Hi all, I'm new to this forum &amp; about to be new to the Dodge truck owners group. I just about pulled the trigger over the weekend &amp; then decided to do a bit more research first. I've read many of the posts &amp; figured out most of my questions. But I do have a couple I couldn't find answers to.<br><br>I plan to get the 2500, Quad Cab, 4x4, diesel (undecided on HO / SO) &amp; automatic. (I can get the HO &amp; auto if I order now)<br><br>Here they are:<br><br>1. I'm debating 4.10 gears. With 315x70x17 tires, the 4.10 gears run about the same rpms as stock tires &amp; 3.73's. I know the pros &amp; cons regarding towing &amp; mpg. My concern is regarding driving offroad. I want to be able to crawl over rocks, not bounce. Can any of you give me your experience with 4-Low &amp; crawling speeds. Anyone have 3.73's &amp; 35&quot; tires that has tried 4-Low? What speed does it go at idle?<br><br>2. How much difference is there in HO &amp; SO mileage? I know I can't compare this in an auto yet. Is there any imperical data on manual trans &amp; HO vs. SO mileage?<br><br>3. How do the HO &amp; SO engines compare in reliability?<br><br>4. How good is the anti-spin? Is it the same as a limited slip? Better or worse? Does it require one tire to start spinning fast before engaging?<br><br>5. Anyone know of any aftermarket lockers that are available for the new trucks?<br><br>Thanks for any help you can provide,<br><br>Guy

 

Guy, welcome to the club, buddy. ;D<br><br>I'll take a stab at the off-road gearing question (see my specs below).<br><br>I'll tell ya, I don't know what speed the truck goes in 4Low - but it's dang slow. 1st gear is a real creeper. Heck, even in 4High, 1st gear is still impressively low.<br><br>The torque on these new engines down low is so amazing. I can't imagine getting the 4.10s unless you're going to tow upwards of 10,000 lbs. My previous HD Cummins Rams noticed the switch to 35's - this one does not. Seriously, I could use a 7th gear on the interstate, even with 35's - she's still got so much power headroom left in 6th.<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill

 

Hello Guy,<br>I have the SO/auto/4.10 setup that your considering and I've done a little 4 wheeling. 4 lo is low and will allow you to creep over rocky terrain easily. There's so much torque available that I have to apply more brake to hold the truck back when its in 4 lo 8). Like Utah, I didn't notice any power/acceleration drop when I changed to the 315's. I like the 4.10 gears around town (fun factor). Ride and handling are great and I run about 2100 rpm @ 70mph. Thats ok but it feels like it needs another overdrive gear . The HO and the 3.73 gear may be the best option [undecided]. The only things that I think I would change on my truck if I were ordering today would be the HO/auto (just because I'm power hungry and its available now) and I would get the adjustable pedals. I find that my leg gets fatigued because the pedals are a little high and I'm holding my foot in an unrelaxed way. Good Luck!!

 

I'd go for the 6 speed and the HO. First gear is a real 'granny' gear with the 4.10s. Not that I know what I'm talking about, but that was my impression when I test drove that set up. There's heaps of torque in that gear and dropping it into 4-low is only going to make rock crawling better. I'm biased because I love manual transmissions. I'd agree that you are going to have to keep a foot on the brake, no matter manual or automatic when going slow over rocks. There's just so much mass to control and a lot of torque pushing it around.<br><br>I think Dodge is playing a name game with us. The thing that I always knew as cruise control they call a speed control now. Limited slip is what I'm seeing on some of the build your own sites, so it's probably just a new word for anti-spin. Whatever it is, I'm getting it on mine. I don't believe a tire must start spinning (total loss of traction) before it engages. I think it will kick in with a difference in traction, but I don't know how different. <br><br>I also vote for the adjustable pedals. Think hill climbing and being able to move the pedals closer to your feet, without having a steering wheel in your stomach. <br><br>Have you thought about wheelbase? You have two options with the setup you described depending on bed length.<br><br>Are you going to lift it? How much? Just wondering.<br><br>Jean

 

With the help of Mopar Mudder's posted specs (thank you again!) I've done a little figuring. (ok, some web page did the figuring) With these specs here are some comparables:<br><br>1400rpm, 35&quot; tires, 4.10 rear end<br>Auto - 5.34 miles per hour<br>6 speed - 2.32 miles per hour<br>(3.73 rear end about .5 miles per hour faster)<br><br>Bottom line - if I understand the gear info correctly, the auto runs twice as fast in low gear as the 6 speed. Not goodness for rock crawling. The 3.73 &amp; 4.10 are not far apart regarding speed in low gear...<br><br>The good news is the auto runs lower rpms on the top end by a little bit.<br><br>Hopefully that helps if anyone else had the same question as me. I'm still hoping someone has some good info on the anti-slip.<br><br>Hey, Utah - thanks for the help - I'm just across the point of the mountain, south.<br><br>Thanks all,<br><br>Guy

 

I'll pipe in on this one too. I have stock on-of road BFGs on my 6spd HO w/3.73s and the 1st gear lo is slower than my Jeep wrangler with 4.30s and a low range 4-1 kit in the t-case running 35's.
as was said above, I wouldn't go with the 4.10s unless you are going to be pulling 10,000 on a regular basis ;D


MDG you forgot to factor in the torque converter for the auto, that would make it darn near the same as the 6 spd