4.10 Gears or not

[JF]

my 97 ram2500 4x4 was just totalled by a highway dept snow plow, and i am looking at 2001 models. I found one loaded the way i want, but it has 4. 10 gears. At this time, i do not do any heavy towing, although who knows what the future will bring. I do a lot of highway travel, and have aways been concerned with getting as high mileage as i can. How badly does the gearing effect fuel economy? Any comments??? Thanks, Jeff

Should have stated that i am looking at a 2001 QC 4x4 with auto trans. run empty at highway speeds (65-80) about 80% of time.

[This message has been edited by JF (edited 03-14-2001). ]

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I have 2001 4x4 QC 5spd with 4. 10. Best on the road running at 70mph is 19. 1mpg. Best towing at 65mph is 12mpg.

I am installing a Gearvendors overdrive.

If you have ever towed with a gasser, you will know that anything from 9-12 is pretty good mileage in a diesel.

 

[monkfarm]

I just know I always ordered 3. 54 gears, and I tow just fine. I'm always ready to shift down to 4th as to not lug, and to take take of the 5 speed. I don't think I would have a 4. 10. I think it would affect your mileage considerably. Something else to consider is why did the previous owner have those 4. 10s. Did they do lots of heavy towing??It is hard on the drivetrain. . .

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie SLT with customized aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags; 3. 54 gears
5 speed,6X4, truck mirrors, trailer towing, and camper pkgs.
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker; Amsoiled throughout. . .
2000 Peterbilt 379 with Cummins N14plus 500 hp
13 speed fuller, 70 inch Unibilt sleeper
American Class

 

[Okie-Go]

I personally think if I were concerned about fuel mileage I would holdout,if possible for the 3. 54 gears. Over a period of time the fuel saved would be money in your pocket instead of in the fuel tank.

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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

 

[Pete Peterson]

JF, you did not say which transmission it has. If it is the auto then the 4:10's will work fine and will let you tow pretty heavy without mods to the motor. If you go 6 speed you get the ETH motor and the 4:10's will pull anything. I was being cute the other nite and said that the ETH/DEE with 4:10's could pull a locomotive sideways and Weds. afternoon I had my son's tractor backed in a soft plowed field trying to turn around and it set down on the axles #ad
well the truck grunted down and out came the trailer and tractor at around 12 to 14 thousand pounds, so the 4:10's are good just a little busy on the freeway. I personally will keep the 4:10's. Pete

 

[Barry]

There are some unanswered ?s here. Is the truck you are considering a 4X4 and are you going to install larger tires in the future? Is the truck an automatic? And given the area in which you drive, can you freely run up and down the road at speeds where it would make a differance to you? I regularly drive from TX. to AZ. and cruise at 75 mph getting a solid 19 mpg. with my 4:10s. Another consideration is the 3:54s can be easily changed whereas the 4:10s are far more costly to replace. IMHO, if you are doing the 4X4 and auto thing, 4:10s is the way to go.

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI)Stage 1 injectors from Carl, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(RV Dealer)

 

[Ninearrow]

I've had both, 4:10's in a 96 and 3. 54" in my current truck. I tow quite a bit. I much prefer the 3. 54's. You can cruise at high mph and lower rpm when on the highway. You can always downshift, if you need more power when towing. I always have plenty of power. I wouln't get 4:10s again unless I was getting a Ford or a Chevy. #ad


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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver, Rancho 9000's

 

[PHaller]

You know, every time I see this topic I hear the same results from users who don't back up their mileage figures with real world comparisons. The truth is <direct from the DC rep at May Madness last year> that the 24 valvers get better mileage with the 4:10 rears because their sweet spot is around 2200 rpm. The older 12 valvers had a much lower revving motor and the 3:54 rears offered better mileage with them. The rep at MM was even a little surprised to find out that the 4:10 were better with the ISB motors because the venerable 12 valvers were always better with the 3:54s.
Call DC and ask their engineering dept to confirm what rear gives better milage with the 24 valve diesels. You just might be surprised!
-Paul R. Haller-

 

[JRG]

I believe that if you are ordering you cant get 3. 54's with a limited slip.

