I've been reading on this forum that switching to the 4:10 gear is a good idea. My question is what is the easiest way to do this? Is best to find an axle with the 4:10 gears already in it and install that? Does anyone know what axles to get that would match my ram 1500 5.9 2001?Or Ihave found some gears online that I couldbuy for a reasonable price andmy uncle is a mechanic soit would beeasy for me tohave a mechanic install them but what do I look for whenI by thegears? do I just look for 4:10 or is there other specs I have to look at. Thanks for all your help. This forum is awesome.

 

if i had the choice, and could find axles with the 4.10s already in them, id go that route, IMO it would be much easier and less costly.

 

What do I need to look for when looking at axles as far as finding something that will bolt up easily?

 

the gears themselves are not overly expensive, about 260 for rear, 160 for front, plus another 125 each for the master install kit (bearings, etc). the labor to install then runs it on up. i'll bet your uncle or his buddies would teach you how to do it. for gears you just need to buy a set for your specific axle type.
your rear is probably 9.25 chrysler, 31 spline.
http://www.performanceoffroadcenter....;filter_id=571

your front is probably dana 44.
http://www.performanceoffroadcenter....;filter_id=562

i think your search for rear ends and front ends with 4.10's already installed will be a long and empty search as almost all these trucks came with 3.55 except the offroad edition.

 

The 9.25 rear axle all you need is to swap the ring and pinion on to the existing carrier. As for the front dana 44 you will have to change the carrier aswell. Im asuming you prbably hve 3.55 gears in it now. That carrier is only good for ratios up to 3.92 I believe.

 

They are 3:55. Is there any benifit to putting beffier axles on it? I've heard the 9.25 had problems. Also how can I tell for sure that it is a 9.25?

 

for absolutely positive id, match the cover shape and bolt count...
http://www.drivetrain.com/chrysler9.25.html
there also should be a label on the drivers side axle tube.

as far as problems, what do you want to do and how much money do you want to spend ?? its all related.
dana 60 is heavier duty, and came on the ram 2500. if you want to build a rock crawler, or a serious offroad vehicle, and/or a lot of horsepower, you'll probably want one of those.
if you just want to drive through some mud on the weekends, and don't want to spend lots of $$, and unless you just happened across a set of front and rear dana 60's from a 2500 for not a ton of money, your stock 9.25 will probably be just fine. there are millions of them out there.

more reading.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Maga...%2006/tech.htm
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205497
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/limit...ferentials.htm
http://www.binderbulletin.org/faq/1.htm#17

 

It's my dd but I have 285's on it and I won't a little more ommph. I don't tow much but done the line I would like to be able to tow heavier things. My father law just bought his truck and it was obivious that it had been pulling a 5th wheel. The axle bearings welded into the shaft which made it impossible to get it out. While I won't be towing a 5th wheel I would like to tow a bigger boat that I have my eye on.

 

I found 4:10 gears for the dana 44 on ebay for 20$ no kidding. They were brand new in box. I got really excited and almost bought them until I found out that I don't have the 3:55 gears. I have the 3:96 with the anti slip rear. Some of things that I have read says jumping one gear size isn't a big enough increase to justify all the work. What do you all think?

Just found something else out. If I have the 3:92 up front then I don't need to replace the carrier if I switch to a 4:10. Sweet that almost makes it worth it again.