What happened to the 3.55 gear ratio?

[PKitchen]

I haven't gone through a complete tank of fuel on my new truck but my initial first impressions are very good. Note that I am comparing this truck to my brother's 16-valve 96 Ram. The truck is silky smooth and quiet. The operation of the 6-speed manual reminds me of a Honda manual transmission (that's a good thing). The engine has so much low-end torque that I often wish it had a lower gear ratio. I've already tried to find 7th gear when shifting. Why does Dodge no longer offer the 3. 55 gear ratio? That's the ratio I'm used to in my brother's truck and it always provided plenty of power. If I ever need higher RPM, seems that I can always shift down to 5th gear. How expensive would it be to swap the rear and front gears for 3. 55 gear ratio? What's the chances of the differential manufacturer having different ratio gears that could be swapped straight in... I suppose slim but thought I'd ask.

 

[jcarey]

I believe the rear ends in the 04. 05 are American Axle. Check their site. You might get some ideas.



http://www.americanaxle.com/technology/tech_products.html

 

[DE Jeeper]

Starting in '03 they switched to the AAM axles.



I too always try to find 7th. Sometimes I wish I had the 3. 55's, that is untill I am pulling 14k lbs down the road. The problem is the 3. 55 were not allow those who pull heavy loads hit the correct power band. In the previous generation you could only get the 3. 55 or 4. 10. I guess they thought the 3. 73 was a good compromise between the 2.

 

[Steve M]

I'd like to see a 3. 07 ratio again. Perfect for towing in direct and then have an O/D for empty cruising.



Me thinks you mean 12valve, not 16 eh?

 

[BRayls]

I liked the 3. 54 that used to be offered. that was until I pulled my trailer,then I always thought a 3. 90 would have been better. so when they came out with the 3. 73 I was happy and I really think it is a better gear for these trucks,as was stated before a very nice compromise.

 

[lmills]

I would like to have the 3. 54's also. I have actually never ran into an issue when I felt like I needed the 4. 10's. When towing the 32' trailer it is like it isn't even there when going through the gears. It feels like it isn't working the motor at all. Unfortunately, when searching for a dually, all we could find had 4. 10's.

 

[BRayls]

I find that most want bigger tires,and in that case I did not like the 3. 54 gear.

 

[DPKetchum]

A D. C. rep told me that the 3. 55 was on its way out about 5 years ago. That 3. 73 was and had ben there choice fpr a long time. 3. 55 didn't tow well enough and use the powerban correctly

 

[JKloppe]

Originally posted by Steve M

I'd like to see a 3. 07 ratio again. Perfect for towing in direct and then have an O/D for empty cruising.



Me thinks you mean 12valve, not 16 eh?

Could have been a gasser

 

[DPKetchum]

The 3. 07 gear was used in the early trucks that had no overdrive. Just a 3 speed auto. Even then TOP speed wasn't but around 75 WIDE OPEN.

 

[klenger]

I had a '78 Jeep J-10 pickup with a 360, T-18 4 speed, and Dana 44 4. 09 axles. I didn't like the 4. 09's so I put in 3. 07's. Ran real good in 4th, and nothing would stop it in the mountains in 3rd.



It would be nice if they could gear the 6 speed and axles in such a way that 6th was a nice highway speed overdrive and use 5th for towing. Problem is the gap between 5th and 6th is too big for that.



I vote for a two speed transfer case, one speed providing an effective final axle ratio around 4. 10 and the other around 3. 55. I don't need the low range anyway.