2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Best gears for towing

[sadlbum]

Got a line on some 3:55 gears that should work in my truck. Not overly smitten with the 4:10's that are in it. I loved the 3:73's that were in my third gen. Are 3:55's to tall for towing a 3 horse LQ trailer? Would love to roll 65-70 under 2000 rpm's. Thanks, RC.

 

[NIsaacs]

The factory rating on your truck is 21,500 with the 4. 10's and 20,000 with 3. 55's so you should be fine. Thats what I have in mine but most of my driving is empty. When I do haul heavy I use 5th a lot. 3. 73's are a good ratio and will fit your truck if you want.



Nick

 

[RustyJC]

3. 73's are a good ratio and will fit your truck if you want.

AFAIK, the Dana 80 was only offered with the 3. 55 and 4. 10 axle ratios - those were my choices with my 2002 3500 ETH/DEE when I ordered it (I went with the 4. 10s). The 3. 73 is an AAM axle ratio that was first offered in the 3rd generation trucks.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

AFAIK, the Dana 80 was only offered with the 3. 55 and 4. 10 axle ratios - those were my choices with my 2002 3500 ETH/DEE when I ordered it (I went with the 4. 10s). The 3. 73 is an AAM axle ratio that was first offered in the 3rd generation trucks.



Rusty

IIRC, the Dana 80 was available with a 3. 73 ratio in a Ford and was a Ford exclusive between Ford and Dana/Spicer. In order for Dodge to have a 3. 73 ratio Dana 80 available as an option, a license fee had to be paid to Ford which obviously didn't happen.



I too opted for the 4. 10 ratio with my previously owned 2000 3500 CTD NV5600 6-speed dually for towing our previously owned heavy Hitchhiker 5th wheel.



Bill

 

[NIsaacs]

AFAIK, the Dana 80 was only offered with the 3. 55 and 4. 10 axle ratios - those were my choices with my 2002 3500 ETH/DEE when I ordered it (I went with the 4. 10s). The 3. 73 is an AAM axle ratio that was first offered in the 3rd generation trucks.



Rusty

Yes, the Dodge factory ratios were only offered in 4. 10 or 3. 55. However the D-80 is highly universal and were used in a multitude of applications, from pickups to street sweepers.



Dana 80 ratios available are: 3. 31, 3. 73, 3. 55, 4. 10, 4. 30, 4. 63 and 5. 13



The OP said he had a set of 3. 55 available, maybe they were from another Dodge and not an off the shelf choice.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Your post is titled "Best Gears for Towing. "

You already have the best gears. Changing to 3. 55 gears will reduce torque multiplication and make load starting more stressful on the clutch and transmission.

I ordered an '01 HO 6 speed with 3. 55 gears because at the time I towed nothing heavier than an 8,000 lb. Airstream. 3. 55 gears were ideal with that load. A couple years later I grew tired of the confined space in an aluminum travel trailer and bought a 14,000 lb. fifthwheel. With the much heavier fifthwheel I regretted the 3. 55 gears.

Of course, the Cummins could start the load and pull it on the highways but starting the load moving was more stressful to clutch and transmission and I often had to use fifth gear instead of sixth.

Had I been able to snap my fingers and make the differential choice again with the fifthwheel I would have chosen 4. 10 gears.

 

[RustyJC]

Yes, the Dodge factory ratios were only offered in 4. 10 or 3. 55. However the D-80 is highly universal and were used in a multitude of applications, from pickups to street sweepers.



Dana 80 ratios available are: 3. 31, 3. 73, 3. 55, 4. 10, 4. 30, 4. 63 and 5. 13



The OP said he had a set of 3. 55 available, maybe they were from another Dodge and not an off the shelf choice.



Nick

Ummmm..... yep, if you're going to look at the other OEMs and aftermarket, I'm sure there's quite a selection available.



Rusty

 

[GAmes]

I have 3. 5s and have no problem pulling heavy. The difference is '97s came with 215/85s, not the 235s I believe you have. I have thought about 19 inch wheels, but would have to change to 4:10s if I do. So, an easier gear change for you could be to go to a bigger tire.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary,

You also have the early G-56 and IIRC the G-56 has a lower ratio for first gear as well as OD.

Startability with the 3. 55 gear is one of the factors that most displeased me when I bought a heavy fifthwheel but my truck had the OEM NV-5600.

 

[JMcCoy]

Don't forget to take tires into account. I am very unhappy with my 3. 55 gears. They were ok when I had the stock 245 75 16 (29 inch) tires. Since I have 35 inch tires, the 3. 55 gears are unacceptable. I have a 4. 10 Dana 80 axle waiting to go in. I am going to give them a try before I swap my front gears. If I am not happy with the 4. 10 gears, I will go to 4. 30 gears.

