My 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 (5.2, auto) came stock with 245/75/16" tires and 3.55 gears. First time I put new tires on it I went up to 265 tires. Now with almost 200,000 miles (198,500) I just put new 285/75/16" and 16x8" Dick Cepek tires and wheels on it (FC II tires and Torque rims). It drove a bit like a dog with the factory gears and 285 tires, which I expected and anticipated changing the gears to 4.10 soon afterwards. I'd been turning the OD off every time I drove it with the 285 tires. As an aside, years ago I had a True-Trac installed in the rear, and planned on having one installed in the front when I did the gear change.

The engine is all stock except for a programmer http://www.hemifevertuning.com/Dodge...p_ECM_s/33.htm. Truck has a 2" lift (Skyjacker 2" coils up front and Trail Master R1530 2" long leaf add-a-leafs in the rear).

Well tonight I drove it home from the shop with the new 4.10 gears (and True-Trac up front). What a difference! Now I can step on the gas while in overdrive and it actually responds. It always seemed like it had a pretty steep overdrive, so I'm glad I went with the 4.10 gears. It's still just a little over 2000 RPMs even at above highway posted limits.

My wife following me home from the shop said her car said 70 mph but my truck was saying 80. So I'll be contacting these guys http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...n_______va.htm to get the correct tooth count speedo gear to correct for the tire size and gear ratio.

Anybody out there need a front and rear 3.55 Ring and pinion set and carrier for the front diff? Heck; I've still got the rear carrier somewhere in the garage (in a sealed box) if anybody wants them. Too heavy to ship, but if you're near Clarksville TN I'll give them to you for free if you come pick them up.

 

70MPH reads 92 on my truck, lol.

 

awesome.

time to get personal.
what brand gears and install kits did you get?
how much for parts?
how much for labor?

 

^Yes. That.

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Welcome and awesome of you to share your positive experience with the changes. I ran a set of 33s in those FCIIs for up to 50K miles. Loved them tires in Colorado. I hope you get similar good experience with them, just rotate like should.

With regards to the true-trac in the front, would you kindly share your experience in the following thread as he is looking at choosing it over an elocker.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...rse-gears.html

Also, you are 96 so I think you have OBDII. If you do, you can get a cheaper tuner such as the Superchips to adjust tire size for calibrating your speedo.

 

Glad to hear you like it man. When you drive it a bit post a review on the front true trac if you don't mind. I'm currently debating buying one for my front so I would definately be interested in reading a review of one in a 2nd gen.

EDIT: I see Wh1t3Nukle beat me to it, thanks man!

 

96 PCM won't adjust for gears/tire changes. Fortunately, the VSS is gear driven, and simply changing the gear is all you need to do. They run around 30 bucks or so.

 

Well too bad for you people then. Here's a good thread for it in any case.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-sizes-2.html

 

I'm also interested in more details regarding where you picked up your replacement 4.10 ring and pinions. I'm thinking about doing this gear swap, too. I'd need gears for Dana 60s, front and rear.

Have you driven the truck enough to get a feel on how its affected your gas mileage?

 

Heres what you need. http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-46.htm
According to the chart, you need the 35T speedo gear.
Both the same gears are used with the jeeps and the 46re dodge trans. I used this chart to match my speedo with 4.56 gears and 37s and it came out perfectly. THe higher tooth count from your 28 tooth to the 35tooth slows the speedo down.