Hey guy's. I think I'm getting a 04 1 ton tomorrow so this is really urgent. I'm going to be pulling a 53' car hauler. My friend just bought one too and his has 4.10 gear's in it and it pull's 3 car's just fine, except for the 6 mpg while fully loaded.

The only truck I can find that I want has 3.73's in it. Would this be a problem pulling that kind of weight, like on hill's and such. They want $2,000 to upgrade to 4.10's. Any recomendation's would be greatly appreciated.

 

I like my 3.54's, but if I was gonna pull a trailer as large as that, with a payload of 3 vehicles, I'd probably opt for the 4.10's. You gonna be pulling in a lot of hilly/mountainous areas? That would also make more sense for 4.10's. I'd stay with the 3.73's that are stock if you only pull flat land.
If you can hold out, or check another dealer, you may be able to find one with 4.10's already in it and get it for less than that upgrade price.

Chris

 

You will notice a difference between the 2 gear ratios. When you are talking about "they" are you refering to the dealer? If so, then that is WAY to much to spend for that mild upgrade. The job, so I have heard, is not that difficult, and can be done by a "mechanically inclined" individual. I've never done something such as that, but I reckon its not worth spending $2k to have someone else do it. Some others might chime in on where to get some upgraded gears, but I've heard nothing but good things about these guys:

http://www.ringpinion.com/

Good luck and keep us posted,
Hunter

 

Is it 2 or 4 wd? (2 sets of gears) The main thing to consider is that the 4:10 ratio gives you an higher 'legal' weight rating so if the dealer changes the gear ratio does it change your GVWR to the same as the 4:10 factory rating. I doubt it. These trucks, no matter which ratio they have, easily pull more than the rated GVWR so Go find yourself a duel wheel 4:10 Cummins & get the best legal rating you can get. Duel wheels I think would be necissary because those haulers can put a entire weight of a car right on the backs wheels.

Have fun shopping

db

 

Thank's for the replies.

It would be the dealer doing the gear change, other wise it would void my warranty. The truck is a 1 ton 2wd dually quad cab with the Cummins. And I'll be going all over the country, so yes, there are definatly hill's involved.

The problem I'm having is locating a truck anywhere. I want a red one. There simply are none in my area. The dealer located one in another state, but it has the 3.73's. The problem is it's so late in the year, they're all gone and I can't wait for a 05. My friend said try the 3.73's and change them later if they won't work. I'm going to check with the dealer and see if they would do that and not void the warranty. I just hate to not get it right the first time, and then have down time on top of that.

So, is there anyone out there with a simular truck pulling a heavy load with the 3.73's.

Thank's again and keep the idea's coming.

 

I would go with the 373's. If that doesn't work for you, you can always go to a smaller tire. I think that the torque of the cummins should do just fine.

 

Well guy's I found a differant truck that will work. Now I'm in for a road trip. Thank's for the help.

 

the 3.73 will pull just fine in most areas if you need to DOWNSHIFT it has 6 gears for a reason use them!

 

there was a used 2003 and a used 2004 at Landen Dodge in Southhaven MS last week. I looked at both of them and the 2004 was a red 4 door dually for 34K loaded and about 17K miles on it.

I ended up getting a 2001 3/4T 4x4 in Memphis TN