 

[GAmes]

Gary,



You also have the early G-56 and IIRC the G-56 has a lower ratio for first gear as well as OD.



Startability with the 3. 55 gear is one of the factors that most displeased me when I bought a heavy fifthwheel but my truck had the OEM NV-5600.

That is true Harvey, but I had the NV4500 for 750,000 miles. 1st gear 5. 61 compared to the NV5600 5. 63 That little bit of tire height makes a big difference.

 

[JRBurton]

Hello: I have an 01 6 speed with 3:54 in the rear. I started out towing a 9000# travel trailer. In late 2007 I went to a 15000# 5th wheel. Yes in some circumstances it can be stressful on the clucth when starting out, but I still would not go to 4:10, maybe 3:73 but not 4:10, my $. 02 worth. I'll stay with my 3:54.



John

 

[JMetzger]

I have the 3:55, NV 5600 in my 02. I realize I only pull a 10,000 RV. I always start out in 1st gear as I feel it is easier on whole drive line. If I went with a larger trailer I would probably be in trouble but I don't think I will go larger.

 

[RCook]

We tow a 12K lb boat trailer all over the west with a 1998 24-valve, 5-speed manual and 3. 54 gears, standard wheels and tires. Lighter weight, but greater air resistance than a big fifth wheel. Works fine - no reason I can see to have 4. 10's with a manual transmission and standard size wheels and tires. .

 

[ewcmr2]

I'm happy with the 3. 54's. My trailer is 10-13,000lbs depending on car currently in the back (shifter karts, svelte Formula Ford or fatty BMW).
With the original nv4500/3. 54's/215-85-16's it was fine, I don't recall ever wishing I had 4. 10's.
With the current G56 (early, . 79 overdrive, first rears all the same AFAIK, Chrysler Corporation Transmission Gear Ratios ) I went to 235-85-16 tires to get cruising rpm down a little to 2000@65mph.
ONE time I thought 4. 10's would be good. On the way to a race back east we stopped in Colorado to hike a 14eer. Steep and narrow forest service road, "parking lot" that was really just a wide spot in the road, you know, places dually trucks with 36' trailers probably shouldn't go... .

 

[RHestand]

With my 98 12V dually with 4. 10s and stock tires/wheels, it was IMO, too low geared when empty and at highway speeds, which is about 80%? of the time. (Some where around 2000+RPM at 60mph. ) Even when towing either one of my trailers, (One a 31' Airstream at 9500 lbs wet or my 16' car trailer with car (6500 lbs), at 65-70 MPH I was still out of my RPM sweet-spot.
Since I needed new tires anyway, I bit the bullet I bought a kit which included 6 new 19. 5" forged alum. wheels, lug nuts, valve stems, mounted/balanced etc. with tall/thin 8R 19. 5s HD road tires that I found on Ebay.
After taking some dimensions & weights my new set-up has about 12. 2% more roll-out (= about 3. 60 gear) And each tire and wheel is 20lbs. heavier than the old stocks,=120lbs.
After about 20,000 miles on this set-up, using my GPS, I can report:
A. RPM @ 65mph = 1950RPM
B. Fuel mileage? Small if any increase. Except, in town and slow stop and go traffic like in Santa Cruz, CA? I dropped from about 14 to about 10 MPG. I think maybe the torq. converter never gets a chance to lockup?
Over all, I like everything about this set-up except the tires are not good in snow or ice so I've been talking to M Christ about siping grooves in them to improve that.
Ray

 

[sadlbum]

Great info guys. Sounds like 19. 5's are the answer in the end. Bummer. I hate making my truck look cooler. :-laf

 

[NIsaacs]

Six 19. 5 tires and wheels is an expensive way to change your axle ratio. Also with a dually you don't need the extra weight capacity. However if you just want them because... . then there is nothing wrong with that



Nick

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Dana 80 ratios available are: 3. 31, 3. 73, 3. 55, 4. 10, 4. 30, 4. 63 and 5. 13



Nick

Dude! You rock! I'm running out right now to find a D80 and a set of 3. 31s! I don't tow a lot, don't see any chance of towing over 10K, and spend a lot of time on the highway where even the geriatrics pass you if you're doing 70!



Actually, 3. 54 to 3. 31 probably isn't worth it. A GV would be nice, but it's not likely to ever fit my budget. I wish there was a solution that didn't cost $3500.

 

[NIsaacs]

Charlie, I think you have a Dana 70, 2nd. Gen. with an auto. I don't see any thing faster than a 3. 54 from Dana, maybe after market?



The 1st. Gen Dodge used a 3. 07 in their auto's with some rare 5 spd. option's. I think it was a ratio exclusive to Dodge and takes a special carrier. A serious search could probably locate one.



Nick