3.92 Gear Swap

[mdodge93]

Is it worth swapping from a 3.21 ratio to 3.92 ratio for hauling? I’ve been looking at getting a camper and would rather be safe towing versus pushing the max. Any suggestions or where to find a complete kit for a 2017 Big Horn?

 

[crash68]

Search www.car-part.com for some low mileage front differential assembly and rear axle with 3.92 to swap out what's on your truck now.

 

[GTyankee]

If you only have 2 wheel drive, it might be worth it

If you have 4 wheel drive, just forget about it

 

[04fxdwgi]

Depends on what the camper weighs.. And the terrain you are towing in.

My 16 is running the 3.21 gears (4x4) and tows my boat and trailer (about 5k wet) just fine. It hangs onto gears quite a bit longer, but the tow mode is doing that I believe.
I strictly use the tow mode when hooked up.

 

[Rlaf75]

What are you towing or hauling? You'll need to swap the entire front differential because the gears are not serviceable. The rear differential has serviceable gears. If you find the parts used you're probably looking at 1 to 2k in parts plus the cost of labor. New parts will probably be closer between 3 and $4k plus labor.. I believe the dealer has to reflash the computer too.

 

[2003F350]

Is it worth swapping from a 3.21 ratio to 3.92 ratio for hauling? I’ve been looking at getting a camper and would rather be safe towing versus pushing the max. Any suggestions or where to find a complete kit for a 2017 Big Horn?

Remember that doing the gear swap doesn't LEGALLY raise your numbers unless you go get it certified, and even then you've got to keep that with the truck.

That said, you've gotten all your other numbers and suggestions. It WILL pull better with the 3.92's, but your mileage will suffer horribly.

 

[mdodge93]

Depends on what the camper weighs.. And the terrain you are towing in.

My 16 is running the 3.21 gears (4x4) and tows my boat and trailer (about 5k wet) just fine. It hangs onto gears quite a bit longer, but the tow mode is doing that I believe.
I strictly use the tow mode when hooked up.

Most campers I’ve been looking at at about 6k dry. And right now it would be mountainous/ hilly terrain.

 

[CamperMike]

You will run out of cargo capacity before you get to the 3.21 gear limits... it allows towing nearly 8k lbs and imo that is a bit large of a travel trailer for a 1500. The 6k dry one you are looking at is probably 7.5k lbs or so loaded.

 

[62Blazer]

I will just comment that I don't think "safely" has anything to do with the gear change. Sure, it will have more "power" and won't downshift as much in the hills just lower gears does nothing for the safety of the vehicle....even if just saying it's safer for the engine, transmission, and rest of the drivetrain...really doesn't make any difference in that regards. While I also don't think you really "need" the lower gears, it probably will feel better towing with less downshifting.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I just swapped from 3.21 to 4.88 on my Jeep, pulls my travel trailer way nicer !

I did 4.56 on my truck and it made a huge difference as well.

I didnt buy a truck and Jeep for fuel mileage so IDGAF about that. 3.21 gears are lame AF