My 99 ram 1500 currently has 3.55 gears with 33" tires. At 117,000 miles my trans burnt up and I'm positive the oversize tires and inadequate gearing played a large role into that. I plan on getting new rims and tires next year and stepping up to 35" tires. That being said I want to regear first.

I'm not sure whether or not I should regear to 4.10 or 4.56. I do a combination of highway and city driving with 70% being highway. I do occasionally hook up to a trailer. I don't want single digit fuel mileage. So what gears should I get?

Also do I need a new carrier for my Dana 44 front axle or can I just put the new gears on my existing carrier? Where is the best and least expensive place to order gears from for these trucks?

 

I have 4.56 in my ex cab and sometimes pulling my car trailer it needs more gear ! It will save the trans for sure !

 

For you, 4.10's would probably be best..... Just get thick cut gears for the front, and you can re-use the carrier. (although, it's a golden opportunity to upgrade. )

 

^X2


.......l

 

What is your cruising speed on the freeway? I went to 4.10s last year with stock tire size and it is perfect, should have come with 4.10s from factory. Truck can actually climb a hill now without downshifting and pulls trailers way better. At 60mph I'm at 1850rpm, 65mph 2000rpm, 70mph is 2200, 75mph is 2350rpm. Since you have 33s I'd recommend at least 4.56 gears.

 

What does regearing a truck consist of?

 

both front and rear diff has to come all the way apart then install the gears,bearings,races and set it all up !If you don't know what you are doing because setup is criticle for the gears and bearings to last find somebody or shop that can !

 

What kind of upgrade are you talking? Posi carrier in the front axle? When I do the gear change in replacing the open rear carrier with a factory limited slip I've already got rebuilt sitting on my shelf.


Back and fourth to work I typically cruise around 60. Once I get onto the major highways I keep it around 70-75



When I had my 97 ram it had 3.55 gears and 245/75/16 tires. That original transmission is still going strong with over 300k on it. And it tows all the time! Would 4.56 gears and 35" tires be a similar ratio to the 245s and 3.55s?

 

Some flavor of LSD, or selectable locker would be fun. Makes off-roading more fun too. You can get deeper into the bush before you get stuck.

 

+1 with 3.55 these trucks are undergeared from the factory. Even with 33's I would go 4.56 at least if not 4.88. With 35's and a stock motor definately 4.56 minimum. I went 4.56 and wish I had went 4.88 (however, 4.88 gearsets were very scarce at the time - not sure if that has changed)