OK - as if you couldn't tell, i have a question regarding gears. I'm looking to buy the following in the near future:

'98-01 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Shortbed w/ 5.9L V8

Now, i know it's a truck, and i shouldnt be worried about gas mileage because all trucks suck gas, but i really wouldnt mind saving as much as i can while driving it. So, my question is, should i look for a truck with 3.55 gears? (i beleive my only two options are 3.55's or 4.10's). i've got a friend who has a '97 5.9 V8 with 4.10's, and he get's about 12mpg (his truck also goes NOWHERE when you press the gas - all you hear is the roar of the engine).

I'm wondering how much better it would be if i had the 3.55 gears, rather than the 4.10's? yes, i'm interested in pulling a trailer with a jeep on it, but only a couple times a year. My thoughts are to look for a truck with the higher gears (3.55's), then i'd get a hair better gas mileage for daily driving. BUT, my fear is, i'll probably fall in love with a truck with the 4.10's, since all the ones i've looked at thus far have 4.10's. (are 3.55's rare on 3/4 ton trucks?).

Well - if anyone wants to chime in, and give me their 2 cents worth, i'd be very interested in your thoughts! thank you!

YB

 

I have a 2000 1500 4X4 with 3.55s and I really wish I had 4.10s or 4.56s. My truck has no take off power. I am running 33s for tires instead of the stockers though. Not a huge difference but definetly enough to notice.

 

maybe i should just find a truck that i like, that serves my purpose, and whatever it has, i stick with. i do plan to up the tire size a bit (not too extreme), and install a cold air intake eventually. that would help with mileage (intake) - or else i should just stop thinking about mileage completely, and just worry about finding a bitchin truck instead! LOL!

YB

 

Yea, if your going to up your tire size you'll wish you had 4.10's, especially if your going to tow much.

 

4.10's... shouldnt even give it a 2nd thought.

 

First I don't think you will find a 2500 with with 3:55's,got them in my truck and tow a 24' 5th wheel. Does ok but dogs on long inclines. I do remember the 2500's with the tow pack when I bought this had 3:75's or something like that. For the type of towing your talking about I think thats your best combo for performance and mileage. Unless of course your also gonna run over sized (33" or up) wheels and tires then the 4:10's are what you'll want.

 

4.10's all the way... and bitchin is the only way to go!

 

I just bought a 97 dodge ram with 38's with the 318 it says its suppose to have the 3.55 gears how would you find out if they changed the gears because I have plenty of power with the 38's I can spin them all day long on dry pavement. It also has a set of headers and exhaust.

 

hell... dunno...good question... i geuss tear apart the rear and see if its stamped on the gears... best guess..lotta work

 

You can spin 38's?! GAH!!! Theres something so wrong with my truck I can't spin factory 285's with 3.92 gears!!! I have a 318 too! [:@]