3.21 gear change and other towing upgrades.

chasles22 · May 31, 2019

searched around a bit and can't quite get at what I am wondering. we are thinking about buy a TT and also have a boat we would like to trailer sometimes. I have a big horn with 3.21 gears which will tow ~8200lbs. no other change (same transmission, same trans cooler, same everything) with 3.92 gears will tow ~10,300. i don't really want or plan to tow that much and all the trailers we are looking at fall below 6500 dry weight which i think gives me enough headroom to the 8200 pounds...

so my questions are:
1. what is actually involved in changing the gears out (im not really planning to, i'm mostly a youtube mechanic... i'll change brakes etc, but wouldn't really consider touching the gear/axle unless it's just much easier than i imagine). I know the parts are around five hundred, i'd be interested to understand what it might cost to have someone else do it (dealer or other)

2. i've read a little about air bags or doing the air suspension, but i can't really get my head around it. is adding the OEM 4 corner air suspension possible? desirable? what about the "add a bag" things? i've always been flummoxed by suspensions so go easy on me here.

just looking for worthwhile improvements to the truck to make towing smooth and easy. i've done a ton a trailering but never a TT and never with this 1500 so it's all kinda new.

Ohio5pt7 · May 31, 2019

Changing the gears is $$$$$$$$. Air bags will help but imo 6500k is a little heavy. I have a tt 5807 dry and have a 4x4 express with 3.21s loaded its 7k ish I would guess pulling and stopping aren't a issue. I will however state that even with the Wd hitch and sway bars windy days suck. I personally wouldn't go over my weight without a HD.

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crash68 · May 31, 2019

Swapping gears is one of those jobs best left to the professionals. The gears have to be set correctly or they will be noisy and self destruct. A 4X4 will be pricey as both the front and rear differentials need to be changed.

Adding a four corner airbag set up might be nice for a low rider, and the factory set up would be quite expensive to add after the fact.

Most people add a set of rear helper airbags from Airlift or Timber Grove. Airlift offers both a lighter duty bag inside the coil and a frame to axle airbags similar to the Timber Grove set up. They are all a no cut/bolt-on installation.

chasles22 · May 31, 2019

crash68 said:
Swapping gears is one of those jobs best left to the professionals. The gears have to be set correctly or they will be noisy and self destruct. A 4X4 will be pricey as both the front and rear differentials need to be changed.

gotcha thanks. i have literally zero intent or motivation to do it myself. (gears that is). i have a 2wd so there's less of an impact to do it.

crash68 said:
Adding a four corner airbag set up might be nice for a low rider, and the factory set up would be quite expensive to add after the fact.

Most people add a set of rear helper airbags from Airlift or Timber Grove. Airlift offers both a lighter duty bag inside the coil and a frame to axle airbags similar to the Timber Grove set up. They are all a no cut/bolt-on installation.

i have seen the bags that go inside the coils. i'm not familiar with the frame to axle setup. is it a one vs the other kinda thing (belts and suspenders)? i've read about the firestone and airlift bag setups and seen the pictures of the timber grove version but it didn't register that it goes between frame and support... was trying to sort out how it installed in/with the springs. not really sure how to evaluate other than how much load leveling they offer.

crash68 · May 31, 2019

chasles22 said:
. i'm not familiar with the frame to axle setup. is it a one vs the other kinda thing (belts and suspenders)? i've read about the firestone and airlift bag setups and seen the pictures of the timber grove version but it didn't register that it goes between frame and support... was trying to sort out how it installed in/with the springs. not really sure how to evaluate other than how much load leveling they offer.

The frame to axle set-ups are located where the bumpstop is. They are usually heavier duty than the ones in the coils and the frame/axle bags can level out more weight. The bags inside the coils need to be fully inflated before loading the truck. Any of the airbags don't affect the vehicle ride when running the minimum 5 psi in them while unloaded.

OC455 · May 31, 2019

chasles22 said:
gotcha thanks. i have literally zero intent or motivation to do it myself. (gears that is). i have a 2wd so there's less of an impact to do it.

i have seen the bags that go inside the coils. i'm not familiar with the frame to axle setup. is it a one vs the other kinda thing (belts and suspenders)? i've read about the firestone and airlift bag setups and seen the pictures of the timber grove version but it didn't register that it goes between frame and support... was trying to sort out how it installed in/with the springs. not really sure how to evaluate other than how much load leveling they offer.

Timber Grove ASAM's

In my opinion, they are the better of the options.

chasles22 · May 31, 2019

OC455 said:
Timber Grove ASAM's

In my opinion, they are the better of the options.

They look good. I just finished watching the install video... Ordering on Monday.

dhay13 · Jun 1, 2019

Just for awareness, changing gears will not change the 'legal' tow capacity of your vehicle. I know, and probably everyone else on here knows, that installing 3.92s would make it the same truck as the one rated to tow 10,000+ lbs but if you are in an accident and are over the legal weight stated on your stickers the insurance companies will have a fun time with you. You 'may' have a valid argument and win your case but it will still cost $$$ for legal fees. I'm not saying you can't do it or criticizing you for doing it, just making you aware.

I just bought a 2500 because we bought a new boat last August and after buying it realized it was 2000lbs heavier than our last one (both 25'). I was at about 9000-9500lbs and my truck was rated to tow 8600. I was thinking about a new truck anyway so just went with the 2500 to cover my rear

crash68 · Jun 1, 2019

dhay13 said:
Just for awareness, changing gears will not change the 'legal' tow capacity of your vehicle. I know, and probably everyone else on here knows, that installing 3.92s would make it the same truck as the one rated to tow 10,000+ lbs but if you are in an accident and are over the legal weight stated on your stickers the insurance companies will have a fun time with you.

