3.73 or 4.10's, is there really a big difference in mpg?
 

I am currently looking at buying a 05 3500 6spd 4x4 with 4.10's. Ive never had either ratio (always had 3.54's). This purchase is going to be used to tow my 28' camper (roughly 9K lbs empty). I would say thats what its going to used for 95% of the time. My wife and I want to start growing our family so my 92 club cab will no longer do. The quad cab is so nice. Well back to my question. I was originally looking for 3.73's but just so happened to come across this 05 that is so clean,nice, and down right perfect for what I am looking for. But it has 4.10's. I know I want to use this to tow my camper on some longer trips like maybe up into Canada or down into Tennessee or South Carolina. Since fuel economy is a top priority to me on these longer trips should I keep looking until I find a nice clean truck with 3.73's? Or is the difference in fuel mileage not so noticable between the two ratio's. Say maybe one to two mpg difference? Sorry as I know this has probably been asked several times but after using the seach and not having any luck I thought I would reask. Thank you

Is it an early 05 or the later 05. That will say which transmission it has, NV5600 or G56.

I had a 97 5spd 3.54 3/4t 292hp 812 tq for 9 yrs and loved it. Then I went to this 2000lb heavier 5er and those hi gears sucked so I found this 03 QC 6 spd 4.10. I had them both for ~1yr and traded off towing and commuting for a long time. They both averaged 21.0 empty and they were the same towing, 12-12.5 and they both topped the mtns. at the same speeds. But the 4.10/6spd did everything else soooo much easier. I had to run the 97 to redline before upshifting, to make it up steep ramps and the 03 does it much easier at only 2500 rpm. I didn't like the rolling feeling from the srw with this 9600 gw 5er even tho it was well within the weight limits. I was still on the fence i.a.w. srw vs. drw when I found the 03 but everything else was exactly what I wanted, like I ordered it myself, so I got it and I'm not a bit sorry. The stability is like night and day, just like the 6 spd/4.10 was. I don't tow very much, only 2-3 times/yr. and I still wouldn't part with the duals. For mostly towing, no doubt, I'd have the duals. I recently added a TST box and got 13.7 ave., towing, on a long road trip to Co. Much happy with that! Reverse is rt/up if it's a nv5600 and lt/dn if it's a g56. My 03 was 38 months old with 25k miles and I pd. 28500. The dealer told me that 4.10s are VERY rare. They are usually special ordered for heavy usage so I'm surprised you found one without signs of heavy use. That's a bonus! Craig

Spooler it has a nv5600 tranny.

Craig I totally agree. This truck was setup to tow and it never did. This is the first 3500 I have found without a gooseneck or 5th in it at some point. This thing is also so clean underneath that I cant believe it. Anyone who has been in the rust belt even 5 or 6yr old rigs have signs of surface rust starting if its driven in the winter time. This thing looks as if it just came off the dealer lot. The nv5600 feels tight and shifts nicely through all the gears. My only concern is the 4.10's. I am torn. I want a serious tow rig as I also have a 24k Eager Beaver that weighs 8700lbs empty. Let alone when I put on my dads 580ck backhoe. Thats a rarity though. Although with my 92 W350 I hauled the EB with a 17k Ford boom truck on it. This thing will 95% (maybe more) be towing only. I wont take it to work as I have other vehicles for that. Since its really only a tow rig should I not care so much about the fuel mileage? Thanks guys for your helpful info. I am trying to get as much helpful input as I can as I told the guy I would let him know tomorrow. ;)
The truck is so nice, its like I ordered it. It currently sits with 66K on it. Its a SLT and seems the only thing it doesnt have is leather. Which I dont want anyways. Its even the only color I want FLAME RED:)

You won't go wrong with the 4.10. There is not much differance in mileage between the two but the 4.10 will handle the load so much easier.

Sounds like you have found a nice truck.

I had 3:73's and changed to 4:10's. I tow alot. 3:73's would handle your tow with no problems. 4:10's with that NV5600 will really handle it great. My Son's Wife's Mom and Dad have an 05 with the NV5600 and 4:10s. They pull a 37ft Carriage Fifth Wheel at 17,000 lbs and have never had any problems with the tow. They now have over 100,000 miles on the truck and 90% is towing miles. They get up to 18-19 mpg without the trailer running at 65 or less.

