as far as i can tell, there is zero argument taking place... we're saying the same thing from different vantages..

the take away is:

lower (higher numerically) overall drive ratio is advantageous for these trucks for many reasons, and is in essence the only real 'fix' to a bad pairing of engine/transmission/purpose/weight.

lower gears increase overall drive ratio by increasing leverage.. that increases torque to the terra, which reduces strain on transmissions and reduces engine stress by keeping the engine in the more suitable engine speed range.

we buy trucks that are close to what we need, and hope they will suffice for our purposes.. Dodge builds trucks based on customer expectations compromised with production costs and mandated expectations of laws/guidelines.

If you wanted to build the perfect truck for your purposes, which many of us here are trying to do with what we already have- you would identify purpose first, and then look at expected torque to the terra, engine speed/economy/load.. that entails a purpose built engine in the range you need it operating, cam selected for that, air intake and exhaust to complement the build- then pair it to a transmission with ratio's and number of drive ranges, then pair it to drive train and axles, with an eye on tire size which has maybe the less obvious impact on overall drive ratio in the range you will most use your truck..

by that reasoning, we'd all have three or four trucks for use depending on our needs..

there is but one way to address that- and I really wish they would.. multi-speed axles.. I wish like hell there was a selectable ratio axle available for our rigs.. I also wish if there was I could afford it..

world isn't perfect- we compromise.. gears are likely the best band-aid we have..

 

A gear-splitter, or aux trans between the trans and t-case would work too.... but, would require custom driveshafts..... I had considered this at one point, but, it ain't cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

I haven't see a "Light Duty" truck with multi-speed axles.... I agree though, it would be cool, but, having to do both axles would probably be expensive as well. Perhaps more than just something like the gear splitter.....

 

I've heard it can cost around $1200 or more per axle to do it correctly. Is this true? My truck has 35s with 4.10s and I don't like it. Plan on going to 33 when time for rubber since the only benefit for 35s for me is not feeling the thousands of pot holes around my town lol I just don't know if they will look too small with a 3" lift. The 35s fit well but I'll sacrifice looks for better driving conditions

 

So I dinked around town for thirty miles and really like the results. I noticed 13.5 MPG with WOT bursts and a ten mile run in 4x4 as a test. I'll need more miles to really tell but I'm pleased. She jumps out of her sneakers and will cherp the tires from a dead stop. Very happy, very good mod.

I paid $1,750 but had to have seals and the 4x4 accuator replaced.

 

parts and labor shouldn't be much more than that for BOTH axles. (12-1600 for the whole job) Parts are around 500 or so, if you just do gears....... labor is what beats the crap out of your wallet mercilessly......

 

That price is reasonable. I thought it was double that. Thanks for reporting your results. Very helpful

 

I had my rear diff rebuild along with my factory LSD unit (limited slip differential) for under 650 with the price of the parts including buying the yukon master install kit on ebay and lsd clutchpack rebuild kit....

damn pinion seal appears to be leaking again though...

 

OK, the new gears have 2,500 miles on them, well the rear does. I ran a 350 mile highway trip and picked up about 1 MPG; I'm at a solid 15.5 MPG at 70MPH (2,250 RPM) with cruise on. She never dropes out of over drive. Around town I see mixed MPG results. I ran dirt roads to break in the Dana 44 in 4x4, about 50 miles with another 100 of city driving. I got 11 PMG, down from my normal 12 but I ran 4x4 1/3 of the time. When I run city with some 55MPH back roads I get 13-14 which is up from the 12 I used to get. I catch myself driving what feels comfortable, or should I say familiar. I catch myself driving the RPM speed of the road from the 3.55's versus the real (higher) speed limit. All in all, milage went up but I have not towed yet, holding off until I drop the 9.25 fluid this week. Very pleased with this gear choice.

 

I wish I could get 15.
I am stuck at 13 for the moment.

 

I recently swapped injectors and hadnt noticed any mpg changes so I cheated and rotated my distributer just a bit to "retard" the fuel sync... (keep in mind I am replacing the whole distributor in the near future and will have it calibrated with the right equipment then, it does seem more responsive to throttle now... plus I'm having another set of 703 injectors sent to me since further testing revealed I had a bad one which leaked like a pig and caused my testing issues... the 713 injectors I'm running now run rough on startup and seem to have slight surging effect since installation about 400 miles ago

Anyway I just drove 160miles with the truck loaded up with a passenger,camping gear , wood and a 16ft canoe strapped to the roof for a local Regatta and I used less than half a tank of gas!
mostly highway miles but its looking like I may have hit 15mpg!! very excited so far...
last thing that may or may not have had some effect is I did replace the 180 stat with 195 one (I know I know)