TON4FUN

What I want to see is someone who has owned a 2nd Gen auto and then go to a 3rd Gen auto.

BRDIESEL

:P I had a 96 12 valve with an auto trans but would never do that agian. The 96 never gave me any problams and the <br>MPG was good at 19 mph. I just think the manual trans is the best way to go. JM2Cents. :'(

danlit

I have a 02 3.55s 4x4 auto and I can tow my 9K+ trailer at any speed without even knowing its there. It only takes a little bombing.Maybe wait a stick some power to yours!<br> Danny

PADZZ

Mine does that too when in CC, but I think the manual says don't use cruise when pulling. I have 4.10's BTW. <br>Ton4fun-since you'll be ordering that fold flat floor, why don't you send me that one...it probably won't help on your trade anyway...let me know.

ramman21921

Test drove a 2003 SO 2500 truck was a dog compared to my 2001 SO. Seemed like power was cut back for new year. My 2001 SO pulls my 35ft camper at 8,000pds like it's not even there. My buddy has a 2003 HO 6 speed and in a drag race I will smoke him every time. I will stick with my 2001. 8)

Mopar_Mudder

Draggin an auto to a 6 speed is not much of a compare, the 6 speed in no drag tranny, the auto will be quicker.

ramman21921

In response to Mopar Mudder the HO 6 speed didn&quot;t seem to have the same pulling power as my truck even when we reached speeds of 65 mph and up. The HO was behind me on the interstate and at 65 and up my truck was pulling away by at least 2 truck lengths! ;D

jet

Man, I'm sorry you guys are having these problems, sounds like something is up with some SOs. I'm glad I didn't come up with $5000 more over my HEMI for those problems. I drove off the lot with my dually SLT QC for $30500. Course I don't have to pull over 4000lbs either.<br><br>Good luck guys.

The Boss Hog

Ramman, I can sure understand where you are coming from! Back when I was into racing, I had a Chevy 283 auto with a stock 2 bbl carb and I use to smoke my buddies dual quad 409 4-speed all the time. Really use to make him mad. Kind of makes you wonder who kidding who, don't it.<br><br>The Boss Hog<br><br>

DF5152

ok whats the deal anyone have an idea y people r seeing this difference. I can uderstand if there were substantial changes to in tranny choices and gear ratio but hey all seem to be in favor of the newer truck power is up gear ratios r more favorable. so y would the older trucks appear to perform better. unless cummins and dodge r lying about the numbers<br><br>Dan

TON4FUN

I'll tell you what those Hemi's hav some getty up! I was really impressed with the way that sucker took off. I had some guy in a 2nd gen Gasser try to keep up and he got smoked. The crapy part is that they get only 12 or in town, well at least with my foot it does. ;D

Luke S

I'll throw in my 2 cents here. I had an 01 3500 qc, 4x4, SO/auto, 3.54 gears and that thing was a pig. I could not pull a 24' aluminum stock trailer(empty) on flat ground and maintain 70mph in overdrive When I went to hook on to my 8-horse trailer I had to run with OD locked out all the time and I would run 3k RPM's to do 65 mph :'( Fast forward to 2003. Order a new truck about the same specs, Except(heres the most important part) I got 4.10 gears 8) This made a hell of a difference. I could now pull light loads(10,000lbs and less) in overdrive and no downshifting 8) Unfortunetely I could still not go very fast with my heavy loads and I went back to the Duramax/Allison set-up(the best light diesel truck auto in existance IMO) and know I can pull 20-25k and go fast ;D ;D ;D If Dodge would get their head out of their backside and design a tranny like the Allison or the new Ford Torqueshift we would have the most superior truck on the road. But that is not going to happen very soon because these geniouses think the 48re is the answer. It is better, but my Dmax/Allison will still smoke it, the one on my lot at least. But if you must have a Dodge/Auto GET THE DARN 4.10 GEARS!!!!!!!!!! [undecided]

TON4FUN

So what your saying is that a RAM 3500 with the HO AUTO will not be able to pull a 24 foot race car trailer with a 5000lbs of car and gear at 75 MPH down the road with out down shifting all the time? I hear 4.10's in one ear and 3.73's in the other. I know if you tow through the mountains you need a different setup, but I live in the midwest where land is flat and I don't plan on pulling through the mountains hardly ever. I just want to know if my 3.73 gears will be able to maintain the weight I'm looking at pulling on an occasional basis (a few times a month). <br><br>I'm super confused now. ??? Is there a good configuration for getting decent towing as I described above, no hauling bulldozers around, and good around town driving without eating your gas buget up? I understand if I'm going to haul around 10,000 + lbs that I need them but I won't ever be towing more than 8000lbs.. Are the 3.73 gears good enough for this load while maintaining overdrive on the highway?

Luke S

4.10's are the way to go. Don't make me come up there to KC. Get the 4.10's cause I don't want to hear you whinin later

TON4FUN

Thats not the answer I was looking for. Check your messages I have a question for you Luke.