The "legal" sticker your referring to has GAWR and GVWR, neither one of those change when you re-gear. You won't find a GCWR on that sticker which will change the tow "rating". That same sticker also doesn't reference gearing but it does state tire size, type and inflation.
Depending on the state you live in, vehicles have can have a GCWR based on the vehicle classification or what you plate the vehicle for, referred to as Elected Gross Weight.
Even if a vehicle is within it's "legal tow rating" and you get into an accident, depending on the severity you can be charged criminally liable for negligence.

chasles22 · Jun 1, 2019

dhay13 said:
Just for awareness, changing gears will not change the 'legal' tow capacity of your vehicle.

ya, gotcha. that's what i was trying to say in my original post. absolutely shopping for TT that will work with my truck's limit as it came from factory incl cargo etc. we are focused on TT that gives us about 2K of headroom. i'm adding the airbags etc and considering the gear swap to improve the capability of my truck to tow within it's factory limits. it's all paid off and i'm not interested in buying another truck. got this one with a factory lifetime mopar warranty and in the next 2 weeks it will have: new 7" EVIC dash, new UAQ nav radio, aux swithces, trailer brake controller and then i'm ready to go....

Ohio5pt7 · Jun 1, 2019

chasles22 said:
ya, gotcha. that's what i was trying to say in my original post. absolutely shopping for TT that will work with my truck's limit as it came from factory incl cargo etc. we are focused on TT that gives us about 2K of headroom. i'm adding the airbags etc and considering the gear swap to improve the capability of my truck to tow within it's factory limits. it's all paid off and i'm not interested in buying another truck. got this one with a factory lifetime mopar warranty and in the next 2 weeks it will have: new 7" EVIC dash, new UAQ nav radio, aux swithces, trailer brake controller and then i'm ready to go....

I like the forest river wild wood x-lite myself

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chasles22 · Jun 1, 2019

Ohio5pt7 said:
I like the forest river wild wood x-lite myself

Yes guy! We're big fans of the Forrest river stuff too Like the wildwood toy hauler, and the alpha wolf too. Rv show next week Gonna check out some deals.

ram1500newbie · Jul 11, 2019

Ohio5pt7 said:
I like the forest river wild wood x-lite myself View attachment 168252

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Is that the 26’ one? It looks identical to mine. Can you share any upgrades you did to your truck to make it tow better?

Ohio5pt7 · Jul 11, 2019

ram1500newbie said:
Is that the 26’ one? It looks identical to mine. Can you share any upgrades you did to your truck to make it tow better?

Yes it's the 263bhxl. All I have done to the truck is add the factory trailer brake module, tow mirrors, 14k lb rated WDH with sway bar. I doubt the vararam or muffler delete are helping anything and to be honest power wise it doesn't need help. Truck pulls it just fine but on a windy day it still is a handle full. I towed it on memorial day (15 tornado outbreak 4 of which were in my area) and It wasnt exactly a fun 2hrs. But then again it's a big sail and loaded about 2k more than the truck not to mention 50mph winds that day not sure any set up would be fun pulling.

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Toddbigboytruck · Jul 14, 2019

Thank you for all this write up I to have a 18 Laramie with a 321 and regrets but it was what was on the lot 2 months after the purchase I towed my family and 5800 lbs tt to Disney the truck towed well there he fuel cost was a lot more then. I expected. All the thinks that was mentioned in this thread but I think I will still add the air bad that go inside the springs just to help with the saging

pacofortacos · Jul 15, 2019

IMO, the easiest way to do your gears is just a complete axle swap if you can find one in a wrecking yard or via car-part dot com.

Easy to do and should be setup perfectly from the factory.
Almost a no brainer on a 2WD if you can find one.
Limited slip would be a must also.

scott lass 18 · Feb 9, 2020

chasles22 said:
searched around a bit and can't quite get at what I am wondering. we are thinking about buy a TT and also have a boat we would like to trailer sometimes. I have a big horn with 3.21 gears which will tow ~8200lbs. no other change (same transmission, same trans cooler, same everything) with 3.92 gears will tow ~10,300. i don't really want or plan to tow that much and all the trailers we are looking at fall below 6500 dry weight which i think gives me enough headroom to the 8200 pounds...

so my questions are:
1. what is actually involved in changing the gears out (im not really planning to, i'm mostly a youtube mechanic... i'll change brakes etc, but wouldn't really consider touching the gear/axle unless it's just much easier than i imagine). I know the parts are around five hundred, i'd be interested to understand what it might cost to have someone else do it (dealer or other)

2. i've read a little about air bags or doing the air suspension, but i can't really get my head around it. is adding the OEM 4 corner air suspension possible? desirable? what about the "add a bag" things? i've always been flummoxed by suspensions so go easy on me here.

just looking for worthwhile improvements to the truck to make towing smooth and easy. i've done a ton a trailering but never a TT and never with this 1500 so it's all kinda new.

oh has dodge give u a recall like mine on axle nut mine 2010 will it fail 45,000 miles on it but has new 3.92 ring and pinion in it feeling the nut is a bad one see on line danon is 2 times as wide and a flange on it ! so this morning a big clunk off towing to axle shop the only way to fix or change one ! if u do it make sure they use own parts not like me so not sure how much to fix now !

scott lass 18 · Feb 9, 2020

pacofortacos said:
IMO, the easiest way to do your gears is just a complete axle swap if you can find one in a wrecking yard or via car-part dot com.

Easy to do and should be setup perfectly from the factory.
Almost a no brainer on a 2WD if you can find one.
Limited slip would be a must also.

yes best think these axle with 3.1 in them junk maybe did mine two times now nut messed up have to tow in to fix after dodge tested it ! big clunk glad I didn't drive but to home now !

3.21 gear change and other towing upgrades.

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