Changing from 3.92 to 4.56 gears?

[njohnson6425]

Was wanting some input. I have a 2008 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab with 5.7. I currently have a 36 foot 9200lb dry weight pull behind camper. I currently have the 3.92 gears in it. I'm wanting to know that if I get the 4.56 then I know I have to get the gears for the front transfer case but do the need to match 4.56?

 

[Karlsweg]

Yes

 

[Quyonmob]

The gear ratio in the front differential needs to be the same as the gear ratio in the rear differential. Unless you remove your front driveshaft for good...

 

[sandawilliams]

No matter what you do you cant make a 2500 out of a 1500. Believe me- I've tried.

 

[Marley]

No disrespect but 9200 lb dry weight trailer is gonna end up well over the trucks towing capacity, even with 4.56 gears.

For future reference, it's always a good idea for tow vehicle to safely pull the trailers GVWR which you'll actually find very close to real weight once trailer is loaded with supplies, water, battery and Propane.

Dry weight is fictional.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Get a 2500. That's too much for that 1500 and you could get busted legally (safety for exceeding safe towing weight) towing that down the road.

 

[JohnnyMac]

The max rated tow capacity for a 2008/QC/5.7 is 8500lbs. You are not going to enjoy driving that setup one bit.

 

[Vanterpool224]

Was wanting some input. I have a 2008 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab with 5.7. I currently have a 36 foot 9200lb dry weight pull behind camper. I currently have the 3.92 gears in it. I'm wanting to know that if I get the 4.56 then I know I have to get the gears for the front transfer case but do the need to match 4.56?

Do you know what the 4.56 max towing capcity is? Use that as a starting point. Not knocking... but if all else fails, maybe you should look into upgrading to a 2500 like @sandawilliams mentioned.

 

[CantRepeat]

Do you know what the 4.56 max towing capcity is? Use that as a starting point. Not knocking... but if all else fails, maybe you should look into upgrading to a 2500 like @sandawilliams mentioned.

In general, the gearing doesn't really affect the towing capacity per se. It does help to get heavier loads moving but, it's more of the axle, chassis and engine that affect towing capacity. The axles have larger and stronger ring and pinion gears and the chassis normally have heavier gauge frames.

edit - also transmission and cooling capacity affect tow ratings.

 

[njohnson6425]

I apologize about the weight of the camper. The dry weight is 7908. The GVWR is 9600. I have the 3.92 gears. The transmission temp maxes out to about 215 degrees and that's going through the hills of Tennessee. I also have 33in murders with 2 inch wheel spacers. 2000lb air bags. Sure getting a 2500 is always a better option but at this point not an option. Any suggestions about what would make this safer to pull? As I said I haven't had any problems pulling this on a 7 hour trip yet besides my passenger side wheel bearing going bad.

 

[Marley]

Figure on 3K + for the regear.

Yes 4.56 gears will help keep the RPM'S up for better HP but watch your payload.....don't overload the bed or shove in to many passengers.
Your hitch weight is gonna eat up a lot of your payload on a 1500.

Try to keep your trailer as light as possible also, little things like not running with full fresh water tank ,over loading trailer with stuff you don't need.

And get yourself an aftermarket transmission cooler, cheap and easy to install on these trucks.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Figure on 3K + for the regear.

Yes 4.56 gears will help keep the RPM'S up for better HP but watch your payload.....don't overload the bed or shove in to many passengers.
Your hitch weight is gonna eat up a lot of your payload on a 1500.

Try to keep your trailer as light as possible also, little things like not running with full fresh water tank ,over loading trailer with stuff you don't need.

And get yourself an aftermarket transmission cooler, cheap and easy to install on these trucks.

Agree with everything but that, why do that when these trucks all come with them and have factory plug-n-play upgrade options?