ok right now im running a 285/70/17 nitto trail grappler mud grip tire on my Dakota. ive got the 5.9 its a 4x4, 3'' suspension lift and it has 3.55 gears. I was debating on switching to a 4.10 gear to give me a little better towing advantage, but was wondering if dropping down to a 265/70/17 would make it easier and still look good with my lift? just looking for some opinions. if I do do the 4.10 swap I will install a rear locker. and if anyone has some prices on doing the front and rear gear swap I would appreciate it.

 

265/70/16's were available from the factory so you will be running a size bigger rim so it wont be much different. The 5.9 shouldnt have any problem running 31's. Remember the 5.9's came in the ram 2500-3500's and they did ok moving them around.

 

It would definitely be easier to switch to the 265s, but it won't give you nearly the improvement in power that a switch to 4.10 gears will.

If you buy all new parts and have a shop do the labor for the gears, you're probably looking at $1500 or so, depending on what locker you want.

What year is your truck and which rear end do you have?

 

itsa 2000 quad cab. if I did the gear swap me and a buddy would do it in his garage, hes done several of them in chevys so it shouldn't be a problem. its got the big rear end the 9.25 I believe it is. correct me if im wrong but I think all 5.9 Dakotas came with the 9.25

 

If you're doing the labor, it's just a matter of pricing the locker, gears, and install kits you want. I'm kind of partial to Randy's Ring and Pinion myself.

And, to be honest, I have no idea which trucks came with which rear axles. You may very well be correct.

 

I am pretty sure I heard all quad 4.7 and higher got the 9.25

Don't shoot me if it is not correct, my memory may not be as perfect as it once was.

Another opinion, I think the 285 set up (32.7" tall) will look much better with your 3" lift than the 265 set up (31.6" tall). Never mind the performance at this small difference, it's about filing out the wheel wells, IMHO.

Good luck!

 

yea, the girls dig the big mud tires. think im just gonna fork out the money for 4.10s. tom a, do you have a link to your Dakota build?

 

It's in the forum somewhere. Try searching for "my sas thread" and it should come up. I just tried to find it with my phone, but it isn't working too well.

 

thanks!

 

No problem. I apologize in advance for it not being a great write-up. But it should give you a good idea.

*EDIT*
Here's the link: My SAS thread