Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 410's-Need Advice

[ASharp]

I have a 2000 6sp 2500 with 410's



I thought I could live with the gearing but the high rpm's on the interstate are driving me nuts!



What gear ratio should I go to? I drive 72-75mph 90% of the time.

 

[SnoKing]

3:54. Snoking

 

[59Turbo]

I swapped 3. 54s into mine last year and now at 70 it's at 1800-1900rpm instead of 2100. Give or take 50 rpm. Kind of pricey though, spent roughly 900 in parts. Those were rebuild kits with shims and bearings and Dana gears. I have a Dana 70 in the rear so that's a little cheaper than a Dana 80. Did the work myself. Good luck

 

[ASharp]

59 turbo

Thanks for the reply. If I have the gears what else do I need? I have nver done a gear swap before?



Any cost breakdown you have would most appreciated.

 

[ERuhl]

Fwiw my 6spd with 3. 55 gears and 315 tires spins 2k rpm @ 80 mph. A little on the tall side for towing in the Rockies, but very nice on the flat land.

 

[59Turbo]

ASharp, I don't really have a cost breakdown cuz I bought everything in a kit from Randy's ring and pinion. I think it was roughly 400-450 per axle. If you've never done a gear swap before have someone that has help you cuz it's not just a "swap". Bearing preload and gear backlash have to be set up with shims. If you already have the gear sets just call Randy's or someplace similar and get an install kit with bearings, that should be all you'd need. oh yeah, a bearing puller, hydraulic press, race installer and air tools come in handy too.

 

[ASharp]

59 turbo

Thanks! I think I am going to have a shop do the install. Any ideas on labor?

 

[jkidd]

got a quote for $250-300 labor. Estimating on the parts, I don't remember exact prices you will most likely need bearings $250, Shim kit $40, new carrier $350 and gears $350



get 3. 73 gears and forget the carrier.



or get an overdrive for $3000



cheaper to swap axles with someone or get a 3. 55 axle used form a 2002 and upgrade yourself to disc brakes.

 

[JR2]

You could just get a leveling kit and taller tires... I have been considering changing my 3. 54's to 4. 10's and running the tires you have on your truck. If I remember correctly 4. 10's with your tires = about a 3. 73. With 3. 54 and big tires my truck is a dog on the low end. Now I will admit that the smarty and Comp help but I still notice a big difference.

 

[59Turbo]

ASharp, what do you have for a rear axle? I didn't have to change my carrier but I have a D70. As far as labor I think it's about 7 hours per axle give or take.

 

[ASharp]

I do not know. The truck is 2 hours away right now getting bombed!!!



It is a 2000 2500 6sp 4x4.

 

[SnoKing]

I do not know. The truck is 2 hours away right now getting bombed!!!



It is a 2000 2500 6sp 4x4.

6 sp will be a Dana 80. Every time someone posted the word bombed, an alarm goes off at Homeland Security and they have to run out to your house and say, DRATS another Cummins/Dodge owner. SNOKING

 

[ASharp]

I hear them knocking at my door...

 

[NVR FNSH]

I have the same truck except that I run 315's - 2000 rpm = 66 mph according to GPS.



I've given some serious thought to the RPM issue and for me, given my needs that include towing a 36ft 5th wheel, a Gear Vendors O/D would be the way to go.



I can't imagine the parts/labor to swap in gears would be less than $1500 for both axles. The GV will run ~$2300 IIRC.



Brian

 

[ASharp]

I spoke to Shane who is currently performing MAJOR mods to my truck about the addition of Gearvendors. The price is 3k, so I am not sure I will go down that path.



I guess at this point the ? I would like answered is at what RPM does MPG severely diminish?

 

[NVR FNSH]

For me anything over 2000 RPM causes MPG to decrease.

Brian

 

[Short Stack]

4:10 6spd and US Gear overdrive, a perfect mach plus I have a better range of gearing when in the mountains. Love it

 

[Short Stack]

sorry that was a perfect (match)

 

[bluthndr]

I have been quoted $2000 parts and labor to do mine front and rear with the carriers, $1000, or just under, in parts...

 

[ASharp]

Thanks alot for everyone's input. I may go with the gear vendors unit as I drive alot!