410 or 373 gear in 3500 DRW

[chipster]

Just looking into buying a new 14 3500 DRW with the AISIN but looks like the 410 is not an optional with the AISIN only 373 342. I pull a 13k Montana but looking to up grade to a used Teton I know they weight in 20 25k range so will the 373 or the 342 be sufficient for what I'm doing and might do in the future. it seems like the 342s are to small of a gear for a 1 ton DRW.

 

[RVTRKN]

Go with the 3:73, or 4:10 if you can get the 4:10.

 

[JGilbert]

4.10 gears are available. I have seen some window stickers with the 4.10 gears as a $50 option, but not many. It seems that dealers are hesitant to order many trucks in 4.10. They order WAY too many 3.42 rear ends. You can't tow much of anything with those 3.42 gears. 3.73 is a nice choice. It is also a $50 option on the sticker.

Joe

 

[Cummins12V98]

4.10 gears are available. I have seen some window stickers with the 4.10 gears as a $50 option, but not many. It seems that dealers are hesitant to order many trucks in 4.10. They order WAY too many 3.42 rear ends. You can't tow much of anything with those 3.42 gears. 3.73 is a nice choice. It is also a $50 option on the sticker.

Joe

I totally disagree about the 3:42's. I have them and have a combined weight of nearly 29K. Slowest speed border to border on I-5 is 55 in 3rd gear. Where the 3:42's have trouble is starting off on a steep grade. I tow in 6th on flat to hilly and lock into 5th with more hilly terrain. I average hand calc 9.5 West coast towing. 50K and no problems.

All that said my next Dually will have the 4:10's and the Aisin.

 

[JGilbert]

I expect to get one this Monday. It will have the Aisin and 3.73 gears. I tried to get 4.10 gears but they are few and far between. I guess I am too picky, but when I want the tow prep also, it really drops down the number of available trucks. Add in the flame red color and boom, there is 1 flame red Laramie to be had in north Texas with Aisin and 3.73 gears, 4x4 DRW, Laramie, and I'm getting it Monday. knock on wood.

Joe

 

[Dutch & Di]

We ordered our 2014 single cab DRW Ram with the Aisin and the 4.10 gear. We had no problem ordering it. We pull a Carriage 5th wheel that weighs almost 23k. Hugs, Di

 

[Wingate]

I expect to get one this Monday. It will have the Aisin and 3.73 gears. I tried to get 4.10 gears but they are few and far between. I guess I am too picky, but when I want the tow prep also, it really drops down the number of available trucks. Add in the flame red color and boom, there is 1 flame red Laramie to be had in north Texas with Aisin and 3.73 gears, 4x4 DRW, Laramie, and I'm getting it Monday. knock on wood.

Joe

according to this chart by RAM your truck (if its a crew cab) is rated to tow a trailer and contents weighing 23,990 lbs.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2014_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

 

[moparnut72]

I have a DRW 3500 with 4.10's. I didn't look to see which ratio it had when I bought it. The window sticker was not on the truck. I test drove it and the rpms felt perfect for the speeds I was driving. I discovered later that I had the 4.10's. Iam glad I do because it is perfect for towing and the speeds I am limited to. It also probably explains why the truck was on the lot so long and the deal they were willing to make and why the window sticker was "hidden". I would caution that this ratio may not be for everyone especially if you live in flat country and/or can drive at higher speeds.
kk

 

[chipster]

Thank you for all you input I'm leaning towards the 410 then. What's the difference between the 410 and 373 in rpm on hwy speeds anyone know. I'll use this truck for a daily driver until I fultime it in a few years.

