Anyone changed ring & pinion on their trucks to a lower gearing?

[WBissell]

Started this new thread as I got great responses from guys who had transmission work or swapped out entirely with great success. I wanted to hear from guys/gals that have done the ring & pinion change. How is that working for you? Do you tow much and if so, did it make a difference? Good and/or bad? Thank you.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if all you're pulling is 10k lbs, I wouldn't go to 4. 10's



do a converter and valve body and focus on making some more power

 

[rumblefish]

Even though I don't have an auto, I'll toss in my $. 02. My truck came with 3. 54's from the factory. I loved 'em. When the rear end blew apart, the only replacement axle I could find was in a drw truck with 4. 10's. (Me and a buddy bought the whole truck to part out, but thats a whole nother story. I just wanted the axle) I drove my truck with the new 4. 10 rear and hated it. 6 months later I called Randy's Ring and Pinion and ordered a new 3. 54 gear set and had it installed. I occasionaly tow up to and including 12k hauling scrap and pulling a race trailer in the summer. For as much as I tow, there is NO way I would ever go back to the 4. 10's. Let me put it to you tihs way: With the 4. 10's, I actually entertained selling the truck since I wasn't that happy with it ( I didn't exactly realize the gears as the problem though). Once I put the 3. 54's back in it, I realized how stupid of an idea that was. I have had no trouble pulling with the 3. 54's ever, and the 4. 10's sucked the fuel down alot quicker.



Don't give up your gears. Do some transmission work and a gov spring first and give that a shot.

 

[WBissell]

I wasn't thinking about going to 4. 10's. I think that's too low for all the freeway driving we do towing our rig. I was thinking something in the neighborhood of 3. 75. It wouldn't be a stock ratio for these trucks but maybe a good compromise. But I'm starting to get the picture that maybe a transmission swap or at least, transmission work is more the answer. I appreciate all your responses. What a great resource TDR is!!

 

[DValentine]

I tow a 27 wild cat. Yes I have a manual transmission but never wished I had 3. 73 or 4. 10's. I agrees with Forest. Tighten up your transmission and some engine mods and I think you will be happy.



Dave

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I went from 4:10 to 3:55. The truck came new with the 4:10. made no difference in fuel milage. 200 RPM slower @ 70 MPH made it quieter. I had already installed a Gear Vendor unit which is 500 RPM slower @ 70 MPH. @ 1500 RPM I am doing 70 MPH which is as good as it gets for a 98 12v with an auto Tran. Peak torque is at 1300 RPM so if I need to accelerate the power is there. The 24 v engines have their peak torque at a higher RPM. Don't know what it is. The auto Tran was never intended to be used with a diesel. Dodge had it so they used it. Gear Vendors sell a lot of units for our Rams which pretty well makes the automatic OK. The torque converter went out @ 35K so I got a Torque converter from Sun Coast and had an independent shop install it and I am at 104K and not a sign of a problem. Dodge auto trans just are not built to stand the torque and I have a stock engine. E-mail me if you wish. -- email address removed --