Gear ratio

[Kickboxer]

I have a 2020 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 and the standard 3.21 rear ratio. I have been looking to trade for a new 2022
and some dealers have the 3.92 ordered. I am very happy with my current vehicle, and I am questioning why the 3.92.
I don't pull a trailer much, but when I have the current 3.21 does just fine.

Thoughts on this ?

 

[Elvira]

I have 3.21 also on my little Ram truck, the occasional trailer pull...light weight aluminum boat. I actually like the 3.21, a very good hwy gear giving me great fuel mileage. I believe the trans is geared accordingly for 3.92 but still has the engine run a bit higher rpm's for pulling power. Bigger and heavier trailers do need the higher gear. You should be fine with what ever you decide.

 

[Rlaf75]

I was worried about it too but the dealer I bought my truck from already had the Ram I liked on the lot with 3.21 gears. I was skeptical about it at first because I tow a 7x11 enclosed trailer with a couple big 900lb harley davidson's in it on occasion but then I realized the small SUV I used to pull the trailer with was much less of a vehicle than the Ram is even with 3.21 gears. The 3.91gears will be a little bit better for towing if you were towing regularly and may be slightly quicker off the line if you punch it. Gas mileage will be similar between the two gear options with the 3.21 being slightly better. If you like the truck and are happy with the other equipped options then I'd recommend not over thinking it. You'll be fine with either gear ratio

 

[Todd Bennett]

I'd love to see a truck come out with a variable rear, set it for fuel economy or towing.

 

[Freeland Mark]

I'd love to see a truck come out with a variable rear, set it for fuel economy or towing.

They have a veritable gear ratio, its called the transmission....lol sorry I just had to say it.

 

[Todd Bennett]

They have a veritable gear ratio, its called the transmission....lol sorry I just had to say it.

Yeah but this would be a rear transmission, kinda like on a bicycle. Both front and rear gears.

 

[Freeland Mark]

That would get quite expensive and heavy doing both differentials. that's why they do it in the transmission (before the transfer case) Gearvendors is a company that makes over/ underdrive units but who needs a 12-20 speed ram?

 

[MADDOG]

A 3.92 gear set is a torque multiplier at low RPMs. They become helpful when you are towing heavy and need to move the mass of your load from a dead stop. They also help with moving a load close to your tow rating up steeper grades.

Ideally the 3.21 will do most of what you need with a lighter load.

 

[mikeru]

Yeah but this would be a rear transmission, kinda like on a bicycle. Both front and rear gears.

That would get quite expensive and heavy doing both differentials. that's why they do it in the transmission (before the transfer case) Gearvendors is a company that makes over/ underdrive units but who needs a 12-20 speed ram?

That technology has been around for a long time. I used to drive trucks during harvest when I was in high school. Many of those trucks had two speed rear ends, and 4 or 5 speed transmissions. They were 70's era trucks, but I suspect that tech is much older than that.

 

[GTyankee]

The transmission in your Ram can be programmed to shift like a Maserati Quattroporte, Rolls Royce Phantom and Aston Martin Rapede, etc.

It can be equipped with Manual Shift Mode & can execute driver requested gear changes in just 200 milliseconds.

The transmission adapts to each driver
If the primary driver is the type that obeys every law & never gives it a bit more gas than necessary, should lend the Ram to a relative for a week end that person is a maniac behind the wheel, when the Ram is returned, the Ram would be hard shifting & act squirrely. It would take a couple days of driving normally to retrain the shifting

 

[Kickboxer]

Thanks for the replies, I am familiar with HD trucks I have a 2500 HD Chev. with 4.10 gears.
I drive my Ram more like a car, over 90% easy.
So, I will still look for the 3.21, my current one is just right for me......

 

[tidefan1967]

Thanks for the replies, I am familiar with HD trucks I have a 2500 HD Chev. with 4.10 gears.
I drive my Ram more like a car, over 90% easy.
So, I will still look for the 3.21, my current one is just right for me......

If your Ram has the ZF transmission then it probably still has similar torque multiplication across all gears even with 3.21s than the 2500HD does with 4.10s.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I'd love to see a truck come out with a variable rear, set it for fuel economy or towing.

They used to make a split axle - two speed. I drove an old Ford F700 for a landscape service in 1980 that had one, because it had a gas motor without enough torque to move it with a load of dirt (landscaping company) with a one speed axle. The first pickup diesel was the Navistar IH in 1986.

 

[KeithP]

That technology has been around for a long time. I used to drive trucks during harvest when I was in high school. Many of those trucks had two speed rear ends, and 4 or 5 speed transmissions. They were 70's era trucks, but I suspect that tech is much older than that.

We have a 1955 Chevy 5500 with a 2 speed differential. And it wasn’t new technology then. They’ve been around a long time.

 

[Moose2]

They used to make a split axle - two speed. I drove an old Ford F700 for a landscape service in 1980 that had one, because it had a gas motor without enough torque to move it with a load of dirt (landscaping company) with a one speed axle. The first pickup diesel was the Navistar IH in 1986.

I used to own a 1961 international single axle dump with gas motor, two speed axle. Engine was really singing at 55mph. Not fast, by any means, but hauled the dirt. 4speed with granny gear. You could idle it in low with low side axle and get out and walk faster.

 

[runamuck]

the 3.92 being a lower gear will pull a little better. the truck will also be a little more responsive and seem a little peppier. having had a gmc with 3.42 gears and 6 speed before, my 1500 laramie feels like a sports car in comparison. you will take a small hit in gas mileage but I often get 20 on the highway, so plenty fine for me.

 

[turkeybird56]

That would get quite expensive and heavy doing both differentials. that's why they do it in the transmission (before the transfer case) Gearvendors is a company that makes over/ underdrive units but who needs a 12-20 speed ram?

Poster child for Ford??? LOL...

 

[rvance]

My brother had a 54 Crown Victoria with the overdrive unit, basically a 2 speed rear end. This was in 58 that I first rode in it. It also had a Paxton supercharger on the Mercury 312. But the two speed rear gear has been around a lot longer than me.

 

[2019RamInSC]

My brother had a 54 Crown Victoria with the overdrive unit, basically a 2 speed rear end. This was in 58 that I first rode in it. It also had a Paxton supercharger on the Mercury 312. But the two speed rear gear has been around a lot longer than me.

My Father's 53 Mercury had that overdrive handle you pulled under the dash. I was to young to realize that was a 2 speed rear. Your post reminded me of it. 3 speed on the column. I got to drive it very briefly. He upgraded to a 63 Mercury Monterey.

 

[David Roark]

I'd love to see a truck come out with a variable rear, set it for fuel economy or towing.

How do you set it for fuel economy? New one on me. I have the 3.21 on my 2020. Get about 12. Now thanks to Biden, with the higher price of gas, it is killing me. regret now I gave up my Silverado. If someone can advise me how to up it to around 18 or 19, I sure would appreciate it.