I would like to tow a trailer and have a club Cab 1999 V8 5.2L 3.55.... Towing is about 5200lbs... if I can change the ratio to 3.92.. I can tow about 6200.... So has anybody changed theirs?? Is it possible and approx. what else needs to be changed beside the speedometer updated with the new ratio... and guesses on costs??

Thanks in advance,
Georege

 

To swap a ring/pinion and get it installed at a shop, expect to pay ~$500. The dealer should be able to reprogram the speedo/odo, don't know what they'd charge. Older vehicles it was a simple speedo cable gear swap but with electronics you gotta plug it in and change it.

 

the uped payload by putting a differant ratio in isnt the only thing you need to do, if your frame isnt strong enough you might need to brace it, ive watched people rip hitches off before, it isnt pretty, before towing 6200 lbs, make shure your frame and hitch can handle it

 

I HAVE A 95 EXTENDED CAB, 5.2L, 5 SPD. I.VE HAULED CARS ON A 16FT FLATBED WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I SAY CARS I MEAN 60'S & 70'S TANKS. (MY FREINDS DRIVE IN THE LOCAL DEMOLITION DERBYS). I ONCE HAULED MY DADS 3/4 TON GMC 4X4 ALMOST 150 MILES, NO PROBLEM. IT WOULD HELP TO GET A GOOD SET OF OVER LOAD OR HELPER SPRINGS THOUGH. THE REAR SPRINGS ARN'T HEAVY ENOUGH FOR HEAVIER LOADS. ALSO YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE IT SLOW WHEN TOWING AS DAKOTAS DON'T HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THE FULL SIZE TRUCKS AND TEND TO GET PUSHED AROUND BY THE TRAILER. ANYWAY , GOOD LUCK.

 

have the gears changed out is not a big deal.. most performance shops should be able to do it and there are several online catalog companies that sell gears for either the 8.25 or 9.25 rear axles.

you do not need to have anything done to your speedometer as your truck uses a tone ring that gets bolted under the ring gear on the carrier and leaves the ring gear out of the equation.