Ok, I'm no motorhead and am just getting into most of this stuff. Other than minor bolt on mods, such as exhaust and intake, I don't know much about trucks. How do I find out what gears my truck has installed to be sure (2002 ram 1500 4x4 quad cab with 4.7). If I wanted to swap, what should I go to 3.92, 4.10, etc. and why. Who should I have do it and what would be the approximate cost so I have an idea (should / can I get the dealer to do it for warranty purposes ?) I do tow ATV's from Jersey to Virginia frequently and want the power. I'd appreciate the help since a lot of you seem to be very knowledgable.
On another note, I have a 50 series flowmaster single in/ dual out going straight out the back and have made an intake. I looked around and decided I could make the same thing as most of the after markets for a lot cheaper (I used to be a mechanical designer so I'm not mechanically retarded lol). It's moving better but I want more. I will post a pic of it below (I have not yet made the heat shield or ram air channels but they are coming.) I am also planning on getting the Mopar HO intake manifold and cams as of right now, a lot of guys on dodgedakotas.com are saying that it is worth the money. Does anyone have any info to help me with this and / or any other suggestions on performance (other than a supercharger for right now.) Thanks a lot ... and to Ram MAn and Admin... great site!
:dunno: :drivingz:
Blue02
01-28-2003, 01:48 PM
It should say on your window sheet that was on the truck when you bought it. If you don't have it, I know mine has a 3.55 sticker on the front differential, you might check there. You have either 3.55 or 3.92. If you have 20in wheels you definitely have 3.92's.
I have 3.55 and have'nt towed anything yet but I will only be towing a tent trailer for now so it's no big deal. It would be nice to have 3.92 or 4.10 for towing 5000 or more I would guess.
NJRamFreak
01-28-2003, 09:51 PM
Thanks for the input... I'm trying to find my window sticker but don't know where I put it. I'll check the differential.
NJRamFreak
01-28-2003, 10:38 PM
Ok, I checked and I do have the 3.55 rear. I need suggestions on why I should go to the 3.92 or 4.10 and where to get it done ? Will the dealer do it to keep it under warranty ? Approximate cost with parts and labor ? etc.
sapper85
01-30-2003, 03:44 AM
You are aware that you cant just change one set of gears (rearend) and not change the front alxe to. They gears ratios have to be within one (1)% of each other. Otherwise you will start burning very expensive parts up.( Example, 4:11 up front 4:10's in the rear, i use that example cause thats what was in my jeep). Just want to make sure you aware of that, lot of people with 4wheel drives are not aware of that. Something else to consider, if you are gonna change one you gotta change the other to. JUst FYI.
sapper85
01-30-2003, 03:47 AM
Another thing, you dont really need to swap unless you are going to lift it and put on larger tires, well lifting isnt really required for the bigger tire thing, but when you got a larger tire you would want to change the gears to compensate for the larger tires, say if you went from a 31" tire to a 35" tire you more than likely notice a loss of low end take-off power so you would lower the gear ratios to compensate for that.
later
NJRamFreak
01-30-2003, 11:53 AM
Thanks for the info. I am planning on going to 35's & a lift eventually. I also want it becasue I do a lot of long distance / hilly towing. I talked to the dealer and they are getting me a parts list and a price for them to do it so it won't void my warranty. I am aware of having to change both gear sets. I'm also talking to a great mechanic I know and he is getting me a price. The only thing that is concerning me is the front rear. The dealer hasn't swapped the front rear on one of these yet and does't know if the seperate parts are avaiable or if I would have to buy an entire rear. Sounds like crap to me but we'll see what my buddy finds out. the only option for the 9.75" rear is the 3.55 or 3.92 so I guess for now, I'll have to be happy with getting the 3.92.
NJRamFreak
01-30-2003, 12:09 PM
Oops ... to correct myself, I have the 9.25" rear. "Axle-Rear, Corporate 9.25 LD"
RLW
01-30-2003, 12:17 PM
Locally I've been told around $1800-$2000 the gear change.
The dealer was "very" reluctant to even price the work, stating only that he wouldn't recommend doing so to that new of truck still under warranty.
I've owned two Dakotas that both had the same engine/transmission set-up, one with 3.92's and the 3.55.
The 3.92 got off the line a little quicker, the gears (5 spd) were spaced closer together, the top speed was lower and the average mpg was close to the same. I still took both into the same places (on and off-road), towed the same trailer (tent trailer) with the same load. I just drove each a little different.
I will admit I have a slight perference for 3.92 gears. If I were towing over 4,000lbs, running 35"+ tires, seriously steep rocking crawling (not taking a new truck there anyway), then I would be more worried about the lower gearing.
For me it's not that big an issue and at the time I got my '02 Ram it was a better deal with the truck on lot vs ordering.
You mentioned ATV's, if chain drive, 3.55 to 3.92 would be like roughly 4 teeth more on the back spocket. 3.92 or 4.10 equate to 2 more teeth added to that.
Quicker and better in some areas, but gear spacing too tight and 5-10mpg loss of top speed in other areas.
I have 3 front spockets for my bike depending on trail. I find I use the smallest only on planned really tight techincal trails, middle one 90% of the time and the larger hardly ever for high speed desert runs.
That's what I've experienced on Dodge gears, 3.92 good for quicker/tighter stuff or heavy pulling, 3.55 good for all around needing just slightly more finesse in the tougher areas and the 3.21 rarely used
NJRamFreak
01-31-2003, 07:26 AM
Great info. I talked to the dealer and he said they swap rears almost every day. I guess it's been a lot of two wheel drives on the new rams but constant on the older ones. (they are known to be a big dealer with a great 5 star service department.) He had a parts price very fast for me on the back rear, knew exactly what they were. I have to call him back since he was "trying to fin out" about the front rear. Thanks a lot for the comparison to atv's, it helped me understand a lot better.
