Is 3.42 the only axle ratio on Ram 3500 SRW?

[ILIANBG]

I was looking at 2500 and 3500, but mainly the 3500 SRW, not dually. All of them in dealer's inventory list 3.42 axle ratios.
I looked at many dealers inventory online- same story.Either transmission- the RFE or Aisin, both list only 3.42. Is this normal? Can you get 3.73 in it? Maybe only on special order?
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Ilian

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

3.42 is the only ratio available with SRW and Cummins.

 

[ILIANBG]

Thanks. How will be towing a heavier trailer with this 3.42? It's probably done to get batter mpg empty, but loaded, I dont know. Does anybody work hard their 3.42 SRW, and how does it do in passing/merging/uphill towing, or loaded in bed.
Ilian

 

[truckin-on]

I noticed this also - what the heck - why would they limit you to only the 3:42? I was able to order a 3:73 on my 2010 SRW 6-speed G56. 3:73 or 4:11 would be better gears I would think for towing.

 

[ndennis]

I believe the only way you can get anything other than 3.42 on a 3500SRW is with a Cab and Chassis model.

 

[Ozymandias]

Is there really a need for a shorter axle with this gearboxes combined?

 

[Cummins12V98]

The 3:42's and Aisin are a good combo in a 3500 SRW since the Aisin gives you lower starting gears. My Son has a 15 3500 SRW and with a heavy load it took right off and accelerated with ease. I towed a combined load of 28K with 3:42's 68RFE with a 11 Dually. It did well but you had to ease into it to get going but after rolling it towed good mostly stayed in 5th same RPM's as if it were a 4:10's in 6th.

 

[mpaulson]

Just make sure you pick one that has the Aisin in it since it has the lower first gear to help get things moving from a stand still, and you get more power overall.

 

[truckin-on]

Moving it off from the start is one thing, but having the upper gears keep it in the power range would seem useful when towing. With the OD top gears, I'd think it would be turning too slow in top gear to pull much of any hill without dropping down a gear or two. I ordered my 2010 3500 with 3.73 and a G56, and it's geared just right for pulling in 6th gear. I know the new trucks have more power, esp with the Aisin, but still, 3.42 seems too high a gear to me. What would it be turning at 70 in top gear with that rear in it?

 

[MLee]

Maybe I'm out in left field with this, But, We have been told "don't lug the engine" and it would be pretty hard to do this with a auto trans. But I guess the newer technologies have by-passed old schools ideas now. Thought I had read that you needed some RPM when it went into re-gen. Maybe an other myth on my part.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Ram told me the efficiency and power range of the 6.7 is 1200-2000 rpm (although it will make more HP over 2000, of course). They rate the SRW to tow 17,000 lb. with 3.42 gears. Towing 8K, mine likes 6th gear just fine and downshifts to pull hills as needed. If I will be going on continuous rolling hills, I lock it into fifth so it doesn't upshift-downshift-upshift a lot. It will get a bit better mpg in 6th, according to watching the EVIC display of mpg.

 

[Newsa]

I have noticed surprisingly good torque as low as 1200-1250. I was cautioned to watch my exhaust gas temps here at low rpm. But pretty sure that since I'm stock (no tuner) the exhaust gas temps don't need to be monitored.

 

[DHuffman]

This topic has been beaten to death. I tow 16,000# regularly and the truck handles it no problem. I towed the same load with my '11 with 3.73's and my '13 does a better job at highway speeds.

 

[Texaspsdx]

I was looking at 2500 and 3500, but mainly the 3500 SRW, not dually. All of them in dealer's inventory list 3.42 axle ratios.
I looked at many dealers inventory online- same story.Either transmission- the RFE or Aisin, both list only 3.42. Is this normal? Can you get 3.73 in it? Maybe only on special order?
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Ilian

My 2012 3500 SRW 4x4 has 3.73 gears in it. So the available in 2012.

 

[AH64ID]

This topic has been beaten to death. I tow 16,000# regularly and the truck handles it no problem. I towed the same load with my '11 with 3.73's and my '13 does a better job at highway speeds.

For 99% of users the 3.42's will do a great job, as you noted. The only time 3.73's and 4.10's are better is getting the load moving or lots of steep slow driving.

My use falls into the second catergory, where I could go miles in 1st and you just can't get any lower. Personally I would have the dealership install 4.10's if I bought a new truck tomorrow, but for most they will do just fine with the 3.42's.

My 2012 3500 SRW 4x4 has 3.73 gears in it. So the available in 2012.

2012 was the last year you could get anything but 3.42's in a SRW.

 

[TCDiesel]

I never owned a truck form 1992 to 2013 W/O 4:10s I even had a 1977 Ram 3500 Van with 4:10 gears, I was upset that the option was NOT available in 2013, So 3:42s it was on My 2013 3500 SRW Aisin, Yep My 2014 has 3:42s also very Happy and surprised, it performs well, Unless I traveled Speeds less then 65 MPH ,80% city/Mountain roads, I would order 3:42s again and Yes I pull 23-30K weekly in the Twin cites metro area . 2-3 Trips Per-Winter to the Rockies pulling My 4-Place snowmobile trailer. O I really like crossing MT/ND at 75MPH with My 3:42s. I would like to Add My Ecodiesel 3.0 3:92 With the only trans available ZF-8, I took 3:21s and 3:55s home for a few days each, I prefer the 3:92 with that power combo.