4/6 inch lift and 35's or 37's with 3.21 gearing help.

[RedSRT4Me]

Hi everyone. I found this forum site gives the most feedback to the people who are posting so I thought I'd start here. I recently bought a 2015 ram 1500 Express 3.6L with the 3.21 gearing used with 50k miles. Even though a hemi would've been great it was never an option for me due to a financial stand point and also only being 17 years old. I ended getting some birthday money and have been saving some extra money and I want to put 35's or 37's and a 4 or 6 inch lift to give my truck some stance. I see a lot of people give the 3.21 gearing tons of ****. But there is the few odd people out there would have 35's or 37's on their ram with 3.21 gearing. But those people using 3.21 gearing have the hemi with 3.21 gearing. I've realized that ram's newer V6 engines like mine have a pretty substantial amount of horsepower compared to older V8's with big lifts. I'm more concerned about the gearing than anything. Can anyone help with this decision on what to do? Thanks for any feedback.

Are you running a 4wd or 2wd?

What kind of budget are you working with?

What is the order of modifications you plan on doing?

 

[Random_Walk]

Hi everyone. I found this forum site gives the most feedback to the people who are posting so I thought I'd start here. I recently bought a 2015 ram 1500 Express 3.6L with the 3.21 gearing used with 50k miles. Even though a hemi would've been great it was never an option for me due to a financial stand point and also only being 17 years old. I ended getting some birthday money and have been saving some extra money and I want to put 35's or 37's and a 4 or 6 inch lift to give my truck some stance.

As someone who owns a 2017 with a 3.6 L V6 and 3.21 gearing, I gotta say...

...dude, are you high!?

Okay, let me explain.

Yes, the latest 3.6 L V6 engines (including mine) has 305 hp. That's a lot of 'oomph. However, the 3.21 gearing plus big meats? It'll gut through it, but it's gonna play hell on your fuel mileage, cut down a bit on how much you can haul (in the bed or on the hitch), and climbing any steep road is suddenly gonna suck - bad.

A V6 with 3.55 gearing would be doable (I think), but 3.21 is gonna be pure yuck for that kind of thing.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

I have the 6 speed 3:92 gears and the 5.7 and it’s a complete dog. Wont even spin the tires off the line. Do I want to put 4:56 in like the chart calls for...absolutely. But your looking at almost $500+labor for each axle to swap gears. Hopefuly when my motor blows and I put a forged 6.4 in it it should be ok.
But to answer your question...go with what the chart says for gear ratio. As long as your geared for your tires, you will be ok.
I had 37’s on my wrangler with the 3.8L and 3:73 gears. 6-speed manual, and I couldn’t even shift it into 5th gear. I had to install 5:13 gears.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

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[Lifted2wd]

You’re running 37s for the 30k miles you said, right?

Yes. 30k on 37x12.5x20 with no issues

Ran 35's for 40k before.

This morning cruises at 70mph @ 1500rpm in 8th gear

MPG bar at 20

 

[Wyatt Blakeley]

Are you running a 4wd or 2wd?

What kind of budget are you working with?

What is the order of modifications you plan on doing?

I’m 4wd. I’m working with about $2500. I figured I might have to save more but I want to level and use 20x12 rims with 35’s. After the fact I want to do like a cold air intake and general stuff like it.

 

[Wyatt Blakeley]

I have the 8 speed transmission. Having a pretty tough time because that’s what everyone says. It seems like no one really has the 3.21 V6 so it’s hard to make my judgements. On this current thread everyone is telling me no. I wish I could find someone who was in the same position and actually gave the truck some stance. 37’s are for sure a no but I still feel 35’s could be okay.

 

[RLJ10X]

I guarentee, id never be happy with 3.21s on stock tires

I test drove a RCSB 3.21/8 on stock tires. Quite honestly I couldn't for the life of me figure out what all the hubbub about the 8 speed was about. Yeah, you have that really low 1st gear, which the truck uses for what, about 3/4 of a second? Then I think second in the 8 is real close to first in the 5/6 speed. From there on, it was just a bunch of shifting.

But feel is subjective. And I'll be the first to admit my butt Dyno is as totally worthless as everyone else's.

