocker

 

[WCrovo]

I like the combo I've got 3. 54's, 6 speed, HO. I did my first real tow this weekend over a 9,000 foot + mountain pass towing about a 8,000 lb travel trailer and was able to keep up with cars. I couldn't of asked for anything more.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH, Bright white.

 

[Wiredawg]

SandDemon:

Last May, I was looking looking for a new Ram 4X4 QC Cummins with a 4. 10 axles to tow a 5th wheel trailer. Found my 2000 used with 3. 54s for $28K out the door with only 9. 5K miles. Anyway, I figured for all the savings, I could change 'em out if they didn't do well.

I bought a 15K lb 5th wheel that my truck pulls really well. Towed it from Texas to Maryland via I40. Ran with the big dawgs (18 wheelers)70 MPH the whole way and was in 6th gear 95% of the time.

I use my truck as a daily driver here in DC and the 3. 54s work really well empty.

Hope this adds some fuel to the fire, #ad


Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

[This message has been edited by Wiredawg (edited 01-23-2001). ]

 

[Cliffman]

This has always been a HOT debate #ad
. and here's my . 02. IF YOUR GONA BOMB IT GO WITH THE 3:54's, The mighty Cummings can handle it #ad
.

If your new truck is a 4X4 and you pull a 5er, don’t forget about the overall height of the truck if you go with 4:10 and the larger tires #ad
.

I pull a 15,000 LBS 5er with the 3:54's and I love it. I can pull a 6% grade at 62 mph and that's no bullsh!t #ad
#ad
#ad
.

Bottom line: 3:54’s if you BOMB and 4:10’s if you “pull” and don’t BOMB.


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2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, Long Bed, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE) Loven the shift thing (Arrrrrh), 3:54, SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, 18,000 LB 5th Wheel Hitch, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, BDs E-Brake, Rhino Liner (gray), Velvet ride shackles, cup smoothy, Power Edge box / EZ Box w/elbo, DD Stage III injectors, McLeod Dual Disk Clutch, K&N, SPA Gauges, Jardine Exhaust, 16cm turbo housing. Love the smell of diesel in the morning. Hope your watchen DC cuz every thing you see here is a big lie, Hehe.

 

[PRout]

I pull a 28' fiver w/ 3. 54 gears, 33" tires on a 4x4 6speed. No prob.

I will say that it does feel a little "tall" on the gearing, but not tall enough to be worth paying 1000 bucks to change em out.

3. 73 gears would probably be the perfect compromise. The 90% rule of thumb mentioned earlier sounds reasonable.

I think if I was gonna pay a grand for a gear change, Id opt to pay 2 grand for a 2 speed gearbox & have the best of both worlds!

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2k, 27k miles, QC, SB, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54, 285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), Sunnybrook 28' fiver, 16,780 lbs. 18. 5 mpg (unloaded), 12-14 mpg (loaded). VA, DD1's, PS Boost module & elbow... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), twin turbos, 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). More BOMBING to come!!

 

[SandDemon]

Great discussion. Thanks a ton. (well 3/4 ton anyway #ad
I pick up the 3. 54 equipped truck tomorrow.

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 2500 4x4 4. 10 lsd. 34' Weekend Warrior 5er and an army of toys to fill it!