Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 3.54 to 4.10 Gear Swap

[klaybus]

Anyone done this? Looking to swap out my 3. 54's to 4. 10's. Is it as simple as swapping out the Ring & Pinion gears? Where did you get them & what was the cost? Have you got a "brand" name of gear you went with?



TIA,

Clay

 

[Beast2B]

Hey Clay,

I'm NOT an expert, but I am told that you can go to 3. 92 with the same carriers, but to go 4. 10 you need different carriers. I'm checking out this option too, my new trailer puts me in the hunt for better ratios! If you're looking for parts, check any four wheel drive magazine, there are a bunch of companies that offer package deals on hardware

(I'm not affiliated with any business, but I have dealt with www.4wheelparts.com and www.nationaldrivetrain.com with good results before, others have mentioned www.central4wd.com or www.summitracing.com)

 

[csutton7]

I did it almost 5 yrs ago and you could only get 4:10's-I had 4 whl parts do it--used a detroit locker in the rear and ARB in the front--you have very few choices on the front which will work--the ARB was my only choice when I did it--chris

 

[OTRPU]

Don't know why you guys wanna change rear ends, I pull trailers everyday and have no complaints running the hills leading the pack. Now Parleys Summit will drag me down some with a fiver, but I'm still first one over the hill. To date, only been about 3 big trucks than could kick my ass. And one of them literally stomped me into the ground. Went flying by me and I could have turned the crank faster by hand than OTRPU was running. Giving it all it had, just din't have nuttin as far as this monster was concerned. It was too dark and I don't know how to identify the tractors that well yet so I don't know what it was. . . other than it was a brute fire breathin dragon. Funny, most big trucks get pizzed when I blow them off pulling a good sized fiver. One guy called me either stupid or had balls of an ape. I passed him giving it all I had while he was giving it all he had, and I was getting off cause of the heavy downpouring rain, mucho wind, at the Clive, IA Flying J. Don't know why I was stupid, only going alittle faster than he was. On the road in Winnamucca, NV, trying like hell to make it back for Muncie pulls Friday party and events Saturday at least. Would have made it easy cept I hit a deer tonight, deer kicked the Rams ass. Deer walked away, left me only able to drive daytime unless I can find parts to fix right front headlghts. A real handicap only driving days.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[Beast2B]

I love the ratio, but with 37" tires going to 4. 10 would put me back close to stock tires and 3. 54 gears. My priorities have changed since I got a heavier trailer, lower gears would serve me better.

 

[Berserker]

3.54 to 4.10

Clay,



It looks like you have the same basic truck that I have. Dana 70 in the rear and 60 up front.



I changed from the 3. 54's to the 4. 10's. Mostly due to the fact that I do have 35" tires and might plan on 37's. It will have higher RPM's on the freeway. Before I did the swap there were days when I probably didn't hit 2100rpm's!



It was just a ring and pinion, front and back. The shop I used charged about $1500 using genuine Dana parts and Amsoil lube.



I also do a fair bit of off roading and the 4. 10's make a huge difference. I also have a truck camper that when I load up makes my vehicle close to 12000lbs. Plus I tow my boat or trailer at least once a week about 350 miles each way.



For me it made a lot of sense and I really didn't notice a change in mpg's.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Unless you're towing ALL the time or running +35" tires I'd stick with 3. 54s. Even then I'd probably go to 3. 73s or 3. 92. I have 4. 10s, 315/75R16s and a 6spd and I'm always looking for 7th gear unless I'm towing my 36ft 5th wheel and then the 4. 10s are perfect. The best I've seen is 17mpg at 65mph on I-5 from Sacramento to Vancouver, WA.



I'd try 275HP or slightly more aggressive injectors before I'd spend the money on regearing.



Brian

 

[Texsmri]

I was also thinking of eventually going to a higher gear ratio. I have the stock 3. 54's in and when I am going up a hill in 6th gear with a loaded trailer it really drags down. I have done a little research and I think I will probably go with the 3. 92's over the 4. 10 due to carrier restrictions.

 

[Berserker]

Carrier

I just wanted to make it clearer in my above post that with my truck which is a 99 auto 4x4 w/dana 60 & 70 there was no difference in carriers. Just Ring, Pinion and fluid.



Other trucks may vary.

 

[Beast2B]

Berserker, Do you know if they used some kind of spacer for your gear swap? I have read here before and heard from a gear shop in Sacramento that the carrier is different, the 3. 92 using one carrier with lower numerical ratios and the 4. 10 using a different carrier with numerically higher ratios... not doubting it got done, just would like to know where the gray area is!

 

[BMartinson]

CLAY, I live just a short north of you here in Marysville and was looking to do the same except my 410's to 354's. Mine came with these and I don't tow, except the two seedoo's which I have towed a 1,000 miles out of the 40,000 miles on the truck. Mine is a 99 QC SB 4x4. It pretty much stays in the garage and gets pampered. Let me know what you find out and the cost and such. Thanks Brad

 

[982500]

i changed from 4. 10s to 3. 54s and all i needed was gears, used the same carrier btw does anyone need some 4. 10 gears?

 

[OTRPU]

You been PM'ed.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[RACE427]

With the price of fuel their is no way in hell would I swap over to 4:10s from 3:54s. Just pull that hill in 5 th gear and enjoy the ride!!! Good Luck in your decision!!

 

[RobertMiller1]

spacer or carrier

you can't go from 3. 54 to 4. 10 without a different carrier or a ring spacer in the Dana 44 60 or 70.



***** EDIT!!! WRONG..... SO SORRY. the 70 and 80 split at 4:10 and numberically lower and 4:56 and higher. The D44 was at a lower ration *****



Either solution is no big deal. Spacer is cheaper and nothing to worry about.



you can get new Ring and Pinion sets regularly for $150 each. quality leading brands.



A good setup should cost about $175 - $200 each differential.



I just had my Dana 44 done. R&P were $129 in 4. 56 brand new. cost $175 to have it set up. which is no minor task.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

I looked into this... Pro-Gear in San Diego told me that it would cost about $450 for the gears and software and another $400 to install everything. I have a Dana 80 with 3. 54 gear.

I decided to use 3rd and 4th more and to push deeper into the RPM band and save my money. I do more driving without my 5th wheel than with and I did not want to have to pay for the extra fuel I would burn with 4. 10s (without a load @ 70 MPH). This has worked for me but I have 26575R16s unlike most of the other posts I saw.

 

[tcourse]

Actually you do have to change carriers for 4. 10 and up in the dana 80. And they don't list the case only. You have to buy a loaded carrier, or find one elsewhere, like on ebay as I did.



I'm changing to 4. 10's and next tire change going up to 255-85.



Klaybus, did you do yours yet. If not I'll keep my eyes open for parts.

 

[SEmerson]

A freind of mine in southern cal has 4. 10 and would love to swap for 3. 55. Pm me if anyone is interested.



He only has the rear BTW

 

[jabird]

Anyone looking to swap????? Have a 96 Dana 80 with 4:10... . looking to go to 3:54

 

[RobertMiller1]

correction

tcourse.



This note is from Precision gears site.

I have seen same note on DanaSpicer site.



4. 10 and below use same carrier. Over 4. 10 is different carrier.



Tech Note:

When replacing a 4. 10 and numerically lower ratio gear set with a 4. 56 or higher gear, the case must be changed to a 4. 56 and higher case.