This is my opinion, and it applies to both the 6 and 8 speed: stock tires nothing less than 3.92. 35s, nothing less than 4.10. 37 s, othing less than 4.56s. The chart is correct!

For lack of a better analogy, Your truck is happier on lowish gears. And gears should match tire size.

 

[Wyatt Blakeley]

Just remeber folks, the 8pseed has no advantage once into overdrive, same 0.67 ratio as the 6 speed. The 8 spd helps out of the hole with deeper ratios and a closer spread but once above 50 or so and crusiing the gearing advantage is gone. My truck will get into 8th around 48mph if I’m driving “easy”.


To the OP, all really depends on what you’re willing to put up with. You can sure as heck throw 37’s on your truck just know and be prepared for a slower truck that will probably shift alot and drink alot if fuel. Be honest with your expectstions and you’ll be fine.

On another note, wish i had a truck that nice @ 17, good on you young man!

Yeah for sure I’m trying to think about the worst possible scenarios. I grinded my ass off for that truck.

 

[Kernal Clink]

He asked for opinions and input ... That’s what I gave him

Complex ? WTF are you talking about ? I have a Hemi and 3.55’s on a 4” lift with 35 X 12.50’s and not a day goes by that I don’t regret not ordering the truck with 3.92’s ... It my opinion ... So offer yours to the kid, and leave me the f$ck out of your posts

Additional note : Regearing to front of these trucks after 2010 involves a total diff swap




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No, you're right. He did ask for opinions. What he didn't ask for was someone to **** on HIS truck. If he wants to spend his money on tires and wheels for a V6 truck then what business is it of yours? Offer opinions about the questions he asked instead of downing his ideas about his truck. Maybe he doesn't want a Hemi. The Hemi fanboys on this forum are everywhere. We get it, it's a V8. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota all have them too.

I deleted my original post because after posting it I thought better of it. Not my place to criticize. I stand by what I said but I was raised better and shouldn't have said it even if I thought it.


Kid, do what you want with your truck. It's YOUR truck. My opinion is 37s are too much but brother if you want them, get them.

 

[jdavila99999]

No, you're right. He did ask for opinions. What he didn't ask for was someone to **** on HIS truck. If he wants to spend his money on tires and wheels for a V6 truck then what business is it of yours? Offer opinions about the questions he asked instead of downing his ideas about his truck. Maybe he doesn't want a Hemi. The Hemi fanboys on this forum are everywhere. We get it, it's a V8. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota all have them too.

I deleted my original post because after posting it I thought better of it. Not my place to criticize. I stand by what I said but I was raised better and shouldn't have said it even if I thought it.


Kid, do what you want with your truck. It's YOUR truck. My opinion is 37s are too much but brother if you want them, get them.

Agreed


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[jdavila99999]

Agreed


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That’s the truck he has to work with period.
I started out with a Chevy Chevette lime green.



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[rwhjr]

No, you're right. He did ask for opinions. What he didn't ask for was someone to **** on HIS truck. If he wants to spend his money on tires and wheels for a V6 truck then what business is it of yours? Offer opinions about the questions he asked instead of downing his ideas about his truck. Maybe he doesn't want a Hemi. The Hemi fanboys on this forum are everywhere. We get it, it's a V8. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota all have them too.

I deleted my original post because after posting it I thought better of it. Not my place to criticize. I stand by what I said but I was raised better and shouldn't have said it even if I thought it.


Kid, do what you want with your truck. It's YOUR truck. My opinion is 37s are too much but brother if you want them, get them.

I take it you didn’t like BOWERS tone but he didn’t really “**** on the guys truck”.

He had a point.....he wasn’t telling the kid that a V6 sucks. His point was that the V6 is underpowered to run 37s and 3.21 gears. If the kid just wanted to hear everybody say “do it, do it!!” Then he shouldn’t have seeked public opinion on the subject and just gone and done it and dealt with the consequences. He came to hear both sides which BOWERS is part of.

No need to be upset and if it came down to it I think almost everyone would side with the NO crowd because the truck won’t drive well without a gear change on 37s.

