I picked up my truck on Friday afternoon after getting 4.56 gears installed. My first reaction upon driving it was that I had wasted my money: I didn't feel much difference at all. As I started putting miles on the truck, though, as the gears got broken in, you could really start to feel a difference. It's like a whole new truck.
I drove it pretty easy this weekend, but even under light acceleration, it's a nice difference. It feels like the motor isn't working as hard, and it might be in my mind, but the trans feels like it's shifting easier.
The RPM difference is susbstantial on the highway. With the 3.55's, I was doing 2000 RPM at 70 MPH, now I'm doing 2000 at 50 MPH. The truck shifts into overdrive at around 40 mph now, instead of 50, which is really nice. I haven't gone through a full tank of gas to calculate my gas mileage, but I'm guessing I've lost 2 mpg on the highway, and maybe gained 1 around town/ in the city type of driving. I'll have to go through a few tanks and see how it is. With the 3.55's, I got 10-12 no matter how I drove it, though I'm generally easy on the truck.
So, I would definitly reccomend this mod to anyone who is considering it, if you have the money to spend on it. I think it was well worth it.
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2001 Ram 1500 ST QCSB 4x4, 5.2L, Auto,
4.56 Gears, 285/75/16 Cooper Discoverer A/T's
Dark Green (PG8)
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Congratulations! I know many of us are envious of your truck now. Would you mind giving a ball park number as to the cost? And what brand gears you bought? Thanks.
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1999 1500 4x4 Xcab SB 318 nv3500 hypertech PPIII
180 stat Champion Truckplugs 4071
Flowmaster 50 Magnaflow Cat
Nitto Terra Grappler 285/75 R16 Thuren track bar
Total cost was $1578.78, which also included a new axle joint on the driver side. They used Motive gears. The guy that did the installation preffered to use a new carrier, instead of the thick gear.
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2001 Ram 1500 ST QCSB 4x4, 5.2L, Auto,
4.56 Gears, 285/75/16 Cooper Discoverer A/T's
Dark Green (PG8)