The 2500 has a full floating 9 3/4" Dana 60 axle and it's offered in 3.73. Mine has 3.55's with 20's it can struggle going up steep hills. When these tires wear out I'm going with a shorter tire like a 275/55-20 instead of the stock 275/60-20.

 

I have to say buying a new truck will probably end up costing more and dodges have always been know for lacking drive trains the hemi is one of the most powerful engines but is still slower due to the drive train but some 4.56's should help out a lot cant wait to get enough to do the swap

 

Yeah on the 2500's, its a 3.73 or a 4.10 or a 4.56 with the Power Wagon.

To solve your problem with your '03...you dont need to buy a new truck unless you have some high mileage or you just want the new car smell. Just get a 4.56 axle package done and it will solve your problem. 3.73 to 4.10 isnt that big of a jump but to a 4.56 you will notice it

 

Thanks for everyone's help and advice so far! I would much rather just be able to swap out the back end as long as there's a reliable shop around. Even though swapping out the gears can run into some money, doing that is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new truck :-)

 

Using 2nd gear is cheaper than an axle/gear swap.

Although, I've thought about going from 3.92 to 4.56 myself. For the amount of towing I do (6 or so times per year), I'm not too worried about it though.

 

How badly would switching from 3.92s to 4.56s affect gas mileage? How much would it increase towing capacity?

 

I know that with looking at Dodge's information increasing from a 3.73 to a 4.10 increases towing capacity by 2000 pounds. It also shows a similar increase going from a 3.73 to a 4.56.

It is a little frustrating that Dodge has the best looking truck IMO but yet the truck struggles with towing (unless you switch to a different gear ratio) unlike some people I know who have a Chevrolet or GMC and have no problem with a similar setup as mine. I looked at a Chevrolet recently and even though the redesign they did a couple of years ago makes it look a little better, I still don't like the interior look very much.

But from what I hear on this board, it makes the most sense to continue looking for a good shop that can change things out especially if the 4.10 will only help minimally. Knowing about using 2nd gear is definitely helpful until I can find a place to swap things out but I know that won't be anything more than a temporary solution (especially with the wife :-)). I just wish this part of Ohio that I live in didn't see to be a "hole" when it comes to finding someone to do this kind of type of stuff :-)

 

Not sure if I'm reading this right but unless you’re going to disconnect the front shaft, you have to replace both gears front and back. And I agree with all that say go with the 4.56. Especially if you have larger than stock tires.

Good luck!

 

Going from 3.92s to 4.56s in a 1500 would increase towing capacity by 1000 lbs. The increase is greater in a 2500 but I'm not sure by how much, so to err on the lesser side, say it's AT LEAST a half ton.
Gas mileage on such a change usually increases MPGs by about a 1 or 2 in town and decreases it by about the same on the highway after about 70 mph speeds or so. However, when towing, especially heavier loads, most report an increase in highway mileage also, simply because the transmission is not constantly changing gears causing higher engine revs. Speaking of which, even if it does cost you a mpg on the highway, the wear and tear saving on that transmission would be worth it.
Because of it's inherent torque and hauling advantages, only a CTD would be a decent tow vehicle with the stock 3.73 gears...

 

are you sure about that one? I always thought the 2500 gassers had the 10.5 rear, and the diesels had the 11.5. who knows maybe i was wrong, its not impossible.