If your going 4x4 and you are going to put larger tires ie. 285's or larger then you would end up closer to the prefered "373's"

JRG

 

[SixShooter]

What if you had a 4x4 auto with 35"tires, which one would be best?

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by Pete Peterson:
JF, you did not say which transmission it has. If it is the auto then the 4:10's will work fine and will let you tow pretty heavy without mods to the motor. If you go 6 speed you get the ETH motor and the 4:10's will pull anything. I was being cute the other nite and said that the ETH/DEE with 4:10's could pull a locomotive sideways and Weds. afternoon I had my son's tractor backed in a soft plowed field trying to turn around and it set down on the axles #ad
well the truck grunted down and out came the trailer and tractor at around 12 to 14 thousand pounds, so the 4:10's are good just a little busy on the freeway. I personally will keep the 4:10's. Pete

The ETH/DEE with 3. 54 will pull anything also. I pulled a 28,000 lb dozer to my farm. I was rolling at over 40K. Thats awesome thing about the six speed you can drop a gear if needed. I say 3. 54s all the way


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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

[Pete Peterson]

JRG, you can get the LSD with the 3:54's don't let your dealer tell you different!!! Pete

 

[ARARAR]

NOOOOOOOOT!

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98. 5 2500 QC,SB W/ camper shell, whitw w/driftwood lower, 2wd,3. 54, loaded w/o leather,chrome Westin step bars, BD tc/vb and pressureloc,w/trans temp,4" BD exhaust from turbo back, firestone airbags, heavy duty pullrite hitch, Bug sheilds, 4x4 type mud flaps front and back, Amsoil bypass & air filter. Dual pyro-boost gauge,pillar mount, PS boost mod and elbow,
VA cpc and fuel pressure gauge, Pac-Brake.

 

[PUFF00]

JF,

I just picked up my truck last night (3500 6-speed HO), and went through the same thing you are with the gears. I drove both several times and decided on the 3. 55. I actually wanted to go with the 4. 10’s because of the extra torque multiplication, but I commute to work on a highway with a 75 mph speed limit, which means I’ll be going a little over that sometimes, and the rpm’s with the 4. 10’s were too high for me at these speeds. Also, I don’t intend to change the stock tire size. However, if I had went with the 2500 I would have put larger tires on and would have gone with the 4. 10’s. You said you do a lot of highway driving. If you are frequently up around 75-80 mph and you don’t plan on putting on larger tires, then I’d suggest the 3. 55 gears. If you think you will put on tires at least 33” in diameter, then I’d go with the 4. 10’s. Also, I have the manual trans. If I had an auto I might think differently.

I know it’s a tough choice. These are my thoughts. Hope they help.

 

[tom sweeney]

i am on my fifth ram/diesel,the first 4 were 3:54's w/auto... this time i made sure i got the 6speed with 4:10's on my ISB... the ISB
DOES get better mileage TOWING... however,if towing is not a major concern,the 3:54 would be just fine. . i commute 75 per day round trip and average 18-18. 5 mpg weekly. i have less than 14k on the truck,so it may improve,but if it doesn't... i can surely live with it just fine... at this point,i'm gald i have the 4:10's... good luck!!!... tom


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2001QC 2500HD LB ETH/DEE 4x4 4:10's LSD, Pacbrake,Combo Gauge on A pillar,All options except cab lights,Xcelerator air filter,Forest Green/Light driftwood. Westin tubular black powder-coated side bars.
26'Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator ke3Rx

 

[Hot Shot]

110,000 this year towing with 3:54's and wouldn't have anything else. (maybe 373's)

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2001 3500 QC 24V SLT Larimie, leather, BD Plug in Power, 275 injectors, BD Torque Convertor ,Valve Body, Pressure Lock, Torque-loc, Gauges,Black w/ Ranchhand bumpers Brownes HD Headache rack and a black wetherguard coffin. pullee 34Ft. gooseneck and a 32ft x 6ft stock trailer.
2000 Durnago SLT 5. 9litre V8