07, 3500 QC, 4x4, lb, drw, auto, towing 12-15000lb. daily stop-n-go highway and city traffic all kinds of weather I am towing with a pintile hitch what do ya all think?

 

4.10:1's, you will like it for the around town, no doubt.

 

I would definitely get 4.10 with the auto...

 

I agree. A friend with taller gears finds that he has to use full throttle far too often........ with his stock automatic. I like the 354 better on my old standard.

 

Well I had 4.10's and switched to 3.73's. At highway speed's it felt like I needed another gear. I like the 3.73's much better. It does drive alot differant though. I guess it all depend's on what you're wanting to do.

 

3.73s is plenty with the auto

i tow my 34 ft 5er and my jeep behind it, about 13,500 lbs with no problems with 3.73s, if i can stay at 70 i don't need to downshift on most grades, and third will get over most hills with no issues even before i installed the xzt

i have buddies with the 4.10s they are all getting 1-3 mpg less than i am with their gearing

the only time i use wot is when i want to

 

at first i hated my 4:10's and wanted anything else. but now i'm getting decent mileage ( 19 open road) and i have no doubt i could pull ANYTHING i wanted too. and does it ever go in the mud !!

 

Thanks all for the replys, I have my truck narrowed down to 2 one with the 3s the other has the 4s I went today to a couple dealers and priced having them swap the 3.73 out to 4.10 and the price comes in at 1200-1500, just about the diff. between the two trucks but the truck with the 3s has a couple more options.
Now i'm just splitting hairs.

 

go with 3.73's, unless your pulling around 10+k all the time I think you'll be much happier. I have 3.54's and couldn't imagine anything lower, i'd still like to have another gear on the highway.

 

Tire size matters. I knew I was going to 35's, so I made up for them with the 4.10's. Stock size I'm sure I would have been happy with 3.73.

 

I have a relative that has an 05 Dodge/6 speed/ 4:10 gears and gets 14 towing flat land with a 37ft Carri-Lite Gross combined weight truck and trailer 23,500lbs. Stock truck with exhaust brake. He tows at 55mph most of the time. They just got back from a trip to Alaska before Thanksgiving, left in June. (15,526 miles) Average 12.8 mpg.

If you try and run 70-75 with a 4:10 you'll get 1-3 miles less per gallon than an automatic with a much higher overdrive ratio, 3:73 rear combination. If you slow that 4:10 down to 65mph you'll find it will give you better mileage than the 3:73 with the same load and won't lug the engine at the lower RPM's seen with the automatic in overdrive with 3:73's

Dave

 

Well you can eliminate any lugging simply by using your tow/ haul button. I have 373's and an auto and I can never remember lugging it even with steep hills hauling two tractors with a trailer weight of14,800#. Lock out OD or even use second if you have to( I don't think i have ever had to)
Joe

 

i agree with mule3010. gear it to tow the large loads in 3rd. less monkey motion in trans, less heat build up, have od for lighter loads and while empty. should get better fuel mileage all around. bet it would still pull the heavy loads in od in level country without a problem.

 

I have a buddy who just bought an 06 3500 drw with automatic 3.73 and he is sick over it. He tows 16,000 lbs most of the time. He says it is constantly down shifting on the slightest grade at highway speeds. He has to fly on the flat ground just to keep up with traffic when he hits a grade. My opinion 3.73 with G56 and 4.10 with auto. Mine runs about 300-350 rpms higher than his at 70-75 mph and mine has G56 and 3.73. Even with the Juice off I walk away from him pulling like loads uphill.

 

Yep.My neighbor has 3.73s and says same thing.Says mine tows much better.Going to pull any weight get the gear for it. 4.10s