Few questions about gears

[Yeret]

So, after pondering things about performance, I started thinking about gears and am actually quite surprised at the cost. Granted, slapping in a ring and pinion and calling it a day isn't the best way to go (bearings, seals, new oil, etc wanna be changed too) but the cost still seems quite appealing.

I know quite a bit more about engines than I do the rest of a vehicle's driveline, so I have a few questions.

First, what type of rear end was typically used on late year second generation Rams? I'm thinking it's a Chrysler 9.25" but I'm not positive. Also, what were typical OEM gear ratios?

Since my truck is a 4x4, if I were to shorten the rear gear ratio, would it be necessary to do the same to the front?

What would be a good ratio to run? Even with shorter gears, I still want to keep things in the low-mid range, so I don't really want to run a set that's gonna make the engine run 3,000 RPM at highway speed (95% of my driving is on the highway).

Any other hints/tips/advice would be well appreciated as well. As i said, I've seldom dabbled in differential stuff so I've got a bit to learn.

 

[BBartow]

Yes, Dana 44 up front and Chrysler 9.25" in the rear on the 1500s. Gear ratio is usually 3.55, however there's a rare option of 3.92 and the ORE trucks had 4.10s.

If you want to use 4x4, then you should regear both front and rear axles.

Depends on what size tire you want.

 

[Yeret]

Running 255/70/16 right now and don't plan on straying far from that. When I bought my tires, I originally wanted to run 245/75/16, but my rims would put them at the limit of their maximum rim width and I didn't like the idea, so I went the next step wider.

I'm not really interested in going larger than that or even lifting the truck for that matter (MAYBE a 2" lift down the road).

i'm surprised the OEM ratio is even that high (I was thinking it was gonna be closer to 2.73:1 or something, LOL). Since I want to keep tire size/lift more or less stock, perhaps changing the gearing won't benefit me so much?