I'm seriously thinking of going to 4.10 gears from stock 3.55s and I'd like to see how it feels driving city and highway before I do it.

I have stock tire size and plan on keeping it that way.
I hate that my truck can't climb hills on the highway at 60mph cause the rpm is at 1500, thinking the regear would help a lot.
By my math, my tach bumps up 400 rpm by going to 4.10s.

Anybody in WA have a truck with equivilent tire gear ratio that I could test drive before spending big bucks to regear?

Also I was warned by my transmission guy that using non OEM gears would cause a harmonic hum sound above 40mph, is this true?

 

I'm on the opposite side of the country, and still have stock gears...... so, no help at all there, ....

But, changing gears won't induce any new noises, IF they are properly set up.

 

Well, I'm in Everett but I can't help either: 318 w/ 5spd. But with all those fancy mods you have, I am surprised you are having lack of power. Especially with the 5.9.

Not to sound insulting, but maybe there's some simple maintenance issue you can resolve first? For instance, I just threw in a new PCV valve yesterday and it seemed to climb a stretch of a 4miles 400ft on I-5 better. Still testing out this theory, but I have a standard commute that I can gauge. Maybe time for plugs, wires, filter, etc?

But 1500rpm is pretty dull in these engines. Mine does much better closer to 2k. Driving at 70 is more comfortable than 60. Maybe test your theory by locking out OD in the tow haul mode and see how it does? Probably give you an idea at least of what some more RPM will yield.

 

I live in Des Moines. Running the factory 4.10's or 4.11's or whatever they are. Give me apm holler.

Randy's Ring & Pinion is in Everett. They have a good reputation.

 

I have to always remember there are two Des Moines: I grew up in MN and there is Des Moines, IA and now there's Des Moines, WA except here they pronounce it 'Merican with the "S" whereas in Iowa, it is still "Deh Moyn" (French) with silent "s".

I didn't realize Randy's is here in my backyard! Do you mean THE Randy's that the whole world has talked about all these years and used for anything off-road?!?!!?!

 

Right there on Airport Road.

 

Thanks for that input HeyYou

 

Well it's not a maintenance issue, motor runs good, just seems like the motor not in the correct rpm range at 60mph to have any power on our NW hills. mine does better at 70mph too. Overdrive off does help but I just don't like where my rpms are at with overdrive on. I rarely drive any faster than 65mph and the rpms are just too low with OD on.
All my mods probly add about 30hp at 4000rpm, at 1500 rpm it probly adds about 5hp gain.

Thanks for your advice.

 

SWEEEEEEEEEEET

Man, we got Redhead out here and Randy's.....Google....Apple.....Micro-- oh, wait.

 

And costco, and oberto, and amazon...