Now 35s he may be able to pull off if he goes with a lighter tire and maybe one of the 35s that run smaller. Nitto has some 35x11.5s that might work.

If he can do his best to limit tire size/weight I think he will be happier but he can certainly go a little bigger than stock without going to 37s like youre saying is an okay option for him.....which is a bigger disservice to the OP than some honesty even if it’s not what he wanted to hear.

He’s saying he’s on a limited budget and you’re telling him he should go spend the $$$ on something he’s not going to enjoy.

 

[Kernal Clink]

I don't know what tone was being used, not that it matters. Why tell someone to sell their truck and go buy something else when that's not what was asked?

My opinion was the same as everyone else. 37s are too much for his truck, but it's still HIS truck. If he wants 37s I damn sure am not the guy to tell him not too. Opinions were asked for and given. I didn't see "Should I sell my truck or spend MY money on it?"

 

[BOWERSFJ]

What rwhjr said ... Lol ... At 56 I’ve made my fair share of mistakes on vehicles ... Just tryin to keep a 17 year old kid from spendin his birthday money on mods that might not work out ... If he were just talkin about a level, and new wheels with a slight upgrade in tire size, I wouldn’t even have posted ... But read the thread title ... That’s not the path he was headin down ... $2500 will get him some wheels, tires, Bils, and an alignment ... I have no issue with the V6 ... I have that same motor in a Grand Cherokee, and luv it ... I didn’t need a hemi or a hellcat in my wife’s SUV ... I’d like to keep her on this planet for a lotta more years


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[BOWERSFJ]

If he wants 37s I damn sure am not the guy to tell him not too.

Well, that’s just one of the differences between me and you ... I am the guy that will tell him it’s a mistake, and maybe save him some grief down the road ... Not ****tin on his truck at all ... Just tellin him if his goal is to have a 6” lifted ground poundin beast rollin on 37’s, that his current vehicle isn’t the best starting point ... If he’s happy doing something in between that and stock, then have at it, and I hope your happy with the results




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[Wyatt Blakeley]

No, you're right. He did ask for opinions. What he didn't ask for was someone to **** on HIS truck. If he wants to spend his money on tires and wheels for a V6 truck then what business is it of yours? Offer opinions about the questions he asked instead of downing his ideas about his truck. Maybe he doesn't want a Hemi. The Hemi fanboys on this forum are everywhere. We get it, it's a V8. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota all have them too.

I deleted my original post because after posting it I thought better of it. Not my place to criticize. I stand by what I said but I was raised better and shouldn't have said it even if I thought it.


Kid, do what you want with your truck. It's YOUR truck. My opinion is 37s are too much but brother if you want them, get them.

Thanks I appreciate that because by the end of the day it is my decision. I know not everyone is always going to agree with what I say and that’s just life. But I myself can even think 37’s will be too much for my truck. I think I’d be happy with 35’s. I’ll wait for the day when my next opportunity to buy my next truck is to put on 37’s and do some more research. I’m thinking 35’s should be okay. I get what comes along with it and I’m willing to deal with it. Thanks for the opinion

 

[jdavila99999]

Thanks I appreciate that because by the end of the day it is my decision. I know not everyone is always going to agree with what I say and that’s just life. But I myself can even think 37’s will be too much for my truck. I think I’d be happy with 35’s. I’ll wait for the day when my next opportunity to buy my next truck is to put on 37’s and do some more research. I’m thinking 35’s should be okay. I get what comes along with it and I’m willing to deal with it. Thanks for the opinion

Bravo


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[Kernal Clink]

The truth is, if you're not happy with your choice of tire size, I'm sure there is someone out there willing to trade or buy your set up and you can go back to stock or something else. They are just tires. It's not like you're swapping the whole drivetrain.

 

[Lifted2wd]

Honestly. If you do 37s you can always go down. Check tirebuyer.com they have a 45 day return policy. I went with them for price and that alone. I ended up loving my setup and didnt look back. End of the day it's your truck your decision. Everyone will have input for you and when making a decision such as this it's nice to get the good the bad and the ugly. If you dont mind a dog and want that aggressive look 37s all the way. You want to maintain some sanity in traffic and drivability 35s and go.