I have a 96 Dodge ton flatbed. 5 speed tranny, granny and od, with 4:10 gears at the rear. I still want a fairly low gear for the hay field but I desperatly want better fuel milage on the Interstate. Question is should I change the chunk to a higher speeded ratio or try a 6 speed tranny??? Anybody else had this decision to make?? Advice needed.

 

I think gear vendors has something that might help you.<br><br>I think it is www.gearvendors.com<br><br>Mike

 

How about larger tires

 

I agree with Marine. The 6th gear added on the NV5600 ways add between 3rd and 4th if I am not mistaken. So the 6 shooter would not be of much help. -Anthony

 

There's always the gear swap from an auto equipped rig with 3.54's. Lots of work, but surely will drop rpm's.

 

[quote author=nevrenufhp link=board=16;threadid=12272;start=0#116200 date=1047697590]<br>There's always the gear swap from an auto equipped rig with 3.54's. Lots of work, but surely will drop rpm's.<br>[/quote]<br><br>That would be spendy to swap gears in a 4X4<br><br>I still think putting taller tires on would be less costly for a 4X4

 

Next time you do tires, get some taller ones. <br><br>Here's some of my logic: I'm not sure how much an overdrive unit costs, but will guess to be a couple thousand $$. Even IF (this is huge IF) you gain a couple of MPG with it, you will have to drive it at least a hundred thousand miles just for the fuel savings to pay for the overdrive unit. No profit yet (or beer money), until you pay it off. <br><br>I'm not sure about putting in a 6 shooter, but suspect the story is much the same. Swapping gears too - especially two gearsets.<br><br>Some questions. You never mentioned your mileage. What are you getting on the highway? What do think you should get? How many miles on the engine, what is the state of tune? What are your driving habits? example - 80 mph cruise? (that kills mileage in my truck).<br><br>With the cost of fuel skyrocketing, having an engine that isn't running up to snuff is a costly proposition. When your tires are worn out and you need to replace them, taller tires are &quot;free&quot;. This may sound like blasephemy, but it may be time to break out that little ricer for highway running. <br><br>It also means my fuel hungry boat will be spending more time swinging on the anchor this summer. Beer money.

 

Sorry I did not specify guys, its not a 4x4 truck just a 2wd, thanks for the suggestions........curious to want a rear chunk would cost????????<br>

 

Last I heard was that due to the ABS reluctor on the gears it is cheaper to buy a complete used rearend than it is to buy the gear set and have to have it set up properly. If I remember correctly the gear set was $800 and a used posi rear was in the $5-600 range.<br><br>Don't quote me on the prices because it was a Ferd-natic mechanic that told me he was doing this for a local company's truck so he may have inflated the price somewhat.<br><br>With the granny 1st and reverse a 3.54 gear will still give you the oomph you need to yank stuff around and better OTR mileage.