Higher gearing for open road?

[RRussell]

I have a 2005 stock dodge diesel with the G56 transmission and 3. 73 gears. At approximately 65 MPH The engine turning approx. 2100 RPMS and I ready for another gear. Does any one have or found a 2-speed rear end or a overdrive that will work to obtain a higher highway gear?. I have heard rumors that dodge makes a 2-speed differential for the military..... I think that is a bad rumor as no one in my social circles can find it.



I tow a 5th wheel trailer and occassionally I have to back up hills loaded and I wish the reverse gear ratio for the G56 was lower. I have 4-wheel drive but I don't like using it on the pavement because I can feel the drive train wrap up. Are there locking hubs for the front axle available?



Any suggestions and experience is appreciated. This old man is very happy with his ride. My stock 2005 is a very good and reliable "workhorse".



Thanks for your replies.



R. Russell

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Other than a US Gear or Gearvendors OD unit I don't know of any other means to come up with higher gearing.



For backing up a trailer you could benefit from a 2-low kit which allows you to shift into low range without going into 4-wheel drive. Piers Diesel sells the kit for 90 bucks, PN PDR5718056



Welcome to TDR!



Vaughn

 

[NStates]

Higher Gearing

I own a 2005 2 wd and find reverse much too fast for backing a heavy fifth wheel. I also wish they would lower the reverse ratio.



Norm



My Truck – 2005 RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x2 Laramie Sport Bright White 6-Speed HO – Limited Slip - Edge Juice Attitude –PacBrake – 65 gal. Toolbox/fuel tank – Starboards – Recon Smoke Cab Lighting - Pulrite Super 5th – Kenwood TM 261 –Towing A Teton Fifth Wheel

 

[zstroken]

I dont think the 2Low kit works on anything 2002 or later. They eliminated the CAD system on the front axle.

 

[WOT]

I wonder what it would take to alter the gearing in the transmission - say cut reverse in 1/2 and make the OD something like . 69?

 

[DPKetchum]

Chezz I thought the G56 had a lower gear then the NV5600. Mine with a large trailer is HARD to back SLOW without slipping the clutch. Wish mine had a lower first and reverse. Thought the G56 addressed that issue.

 

[WOT]

1st is lower for sure on the G56, but not sure about reverse. On my 2000 (NV5600 & 4. 10 gears) I still used 2low quite a bit for jockeying the camper - no clutch slipping. I miss the CAD...

 

[DPKetchum]

If I remember the gear charts when the G56 first appreared 1st and REVERSE was lower for this very reason. I have used 4 lo to move heavy like up to a loading dock etc. but thats even rough on the system. Wish reverse would creep.

 

[djbobo]

You said you want both a higher and lower than stock gearing.

You need a GV for double overdrive for highway & a US gear for underdrive for reverse. One bolts on the tail end of the x-fer case and the other installs between the engine and transmission.

Both pricey.

Theres been talk of a manual hub conversion for the 3rd gens allowing you to use 4wd low on dry pavement for spotting trailers.

Let us know if you can find a bolt in 2 speed rear-end then we can add it to the 3 before mentioned mods.

This will allow me to have 52 gear combo's.



Underdrive

1st

1 over

2nd

2 over

3rd

3 over

4

4 over

5

5 over

6th

double over

X 2 w/xfer case

X 2 w/2 speed rear

= 52! - Not counting any reverse gears.



Sounds fun



dj

 

[Hercules130]

http://www.emsoffroad.com/index1.htm