I have a 96 ram 3/4 ton 4x4 it has 3.5 gears in the dana rearend at least thats what it says on a sticker under hood are these gears high or low or in the middle??? I know zip about gears.

 

on the low side, thats what most came with stock, the off-road editions came with 4:10s and like mine has a rarer 3:92 stock. if you would put 4:10s in ur truck you would be like omfg! what gears basically do is help you get into the powerband faster and stay closer to it as you drive. higher gear ratio will make you run higher rpms at cruisin speeds also.

 

They are low numerically, as far as low end torque and grunt they are high.

 

congrats on having the 2500 with a dana 60 axle. it gives you lots of options including selectable lockers, etc.

i'd call a 3.55 gear a middle to high gear, meaning that it provides best gas mileage but sucks at towing or hauling loads or big tires.

i'd call a 4.10 - 4.56 a low gear. very good for towing or hauling or big tires.

4.88 would be super low, good for towing with big tires.

 

I would not be surprised if the OP has what they call the light duty 2500, and just has a d44 in front and the corporate 9 1/4 in the rear.

 

I thought they discontinued the light duty in 96?

 

Mine has a gvw of 8800 So I guess thats the heavy duty 2500?

 

Yep. That would be correct.

With Stock size tires, the 3.55s are ok, once you start going up in size though, they become a problem. Best bet is to figger out what size tire you want to end up with, and get the money together to re-gear for that size.

 

wow, they really made a 3/4 ton w/ 3.55's?

Where is the advantage in even having a 3/4 ton with that? I mean, it's beefier and all, and the frame would handle more tow while the suspension handle more load- but the dang thing would struggle mightily without either the engine (diesel) or gears (4.10) over what a 1/2 ton is rated for, right?

Man.. If I were buying a 3/4 or 1 ton gasser, there isn't any way I would consider it w/o at least 4.10:1's..

I had no clue they actually made 3/4 tons w/ 3.55's.. that's silly imo..

 

I agree, and it is a lot more prevalent than common sense would suggest. But hey, gotta keep those fuel economy numbers up........

Gears are in my future, one way or another.