4:10's or not?

[rholcom2]

One of my friends are preparing to buy an '03. He is wanting to buy one with 4:10's, I seem to think that the 3:73's are more ideal, when he doesnt pull anything very heavy for long periods of time. What are you guys finding with the new ones, as you can see I still have my 24V. Thanks

 

[SRadke]

I do lots of highway driving and a little heavy towing for short distances. I had a 96 with 350's and tall tires and I loved it. The 373's in my 03 just slow me down. Going to have to get taller tires for this one too.

With power of a CTD the high ratios are not a bad thing.

My $. 02

 

[Boonieman]

I have the 4:10's and for what I'm using my truck for I'm very happy with them. That being said, my last truck was a 2001. 5 with 3:55's. It was an awsome road-trip truck and I never did run out of engine. I just didn't like the auto transmission or I'd still have that truck. My advice is tell your friend to take a very sincere test drive on an interstate before laying down the bucks.

 

[Dean Upson]

I have 4. 10's on my truck and am very happy with it towing and driving at legal speeds. I would not buy that ratio if I didn't use the truck to tow a heavy load. If I was just going to have a truck just to drive around in and not really use for heavy duty work, the 1500 or 2500 QC HEMI 4wd would be a real serious consideration. I love the diesel (had one since '86), but would not go to the expense of having one if I did not work the truck.



Dean

 

[David Muench]

I have a 3. 73 auto with 35" BFG tires. If I were to do it over again, I'd go with 4. 10's with this setup.



However, if I weren't going to upgrade tire size, or went with the stick instead of the auto, I'd go with 3. 73's for my uses (mostly empty, some towing now and then). But I think the auto needs the 4. 10's for towing. In overdrive with the big tires and 3. 73's, I am doing 75+ to just do 2,000 rpms. Since I prefer to tow at 65-70, it just bogs down on hills. Dropping down to 3rd gear is really dropping too far.



So IMHO, towing heavy or big tires + auto = 4. 10's, otherwise I'd go 3. 73's.



I'm hoping that power upgrades will solve my problem, I really don't want to re-gear. . It cruises so nice empty.

 

[CKimball]

4:10's... My truck cruizes just fine at 75 @2250 rpms... only trade of is a couple of mpgs north of 70 mph... other than that... perfect combo for me... i do however pull a 15. 5k fver with a Jeep inside... had a ferd PSD with 4:10's and it bogged down big time on the 10 coming out of Indio (45mph) and this truck same load 70 mph is no prob... . and mine is a choked up calif SO truck. . soooooo...

my two cents

Cameron

 

[Posm]

I'm with David. If he will buy a 5 or 6 speed and not want to gross over about 15000 then I would get the 3:73. If you get the Auto, want taller tires, or pull over 15 K then get the 4:10.

 

[WadePatton]

3. 54 and 265's ain't TALL enough for me.



I run unloaded most of the time. And I have increased the power.



The only way I recommend 4. 10's is if you are going to MUCH larger (like 35's) tires, tow at or beyond the limits with regularity, or spend most of your time off-road, and are NEVER going to uprate the HP.

 

[jtwcummins]

I got the 4. 10s on my 97 to get limited slip diff. It is the only thing I wouldn't do again. Really reduces mileage when cruising unloaded. The Cummins has ALOT of torque everywhere in the band and these gears aren't really needed unless the limits are pushed. I have the auto and the factory TQ convertor dosen't get the pwr to the ground as well as it should, more for a gas engine. Aftermarket, DTT, converters make a big difference and 3. 73 gears should work okay. The DTT with 3. 54 is a good setup also.

If speed kills 4. 10 gears will keep you alive along time, max speed between 80 and 85.

 

[sdbelt]

I've got an auto + 3. 73 + stock tires + tow an 11k fifth wheel. I think this setup is fine, even when pulling up into the mountains. Personally, I'd like the old 3. 55 ratio and some bigger tires. 75 mph is close to 2200 rpms. That's a fairly high rpm for the CTD and 75 mph is the legal speed limit here in AZ, and many parts out west.



I plan on turning up the power some, and after the stock tires wear out, will probably move to a larger diameter tire. 3. 73 + 285 or 295 tires + 30-40 more hp will probably feel better than stock, get better mpg, and still tow my trailer just fine.

 

[Dean Upson]

It appears to me that geograhical location has a lot to do with ideal gear ratio. I notice by the posts that folks from the western states tend to travel at a much higher rate of speed than we do in the east. You will not be traveling at 70mph + here for long before you have a trooper on your tail and 80 mph is inviting the undertaker. I have driven in some areas out west and not seen another vehicle for many miles and often the roads are flat and straight. A higher gear ratio would certainly be in order there.



The best ratio for you would be whatever suits your personal needs. How much weight you pull, where you go and how fast you want to get there are your considerations. When you decide that, you will have your answer.



You can find out quite a bit from the Towing Guide on the Dodge Ram homepage.



Dean

 

[Steve M]

I've had two 4. 10s and two 3. 54s. My conclusion is 4. 10s with automatic if you tow anything. You'll be in the power band from 55-75mph. With a 5spd or 6spd, 3. 54s were ideal. If my next truck is another manual, I'll look for a 3. 73 but I'd take a 4. 10 if that's what was on the lot. The new Cummins is so quiet, noise from higher rpm isn't even a concern anymore.