 

[RustyJC]

The Aisin has approximately the same 6th gear ratio as the 68RFE. With the 68RFE and the OEM tires on my 2011 truck, RPMs are as follows at 60 MPH:

4.10 - 1625 RPM
3.73 - 1478 RPM
3.42 - 1355 RPM

Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

Well thats the hard part about the 3:73 vrs 4:10, when I ordered my 07, I chose the 3:73 because it was planed for 50/50 HWY/City driving, and it turned out that I mostly tow with it. Now I wished it had the 4:10, especially due to my G56, being that its easier on the trans. That being said, if you don't mind the higher RPM's and fuel costs, then the 4:10 is your best option. As far as MPG goes, it will get less MPG in the city (daily driver), but if your going to tow alot, it will actually get better MPG towing, because its easier for the drive train to move it along and the engine won't work as hard.

 

[JGilbert]

according to this chart by RAM your truck (if its a crew cab) is rated to tow a trailer and contents weighing 23,990 lbs.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2014_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

Yes, I am looking forward to having a more capable truck. My 2012 with Max Tow 4.10 rear is capable of 19,500, which with my 38 foot DRV 5th wheel pushing 18,500 lbs, it is close. That Aisin transmission must be a hoss!! 3.73 gears AND 23,990 lbs towing, sounds very good to me. I decided to trade just in case we decided to get a newer, bigger, heavier trailer in the future.

Joe

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yes, I am looking forward to having a more capable truck. My 2012 with Max Tow 4.10 rear is capable of 19,500, which with my 38 foot DRV 5th wheel pushing 18,500 lbs, it is close. That Aisin transmission must be a hoss!! 3.73 gears AND 23,990 lbs towing, sounds very good to me. I decided to trade just in case we decided to get a newer, bigger, heavier trailer in the future.

Joe

I will love to hear what your impression will be towing with a 14 and 3:73's compared to your 12 with 4:10's. I hope you are not disappointed. No way would I want the 3:73's towing a heavy MS/Elite. Mine weighs nearly 19K. I will have 4:10's in the future.

 

[chipster]

RustyJC is that your towing rpm or just normal driving 147rpm different from 410 to 373 is not that bad. Is that 4 to 5 mpg lost.

 

[CThomsen]

I'm very happy with the 373 in my 13. I don't pull real heavy though. Truck and 5er loaded is about 21k. I recently towed 2500 miles mostly interstate @75 and averaged 10mpg with plenty of power.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I really doubt there is much difference in mileage between the rear axle ratios.

 

[Wertles]

I have a 13 with 4.10's and the Aisin. My trailer loaded is easily 18,000 pounds. The truck tows it like it's an empty snowmobile trailer. I have to use cruise to keep my speeds down. The 13-14 model years with the Aisin are hard to compare to the older models. It is a totally different animal with 385/850. I was a die hard 4.10 guy but I really wish I had gone with the 3.73. I do 80% driving empty, loaded with wood/other truck stuff, or towing lightly and 20% towing the 5th wheel. I would gladly take a mpg or two with the 3.73 most of the time for the more occasional downshift while towing. Just my 0.02.

 

[Wingate]

TBH, i was extremely skeptical of the 3:42 gear set until I looked at the towing charts. Theres a significant difference between the Aisin and 68. When towing my 2013 Jayco Eagle 33.5 5er, I will say that if it werent for the mirrors, I would forget the RV was back there! Its effortless!

 

[RustyJC]

RustyJC is that your towing rpm or just normal driving?

Not sure I understand your question, but the answer is both. With the torque converter locked up, the RPM at 60 MPH in 6th is the same if the Mobile Suites is hitched to the truck or I'm running bobtail.

Rusty

 

[gsbrockman]

Theres a significant difference between the Aisin and 68.

Exactly.....and that's why the 3.73's and 4.10's shine that much more when coupled with the Aisin. The first three gears are very different between the Aisin and 68RFE....especially if you look at the % difference between the gears.
Aisin : 1st 3.75, 2nd 2.00, 3rd 1.34, 4th 1.00, 5th .77, 6th .63
68RFE : 1st 3.23, 2nd 1.84, 3rd 1.41, 4th 1.00, 5th .82, 6th .63