Rear axle ratio. What to order 3.73 or 4.10

[snapper23]

Hello all,
I am in the process of making some decisions on what to order with the new truck. Definitely going to order the high output Cummings, still deciding on dual or single rear wheels as well as the rear axle gear ratio. Any thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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[GsRAM]

If your ordering.....4.10. Not much difference between the two....but since your ordering.....go for the 4.10s

 

[Elkman]

GM uses only 3.73 with its 2500 and 3500 diesel pickups. Ford goes with 4.10 on the F-450 which is more of a towing truck. When you have an engine that provides peak power at less than 2000 RPMs the gearing can be higher without problems.

With my truck's 3.73 gears the diesel is comfortably within its peak torque band at highway speeds which makes cruising with a heavy trailer much smoother with fewer gear shifts.

 

[RLJ10X]

Elk makes a good point.

I don't have one, but from what I've read, the 2500 guys sure seem to love their 4.10s.

I am of the opinion that a lower gear ratio has a very small detrimental effect on fuel economy. But anyone who buys a big new truck, then thinks they're getting ahead by saving a few pennies every fill up, is fooling themselves. There are a lot better ways sto save a little mone than tall gears.

 

[michael harpe]

4.10 but I’ve got a power wagon and that’s just how they come


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[Dinky]

I dont have one but my buddy has a 3500 with 4:10s. We used to tow his boat full loaded was 15k and we went over a pretty decent pass every weekend with it. If your going to tow with any good amount of weight with decent passes I would definitely run 4:10s.

 

[88ROOK]

you can still order a 2018?????

 

[michael harpe]

Check rams site but I believe yes. That’s their build and price page



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[snapper23]

Thanks so much for your responses, I am going to order a 2019. I currently have a 2500 hemi 6.4 with 4.10 I ordered 5 years ago and it been a great truck but I want to upgrade to the diesel. I plan on retiring in the next few years and will be traveling more and pulling my 11,500 Lb travel trailer around quite a bit more. I live in the East and travel a lot in the Appalachian mountain area so pulling the mountain grades are frequent most of the time. I will travel out west to vacation so fuel use is important, but power to pull the mountains is also important. Trailer upgrade in the future is not on my radar list for quite some time. Thanks for all your input on the issue. I am leaning towards the single rear wheel axle due to more flexibility in parking and less maintenance costs. This will also be my daily driver as well.

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[snapper23]

My two color choices and models I narrowed it down to

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[Dinky]

My two color choices and models I narrowed it down to

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depend on how much pulling you plan on doing if you think about a dually will displace the weight under load better. so the wear on your tires will probably be a little better on the dually and more stable with duals. getting around parking lots is the last thing on your list they both drive like a boat lmao. If i was to retire and plan on doing a lot of pulling i would run with the dually mysely. the non dual truck will do everything you need only hualing 11.5k no problem with either of them. definitely post some pics with you get the keys

 

[TNabb]

I’m looking at buying a 2016 6.4l to pull my 12,000 lb 5th wheel (fully loaded) but was disappointed when I saw it had a 3.73. Everything else is good so I’m trying to decide if this should be a show stopper. I only take the trailer out 6 - 8 times a year but a couple of those are through mountain passes. Any comments?

 

[michael harpe]

I’m looking at buying a 2016 6.4l to pull my 12,000 lb 5th wheel (fully loaded) but was disappointed when I saw it had a 3.73. Everything else is good so I’m trying to decide if this should be a show stopper. I only take the trailer out 6 - 8 times a year but a couple of those are through mountain passes. Any comments?

If you're dead set on that truck, upgrade the gears. Otherwise wait and find one that has 4.10. Granted semi trucks have 3.73 gears but they also have 9 and 10 speed transmissions and more hp and torque.

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[TNabb]

Thanks for the reply. I’m doing some checking to make sure there wouldn’t be any problems changing to the 4.10 (thought I’d read that there could be some problems on more recent models). As long as I’ve got that option then I’ll be good.

 

[Burla]

rfe transmision

Mainly you will want to see these video's, every rfe owner should, especially if you are towing. You at a minimum will want to go through the valve body, pistons, rings, springs, a gasket or plate, and tune up line pressure. They have thermo bypass delete and synthetic metal thread upgrades as well. And ester based redline c+ really helps as well. You could really do some good just by going through valve body the correct way, then if the tranny fails someday you wont need to touch the valve body upgrades you already put it, and it might just save the tranny in the first place. My bro went through 3 transmisions with his cummins, before he opted for a manual. I bet he would have liked to know about these upgrades before he decided to trade his cummins in. I'd prioritize the transmision before gears, you can always go back and do gears, and worst case they break and then you just due them then.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Lower gears will help load on transmission & engine on the 6-speed.
Video floating around somewhere on this.

Here it is: discussed around the 6 min mark

 

[Burla]

Lower gears will help load on transmission & engine on the 6-speed.
Video floating around somewhere on this.

Zero doubt, but even if you have 4.10's you still have a grossly inadequate transmision for towing 12k pounds up mountains imo. Both things should be done, at least go through valve body and gears.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Zero doubt, but even if you have 4.10's you still have a grossly inadequate transmision for towing 12k pounds up mountains imo. Both things should be done, at least go through valve body and gears.

Yeah I have the gears just need to upgrade valve body,
You ever get around to upgrading yours?

 

[Burla]

Yeah I have the gears just need to upgrade valve body,
You ever get around to upgrading yours?

Not yet, but I only tow a 1500 pound trailer and I drive like an old man. I got about ten grand worth of dental work to navigate through as well and rims and tires. Just have to prioritize.

 

[JimmyA]

I have a 2017 Ram 3500 Dually long bed, purchased new in 2018! I have 217,500 miles of hauling 5th wheel and bumper pull campers across the United States, so I believe I qualify on giving advice on this subject! My truck of course has the Cummins and 3.73 gearing with automatic transmission 68RFE. My truck has been serviced regularly by myself and Stealer and still OEM Emissions. If you haven't purchased yet, go with 3.73's that would be the ideal gear ration for around town and enough grunt (torque) to climb any Mtn. pass that you may travel. Flat-ground towing I have averaged 11-13mpg under good conditions, Mountainous areas and windy conditions I have seen 7-9mph. I could have bettered my mileage by backing off and slowing down, but miles meant $$$. There was not one time that I needed any more power and was very pleased with3.73's. My prior truck was a New GMC Sierra 1/2 ton with 3.03 gearing and I used as everyday truck, often pulling a 18ft bass boat, occasionally pully a motorcycle trailer with 2 Touring bikes IE Goldwing, Harley Ultra Classic but the truck was gutless, I changed out the gearing to 4.10's which made towing exceptional but fuel mpg went down, I should have went with 3.73 and would have been happy. As far as having the Cummins turning 3.73's in 3500, my opinion is the best route. Now as far as 4 wheels VS 6 wheels the difference is Day and Night. 4 Wheels pros Better Ride, 4 tires to replace, balance and rotate, 4 brakes to service, easier to park, storage box on both sides external fuel tank are available as are a larger OEM tank may be available. 4 wheel cons, less stable in Rain, Sleet, Snow, Wind, Snow Packed roads, less stopping distance VS 6 wheels. 6 Wheeled pro's , better stopping, more stable (Less lean). Any questions or comments? Post them as i'm sure there are many things I missed.