Swapping Gear Ratios

[SHOOT1SAM]

I have a 2000 2500 4X4 Automatic with 3. 54 gears. I have a friend with a 97 3500 4X4 5-speed with 4. 10's. We're thinking of swapping. It is my understanding that the 24 valve Automatic performs better with the 4. 10 gear ratio (didn't know this when i got it). My mileage is not what I think it should be-about 16. 5 mpg-and I have no idea whether the 4. 10's would help or hinder in that regard. I have a little over 23K miles on mine; I THINK he has about 85-95K on his.



I will appreciate any and all comments and/or suggestions on swapping with him. Will it help, will it hurt, will it be indifferent? Is there anything to watch out for? Am I hurting myself with the mileage difference? Should I not consider this until after the 100K warranty? Again, any and all comments & suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Sorry, but it won't work in your case because you have an auto. The automatic 2500's come with a Dana 70 rear, the manual 2500's and all 3500's come with a Dana 80H rear.

 

[Pete Peterson]

Steve hit the nail on the head, wrong diffs. in the two trucks. Your milage could be caused by a number of things, driving habits for one, terrain for another. Still 16. 5 average ain't that bad either. The 4:10's will help you pull better but the 3:54's you have now are better for fuel milage... ... ... ... ... ... . Pete

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Steve & Pete: Thanks for the replies. I guess my first question should have been "Will they swap?" I thought the 3. 54's were better for overall mileage and after giving it some thought, I now recall Jim Anderson was referring to the 4. 10's being better for towing with the automatics. Thanks again.