Need Rear Gear Ratio Opinions and why ???

[likes2build]

Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes. I have a 2018 RCSB RWD with a 3.6 and a 3.21 non-lsd rear. I know where to get decent prices on new complete rear axle assemblies with warranty that way I can do the labor myself and sell my old complete rear. Here's my choices, 3.55 LSD or a 3.92 non-LSD for about the same prices or a 3.92 LSD for $600 more than the first two I listed. I live where there is ice / snow and don't do any off roading other than an occasional mud road. With any of the axle choices I'll be gaining a little over 2K lbs towing capacity over the current 3.21's I have. The planned uses for what I want to tow are a 16' cargo trailer and a car trailer, no TT.

What's everyones ideas on what's best for me? Thanks

 

[Ratket]

Um... why? I don’t under stand how there is a 2klb towing difference between 392”s and 321”s unless if you are just going off of rams web site.

How does ur truck handle the load now?
Are you doing this for peace of mind?
Are you doing this for the legality of weight ur towing?

I imagine the 321”s with an 8 speed would handle those towing loads just fine.

 

[likes2build]

I went off the RAM website and these 2 others and they all list an additional 2k lbs capacity over the 3.21's.

This is from towing.com
2015 RAM 1500 Regular Cab Shortbed 2WD 3.6L V-6 4960 lb
Notes: 3.21:1, Automatic transmission, Eight Speeds

2015 RAM 1500 Regular Cab Shortbed 2WD 3.6L V-6 7310 lb
Notes: 3.55:1, Automatic transmission, Eight Speeds

And this is from trailerlife.com
Ram 1500 Regular Cab Standard Bed
Ram 1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD 3.6L V-6 4,970 (a8,d) 3.21
Ram 1500 Reg Cab Std Bed 2WD 3.6L V-6 7,260 (a8,h) 3.55

I haven't done any towing with this truck yet but need to when I transfer from AZ back to NY / FL

I'm impressed with the 3.6 / 8 speed on level roads but I just want to be able to handle transporting on hilly areas. My towing experience is limited to a 7x14, flat nose, 2 axle hauling a heavy American race bike with spares / tools and a drum of nitro. I towed that set-up with a '98 Sonoma v-6 and a '08 F150 v-6. So with the Pentastar I'm +100 hp, some torque and an 8 speed over my old vehicles.

 

[Ratket]

Unless if you notice you need more for towing or just want more umph, I would leave it because the legalities don’t change, it becomes more of a preference thing. If that’s what ya wanna do then more power to ya, ... since you are headed to the tri state area... I’d take that coin and drop it on Ripp super charger for it lol, just my thoughts.

 

[likes2build]

I don't believe that there is a Ripp kit for a 1500 available, I could be wrong?

 

[RamInfo]

A lot depends upon how much weight you will be towing and how hilly is the terrain through which you’ll tow. Have a look at this towing test, done with the 3.6 Pentastar and 4.10 gears:
https://www.tfltruck.com/2019/05/th...g-test-fully-loaded-super-ike-s-3-ep-1-video/

Personally, if you are looking to tow with the Pentastar I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 3.92s.

Best,
DG

 

[Ratket]

It’s a pen star V6 with an 8 speed... that’s basically everything they do, if they don’t I am sure they could.

 

[Ratket]

I like the Tfl truck videos, but I see them as a “ Worse case scenario”- because no one is towing the Ike gauntlet regularly, and they aren’t doing it with Jeep truck. But as videos in the past have shown, the V6 in a 1500 with the 8 speed does fine for what it is.

 

[Ratket]

Here watch this. It is no means a fair comparison because the V6 is close to max tow weight and the v8 is not. Also the V6 has 3:55 gears which is close enough to 3:21”s. And remember this is a worst case scenario.. it doesn’t get much steeper than the Ike with the altitude. I think it does just fine.

 

[Marine Les]

Go with 3.92 gears as I have 3.55 and I rarely get into 8 gear and the guys w/3.92s get about the same mpg as the 3.21.

 

[likes2build]

Go with 3.92 gears as I have 3.55 and I rarely get into 8 gear and the guys w/3.92s get about the same mpg as the 3.21.

@Marine Les I see you have a 5.9 & a 3.6, do you have 3.55's with the 3.6 and how much have you pulled with it? My mpg's are good with no load but I just would like to know about towing capabilities even with 3.92's and I'm not real concerned about mileage. I ran down hill on 40 to 93 from Kingman into Vegas today and got about 24. On the way back going uphill in big wind doing 80 it dropped to 18.5 mpg.

 

[Marine Les]

@Marine Les I see you have a 5.9 & a 3.6, do you have 3.55's with the 3.6 and how much have you pulled with it? My mpg's are good with no load but I just would like to know about towing capabilities even with 3.92's and I'm not real concerned about mileage. I ran down hill on 40 to 93 from Kingman into Vegas today and got about 24. On the way back going uphill in big wind doing 80 it dropped to 18.5 mpg.

I have the 3.55s giving the truck a tow rating of 7600# and I pull a 4000# boat with it and it does well but I would like the 3.92s better as the 8spd. has tall overdrive gears especially if I were towing heavier. The 3.6 drivers with 3.92s are reporting mpg very close to what I get not towing and I would bet mpg towing would be better than mine. In other words I see no down side to going lower and likely an upside towing with more torque and mpg.

 

[Ratket]

I just realized.... Howdy Neighbors!!!!

 

[Marine Les]

I have lived in South Dakota (born in), Az., grew up here, Ca., Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, Germany and there is no place I would rather live than Arizona. But if liberals keep moving here that could change.

 

[billyw]

That's a rough one for me. I would definitely prefer the 3.92 gears, but rely heavily on the LS often enough in the winter. I would like a true locker even more. As the 3.55 is just not enough more grunt, I don't think I would compromise in this scenario. Either do it all the way, or don't mess with it. JMHO.