New truck Built Incorrect Opinions Needed

[RustyJC]

Ok..... Now I am TOTALLY confused. I just bought a 2012 that has the same sticker, "Max tow package" 4:10's but below says 3;73. My rpms are 2k @ 73ish MPH ... .

See post #23. With 4. 10s, 75 MPH = 2015 calculated RPM. Sounds like that's what you have. 3. 73s would give 1833 calculated RPM @ 75 MPH.

Rusty

 

[SECochran]

My truck with 3. 73 : 70 MPH = 1760 RPM , 80 MPH = 2000 RPM

 

[RonD]

As for the Max Tow and the gear. Chrysler had, it appears, a change in the way the Max Tow Package is offered. Before it was ONLY available with the 4. 10. It was this way when we ordered the truck. NOW if you order the Max Tow Package, the dealer gets a pop up that says the 4. 10 is no longer standard with the Max Tow. So sometime between when truck was ordered and me receiving it, the changed it. According to the dealer it sounds as Chrsyler will send out 2 new axle assemblies which MUST be done at the selling dealer.



Of course now I am looking at possibly a job change and will have a 70 mile per day commute 35 each way all freeway, which the 3. 73 would be far better on. Some say things happen for a reason??? Yesterday i talked to a fellow race dad who has the 3. 73 in 2011 and runs the snocross circuit like we do. He pulls 8000+ where I pull 11,000. He said he would never go to the 4. 10 and he runs the same speeds we do, so now really jacked up Way over-tinking tis UGH... .

Your first post asked for others opinions based on having 410 gears, you received that advise, first 373, and 410 will get the same mpg, the 410 has a higher tow rating as per Ram, so it's your truck, ask 10 people there opinions, you will get 10 answers, best of luck on your decision, I tow 23000 pounds gross combined, and would never go to a 373 axle, but that is me.

 

[Bob V]

When I was at the dealer to get my remote start enabled I saw a new truck with the sticker the same as yours 4. 10 and 3. 73. It almost looks like the 3. 73 ratio will be the only one offered with the auto, like the first G56s where 3. 73 only.

As far as gear ratios go i wish I had the 4. 10 just so the TC would lock up at lower MPH. The one problem I had towing my 40' toy hauler, 24,900 GCW, was a long uphill pull with lots of turns that kept my speed down so the TC never got to lockup. It's the only time my transmission got above 200

 

[mpaulson]

I would make darn sure that the ECM software is in fact the "Max Tow" version so that you get the extra torque that you are supposed to get with the max tow version. This involves an extra transmission cooler and a different converter also.

 

[lawdog]

I would make darn sure that the ECM software is in fact the "Max Tow" version so that you get the extra torque that you are supposed to get with the max tow version. This involves an extra transmission cooler and a different converter also.

I "Believe" it would have that because the STAR Report the dealer looked up DOES have MAX TOW listed on it and has 3. 73 listed as axles.

 

[lawdog]

VERY INTERESTING... ..... Just went to ramtrucks.com and went to Build and Price and started to "build" my truck again online. When you click on the MAX TOW option details it shows Dual transmission cooler only, no longer lists the 4. 10 axle. Price still $695 retail. When you select the MAX TOW it pops up requires the 6spd auto with 3. 42 axle gears. However when go to powertrain options, you can select 3. 42, 3. 73 OR 4. 10... ... 4. 10 is a $50. 00 retail option. the other 2 choices are no cost.

 

[CUMMINZ]

My truck with 3. 73 : 70 MPH = 1760 RPM , 80 MPH = 2000 RPM

My 07. 5 with 4. 10s turns 2000 at 70mph but I am running 245x19. 5s.

 

[CUMMINZ]

There must be a reason why Ram specified the 4. 10 gears with MaxTow power upgrade.

HB, You are exactly correct. There is a misconseption among some folks that the only real difference between 4. 10s & 3. 73s in pulling is that the 3. 73 owner can simply downshift one gear and still pull as good as a 4. 10 and that is not correct. For example: If two trucks are side by side on a hard pull the 4. 10 gear will rev quicker than a 3. 73 even though the 3. 73 downshifts. The 4. 10 will get into a higher gear quicker. I would never consider a 3. 73 in a MaxTow loaded at the max. Especially 30k.

 

[Bob V]

I "Believe" it would have that because the STAR Report the dealer looked up DOES have MAX TOW listed on it and has 3. 73 listed as axles.

All Diesel rams with the automatic have the HO motor.

 

[Bob V]

I "Believe" it would have that because the STAR Report the dealer looked up DOES have MAX TOW listed on it and has 3. 73 listed as axles.

All Diesel rams with the automatic have the HO motor.

 

[RVTRKN]

Actually the critical difference is more in the heat generated on the gear set due to the added gear friction, being that its harder on the pinion to push the ring gear. Ya, there are RPM differences that help in the power band, but when towing 20% of the trucks life, 3:73's are better than always running higher RPM's losing MPG empty. If I were to order a new truck and planed over 50% towing it would have the 4:10's. But an opinion has been asked for and being that mine has the 3:73 and I now use it for mostly towing, it runs just fine. I compensate the difference in choosing a lower gear when pulling grades. Its the economy's fault why the truck doesn't run as planed, 50% towing and city driving. I like the 4:10 when used as a towing truck, but if you have the 3:73 its not going to limit you that much. Ram has had GCVWR's for years under what the CTD is capable of, just ask the members who run GCVW at 30K+ with 2nd gen trucks. Opinions seem to get a little heated for some reason on this subject and stubborn as well.

 

[lawdog]

UPDATE: Chrysler was great with this mistake on the build. They offered a few options: Option 1 was they would swap out the axles to the 4. 10. Option 2 was build a new truck. I choose Option 3, which was I keep the truck as is and I got a parts credit for some accessories from Mopar I wanted and a 5 year / 100,000 mile Maxi Care warranty. I love my truck and two thumbs up to Chrysler for accepting responsibility for the mistake in the build and making it right with a mutually agreed outcome.

 

[EGroeneveld]

Sounds like a win for you!



I don't think you'll be unhappy with the 3. 73 gears. The 3. 54(?) would have been horrrible but the 4. 10 are really just somewhat better for real heavy towing at the very limits but when you run empty and with the higher speed limits in a lot of state my next truck might very well be a 3. 73 geared truck.

 

[lawdog]

I was 19,200 combined with the 2006 Mega Dually this one replaced so I tink I will be ok.

 

[EMAC2]

Congratulations on a great outcome!

 

[Dieselram07]

I just bought a 2012 3500 the equipment listing shows the max tow package and the 3.73's