A little about my truck, 98.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, auto, club cab, short bed, 3.55, 265/75R16

I'm a traveling field machinist and I pull a 28' 5th wheel with a dry weight of 6000lbs. It pulls well however I just wish the gear ratio was a little better. There is a lack of pulling ability although I do have the edge comp. I get about 17-18mpg all the time. I'm turning 2100 rpm @ 75mph which I normally don't pull a trailer at that speed so it hurts in the 60-65mph range. Also I am about to purchase another trailer, a 28' toy hauler travel trailer.

My question is, should I go for the 4.10 or would 3.73 be sufficient? Is 4.10 too much? Is 3.73 too little of a difference to mess with?

Also is there any good resources on learning how to change them? I'm not sure how precise a gear change is although I am capable of the job at my shop, just have never done it before and dont have any information on what to do and not to do.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you

 

Funny, I'm running 4:10s and wonder what 3:73s are like. I'm turning 2K on the clock at 63mph. Since my speedo registers about 2mph low, I'm probably really doing about 65. Most I pull is about 7-8K in a horse trailer. With that, I never have a complaint about acceleration at any speed.

 

i would say the 4.10 may be more then you want. the 3.73 would give you an added ease for towing-without sacraficing mpg much

 

Wow, I've got 4.10's and would love to switch to 3.55. Any chance you're in Phoenix?

 

sorry i'm not in phoenix but maybe we could figure something out, do you have 4x4?

does anyone have any information about swapping gears? Like I said I'm a machinist/welder but I dont have any tolerances or information/procedures to look at so having someone that is experienced do it.. well everybody has to do their first diff so there has to be some information they go by.

Thanks

 

If you are in the Seattle area, I know someone whos looking for 3.54s.

 

The 4.10's work well for heavy towing. I am turning 2000 at 60, which is good for torque & HP. At 55, optimal for mileage, I am turning abot 1750, gettig 13mpg, with 14,000 lbs.
I would say the lower gears are better for heavy hauling, but I think you are probably OK, with what you have, may need to down shift more often. With 4.10' you ,mostly do not have to shift down. You lose some mpg with the lower gears, proably 1-2 mpg.