4.10 or not 4.10

[fritzimax]

Hello one and all, I would like to know all the pros and cons of ordering an 03 2500 Quadcab 4X4 H. O. 6speed with the 4. 10 rear. I do plan to tow a camper on the weekend #5000 for now but larger in the future. I thank all who reply

 

[BCFAST]

Unless you NEVER plan on driving over about 60mph, get the longer ratio. A diesel makes torque, not horsepower... and it makes it's torque at a much lower rpm than a gas motor... blah,blah (you've heard all this before)... . anyway, your new truck wont even NOTICE 5000lbs on it; heck, all it will do is ride better... . and should you start hooking up to a big trailer... say 15,000+, then all you'll need to do is add some power, not lower gearing. Enjoy your new sled!

Brian

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Get the 4. 1 gears if you are going to pull over 12,000 lbs or if your are going to mount oversize tires.

 

[mopars1]

I have had the two gear ratios available up till now, 4. 10's and 3. 55's, you are going to get 3. 73's unless you order the 4. 10's. I would not get the 4. 10's unless you are going to tow a heavy load and like to drive slow. As was stated above, unless you are going to go heavy (11,000+) I would stick with the 3. 73's. They will get the job done and if you like to drive 75mph down the highway you won't be running 2500rpm as you would with the 4. 10's.

 

[DHess]

You will have no problem with the 3. 73. Personally I like the 4. 10 - easier to get and maintain RPMs. There was a post a week or so ago (I can't find it now) where a comparison was done between the 3. 73 and 3. 55. With the new 17" wheels, the rpms in the same gear at the same speed were almost the same between the two ratios. That being the case, the 17" rims will make the 4. 10 seem like the old 3. 93 which for me is more the ideal ratio.

 

[kchristopher]

Originally posted by DHess

You will have no problem with the 3. 73. Personally I like the 4. 10 - easier to get and maintain RPMs. There was a post a week or so ago (I can't find it now) where a comparison was done between the 3. 73 and 3. 55. With the new 17" wheels, the rpms in the same gear at the same speed were almost the same between the two ratios. That being the case, the 17" rims will make the 4. 10 seem like the old 3. 93 which for me is more the ideal ratio.

This earlier comparison was apparently in error, as they assumed the same 75% aspect ratio. The 2003 tires come with a 70% aspect ratio (see https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55042), so the overall diameter remains mostly unchanged.

 

[RobG]

My 2001 HO has 4. 10's... an option I didn't really want, but I didn't have the choice unless I wanted to wait 60+ days to order a truck.



I ended up putting a US Gear Overdrive on it just to get some decent RPMs at cruise. I use OD in 6th almost exclusively when unloaded... it's not often that I can use it when carrying my Lance camper and/or towing a big load because of EGTs due to my mods (DD3's, HX-40, 4" exhaust, DD Hot UPM, etc).



Normally when carry a load, I leave the OD off and just use the 4. 10 ratio. With the OD on, I have an effective 3. 28 because of the 20% overdrive. The truck pulls the load just fine with the OD on even when I'm fully loaded and weigh upwards of 18,000 (truck and trailer), but I still prefer the 4. 10's because it doesn't seem to work the truck as hard... I don't have to wait for the torque surge to accelerate, it just does it.



That being said, if I was getting a 2500, I would probably get 4. 10's simply because I would put bigger tires on it, thus dropping the ratio back down.



BUT, on a dually, or if you were 100% CERTAIN you would never change the stock tire diameter, I think 3. 73's are ideal.



Clear as mud?



Rob

 

[Lucas]

I got the 4. 10's on mine cause I pull pretty heavy as you can see in my Sig. It is not rare for me to pull 20-25k.

 

[JRG]

As I have been reading, this could depend on what transmission one would go with. As I have read, the auto has a higher final drive, or lower rpm at a given speed. This might push a person to go with 4. 10 with an auto and 3. 73 with a 6sp. I have been in the same boat and I "think" this is where I'm heading.



JRG

 

[Casey Balvert]

I need max towing capacity

I went 4. 10 on my new truck to get the maximum rated towing capacity. My current truck has 4. 10 and I am happy with it. I still get good mileage, it pulls like a champ and I top out close to 90 mph. My next fifth wheel will come in close to 16,000 if not a little more. I agree with the others though, go with the 3. 73 unless you have a specific requirement for the higher ratio. Good luck.



Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Darth Vader next week. (I still check the lot every morning just in case) Oo.



Casey