My truck with 3:73's got 20.3 (48RE) on the highway at 68mph. With the 4:10's it gets 19 mpg. There is only 200 rpm's difference at 70 mph. 2100 with the 4:10's. I run at 66 to 68 (stay under 2000 rpm's) and get 18-19. Towing my rig 14,300 or so, combined 23,500lbs, I get 11.7 at 62 mph.

Dave

Guys thank you so much for the info. I called this afternoon and put a deposite on the truck:). I am picking it up as soon as the salt crap is all off the roads:)
Here is what it looks like:)
Attachment 55216
Attachment 55217

I emailed the vin to Mopar. Here is the build sheet:
*M9 Cloth 40/20/40 Prem Bench Seat -DV Dark Slate Gray ADA Light Group AHCP Trailer Tow Group AM3 Quad Cab Big Horn Value Group APAS Monotone Paint A50P 5.9L TD HO Eng(ETH)/6Spd M/T NV5600 BAZS 136 Amp Alternator BCQP 750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BRTS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat CGDS Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags** CKES Front Seat Area Carpet CLAS Front Floor Mats CSPS Passenger Assist Handle CSXP Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat CUES Rear Underseat Compartment Storage CUSS Overhead Console w/Trip Computer CVHP Front Center Seat Cushion Storage CVN Folding Flat Load Floor Storage DBBC All Manual Transmissions DEE 6-Speed HD Manual Transmission DH1S Man Shift-on-the-Fly Transfer Case DJXS 5,200# Front Axle w/Hub Extensions DMF 4.10 Rear Axle Ratio DRXS 11.50, Dual Wheels Rear Axle DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle ETH 5.9L I6 HO Cummins TD Engine GACS Tinted Glass Windows GFDP Rear Sliding Window GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors GNKP Rear View Auto Dim Mirror GNMS Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror GPG Power Black Trailer Tow Mirrors GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors GXMS Remote Keyless Entry HAAS Air Conditioning HGBS Dash Liner Insulation HGFS Floor Tunnel Insulation JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers JJAS Cigar Lighter JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch JRDP Power Driver Seat JTHP Power 6-Way Driver Seat K1XP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR K17P Do Not Use LBCS Glove Box Lamp LBDP Ash Tray Lamp LCLP Front Dome w/On/Off Switch Lamp LDAP Underhood Lamp LMAS Halogen Headlamps LNCS Clearance Lamps LNDS Box & Rear Fender Clearance Lamps LNJP Fog Lamps LPES Cargo Lamp MBFS Bright Rear Bumper MCMS Body Color Upper Fascia MCTS Bright Front Bumper MDAS Front License Plate Bracket MFDS Bright Grille MGAS Ram's Head Badge MHAS Black Windshield Moldings MTDS SLT Badge MUSS 4X4 Badge MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches MXBS Front Air Dam NAA Federal Emissions NFVS 35 Gallon Fuel Tank NHK Engine Block Heater NHMS Speed Control NHNP Electronically Controlled Throttle NMCS Heavy Duty Engine Cooling NZCP Current Generation Eng Controller PR4A Flame Red Clear Coat QR4S Flame Red Clear Coat RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles RBQ AM/FM CD 6-Disc Radio RCKP Infinity Speakers RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna SBES Power Steering SCVP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar SUAS Tilt Steering Column TBBS Full Size Spare Tire TBMS Tire Carrier Winch TPYS LT235/80R17E BSW All Season Tires TZEP General Brand Tires WD4S 17X6.0 Steel Wheels WF1S 17" Steel Spare Wheel WLAS Dual Rear Wheels WLYC All Steel Wheels WMGP Bright Wheel Skins WMJP Center Hub XA8S Non Adjustable Pedals XBSS Pickup Box XEAP Tow Hooks XFHP Class IV Receiver Hitch XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness XFUS Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring XJL Front Hood Protection Shield XZAP Speed Control Type YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

I like it!


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