I was just wondering how difficult it is to change the crown wheel and pinion on a 2000 Dakota with the 9.25 axles, I say axles as its 4x4. I would rate myself as a competent home mechanic! The rear looks pretty straight forward but its the front that looks like it could be difficult. Can it done with the diff staying in place?
I've currently got 3.55's and whilst its nice on the highway, I'm thinking of buying a 5th wheel caravan and think it would really benefit from some lower gearing, 3.95's or maybe 4.10's? I'd love to restore the overall gearing in top by doing the 45RFE to 545RFE mod on the TCM but I don't think its possible on my year, unless anyone knows different. Apparantly, if you can get the 5th gear working, it would have the same overall gearing in top with 4.10's as a 4-speed with 3.55's.

Any info would be most welcome.

Paul.

 

Can't belive nobody's done this!

 

there's a reason no one's done it. it costs alot of money since you have a 4x4 and its a big pain in the ***.

 

I see from your signiture that you're planing to put in 4.10's. I'm guessing you've got 2 wheel drive? Let us know how you get on.

 

that 4.7 should be fine with those 3.55 rears, the only reason why its a pain in the *** to do the gear swap on the 4x4's is you cant do a shotgun swap, or in other words, swap out the ring and pinion with the axle still sitting in the truck on the front end, not enough room as it looks like down there. yeah it's doable but its time consuming if you've never done differentials before. for a driveway mechanic like yourself, throw on an intake and a cat back exhaust system, and leave overdrive off when towing, you should be fine. thats my .02¢,

it also depends on your truck's GVRW rating according to your engine and gear combination. look on your door frame, the production sticker should be there with all your weight values.

 

Well, here's the Case. The front is the Pain, also, if it's your first time Id suggest doing it on a work bench. I am re-gearing two dana 60's. First time, but I am doing it in an open garage not under the truck. Reason is it's a Pain to do. Also, it's a lot easier looking down at something than from the side while laying on your back. If you have a lift, maybe. The front though, do a diff drop.

 

Thanks for all the useful advice. As I thought, its the front diff that will be the problem.
The 4.7 pulls my current caravan (2200 pounds) very well but I've been looking at some in the region of 6500 pounds and thought the 3.92 or 4.10's would take the load of the rest of the transmission system.
I've done ALL usual the engine mods, including cams so I've gone as far as I can go in that dept. Looks like I'll be sticking with the 3.55's!

 

just make sure you put a nice big transmission cooler on that beast, cooler transmission temps = longevity and better performance

 

Mine has the factory towing package which I believe has the uprated/extra transmission cooler, so it should be fine.

 

Not sure exactly what you have but im pretty sure it's not an aux cooler. The cooler you have it meshed with the coolant Thats how mine was. The aux coolers are stand alone without any sort of help.