I have a 96 dodge ram 318 4x4 with factory gears and an automatic trans. I am currently running 285/75r16. I am having little power after reaching overdrive and pulling a boat is terrible. I want to put a set of gears in but I am tossed between 3.92 and 4.11. I have noticed used gears on the forum. Is it worth it or would I be wasting my money getting used gears? I do allot of highway driving.

 

4.11 man

 

4.56 go big or go home

 

As bas-ackwards as it sounds, lower gears have improved my economy, and lord knows made life on the tranny easier..

A vacuum gauge has confirmed that the truck stays out of high load situations better than with higher gears.. that means the engine is operating cleaner, and not dumping fuel it isn't burning to a heavier degree... Which means the rpms are justified.. plus, more power to the Terra plain and simple..

Anything above 4.88 may be overkill, but under that? The higher the better.. I run 4.56:1, but I've often thought somewhere around 4.3:1 (if they were made) would be better for me, but that is solely because I do hwy a lot, and live in the flat lands..

Used? That's another question all together.. be careful, and get a look at those R&P's before you drop the $$..

 

4x4
You'll need two sets of gears, or never shift into four wheel.
Still worth it with double the hassle and double the expense?

 

More than double the expense, unfortunately. The Dana 44 front axle is a little bit more of a pain to change gears on than the rear Chrysler 9.25.

I have been quoted, repeatedly by different shops, about $300-$400 in labor to change gears in the rear axle. I have been quoted, repeatedly by different shops, approximately $600-$700 in the front axle.

Don't forget master install kits. About $300-ish there.

 

Thanks for the help. I need to change the gears soon. I think I may go with 4.11 do to the fact that 90% of my driving is hwy. Any ideas on USA Standard gears? I know I would rather have Yukon but that is a big price difference. Will I run into noiser gears if I go with something like USA, I plan on doing this task myself and could use all the help I can get. I have also looked for a video but I was unable to find one. I am building this truck with my own two hands and refuse to put it in a shop.

 

I forgot to mention, I have a fairly new transmission with approx. 6000 miles on it and I plan on slapping a set of heads and cam on it soon. I want to illiminate the stress that the added horse power will cause on both the tranny and transfer. I dont run the truck very hard but I do like to have alittle fun from time to time.

 

Always new, especially with important parts like this. You can never be sure how much wear and tear are on used gears.

 

Checkout Motive Gear. I've had a set of their 4.10 in my truck for going on 7 years now with absolutely no trouble. I got a deal with the front back and 2 master install kits.