First off, I love this forum! I have already learned a tremendous amount and really appreciate the insight I have gleaned from the members here. This will not be my last post by any means!

I currently have an 02 2500, CTD that I really love, but I recently picked up a massive toybox 5th wheel that goes right at 15,000. The slush box and 3.55's are simply not up to the challenge of dragging this monster.

I want a dually with a 4.10, 6 spd. BAD, as I actually brought one home that I THOUGHT had the 4.10. When I found that it did not, I took it back, hoping a dealer trade would be out there to fulfill my needs. This has proven to not be the case as the dealer I am working with has searched high and low and has not found one out there with a 4.10. So it looks like I am faced with the prospect of ordering one if I want the 4.10.



The 14,000 + trailer easily puts me over the GCWR for the 3.73 rear end in the 4x4, which is what I am after. The 4.10 has the GCWR of 23000 and with the trailer, I will come in right under this number.


I understand that if I exceed the GCVWR, I will not be illegal, just subject to warranty invalidation should it be determined that I exceeded the value.

There are simply not any 4.10's on the lot that I can find and all of the horror stories about ordering from DC have me re-evaluating the 3.73. Of course the dealers say it will pull it fine and they will back me, but with my luck, I would break down in timbuktu and the dealer would not honor the warranty from the weight I am pulling.

I am also torn as the truck will be a daily driver and only pulling on the wekends. Fuel economy is also a concern. If it were not for the combined weight concern, I would have a 3.73 in a heartbeat!!

Therefore, I am hoping for a little assistance from the crew here to help me decide the best course of action! Order a 4.10 or bite the bullet and go with the 3.73??

 

I doubt that fuel economy will be significantly different. I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions, but if it were me, I would absolutely keep the 3.73's with a 6-speed.

 

i second that in my opion lower rpms better

 

Take the 3.73 - being a daily driver you will get just a bit better mileage, and there are certainly guys out here who tow a LOT more than that with 3.73's, they can handle it. Do you really want to wait 10 weeks? But then again, the wait might be worth the peace of mind - something to think about. Also do you tow over any really big passes? If not go with 3.73.

I've been waiting for my 4.10's since 2-13 and am really tired of it (still have 3-4 more to go)

 

When I first started looking at these trucks I wanted the 4.10 but eventually changed my mind because of ALL the torque in the CTD plus the low RPM range of the engine. Now that I have the truck, I really like the 3.73s (I haven't driven a 4.10 truck to make a fair comparison though).

When I drive without the trailer connected, it has TONS of gitty-up. 4.10s in this situation (i.e. daily driver) would be a poor choice.

 

Since you are wanting the 6spd you should be fine with the 3.73. On the other hand, I would choose the 4.10 if going with the automatic.
The max I have pulled so far is about 10k lbs and the truck had no problems, pulled it like it wasn't even there. Heck, I could still launch the truck in 2nd gear.

MikeyB

 

My last truck was a 2003 auto with 4:10, my present truck is a 04.5 6 speed with 3:73 I hooked up and towed my fiver to the scales yesterday. I was very pleased with the way it handled my 15,500# fiver. I know I am over gross for the trailer, but I figured if I was pulling up a steep grade I could just down shift if I needed to. I am leaving this morning for a 250 mile trip to KY will know more when I return. I did have a Jake Brake installed to help in breaking. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

the more i have listened and studied these things i am leaning towards thinking the best all around setup is the 373"s with an auto with a triple lock torque converter

 

Well, guess I have to be the odd ball. I love my 4.10. I get the same mileage as I am hearing the 3.73 guys post. I may be getting better mileage towing. I am also towing close to 16,000#. And I am a six banger. The 4.10 puts me right in the sweet spot while towing at around 55 to 65.

I think you need to ask yourself how many miles will you tow per week compared to running solo? I they are anywhere near equal I would vote for the 4.10. You must remember the 2003 up has 17" wheels which changes the dynamics a little versus 2nd gens. I am quite pleased with the 4.10 both solo and hooked up and I do quite a bit of highway running solo. Averaging around 20 - - not bad with an 8000# truck that runs like these babies do.

 

This is all great input guys. I really appreciate it. Keep it coming!

 

I can see me hauling it into the mountains on trips for sure. I definitely do not want to wait 10 weeks, but I would kind of like to sell the truck I have outright to throw a little more towards the new one--so I guess I could if I had to!

 

Not sure where that came from, but there are lots of dd's with 4.10's. One is in my driveway. She's an excellent dd.

My thoughts on 4.10 gears are: Pulling real heavy (like Guidstir is) or if you pull lighter but have a desire to install some 315's, I think 4.10's are preferred.

The Auto's have a higher OD than sticks, so that may lean in favor of the 4.10's when pulling heavy.

With my stick, I like to use all the gears; and w/4.10's you can do that. Otherwise you may end up pulling that 5er in 5th often.

Mileage isn't that big of a difference between the gears.

Drag racing? I'd get an auto with 3.73's.

In any event, get the limited slip.

 

I agree with everything you said. I am curious about the drag racing comment...I would have thought that the lower gears would let you launch a little faster. When I had the stock tires on my truck I could launch with tires spinning at will. It's a little harder with the 315's but still possible. I don't do it often, just when I need to show my friends that "This ain't your Daddy's diesel".

My toybox isn't that heavy, even fully loaded it'll only run about 8000#, but I plan to run some pretty steep grades, so I went with the 4.10's to make my life a little easier.

 

I am in the same quandry, trying to decide on 4.10 or 3.73 in my new truck. I tow about 10K semi-frequently, but most of the time I will be unloaded. I do plan to install 315's and I'm going with the 48RE. I'm leaning toward the 3.73's even with the bigger tires figuring the low RPM's will save fuel on the long flat stretches, and it's not that big of a deal towing in 3rd locked on the hills if I have to. Plus, once I get the aftermarket VB and TC and TST box, I don't think I'll have a problem towing 10K up a 6% grade in OD locked. I know the 4.10's would tow better, but it doesn't seem worth the mileage hit unless you tow more than you run empty. Does anyone see a problem with this strategy?

 

Jeepdude,

I'm in exactly AND I MEAN EXACTLY the same boat. I, too, will be infrequently hauling about 10klbs up a 6% grade (twice a year fishing trip to the Eastern Sierras). I chose the 3.73 for the reasons you mention. There are multiple threads on this subject and the overwhelming majority of the responses I read advised getting the 4.10 only if you haul heavy and haul frequently. The 600 will more than make up for any loss in power by going to 315s. So what if you have to shift down to 3rd occasionally on a climb. Also, my understanding is that the 3.73 is more comfortable at cruising speed than the 4.10 as far as RPM goes - but that may be more with the 6-speed.

Assuming the fan comes on and the TC locks up, it makes sense the trans may benefit from the higher RPMs by dropping a gear as more air should be flowing thru the coolers. I could be wrong about this, but it makes sense to me. I'm sure the experts will chime in if this is wrong.

Neil