2003 Hemi Ram 1500 QC 4x4 with the dreaded 3.92 LSD that I use to pull a 24' TT and sometimes a dirt bike trailer. Very little off-roading other than to get the bikes somewhere, and snow a couple times a year.

A few years ago the dealer screwed up the clip replacement job by putting dino-grease in it and I baked the rear-end towing the camper through the mountains of WVA. Have had numerous bearing, seal and yoke related failures since, all taken care of by the dealer, but I just can't trust the rear-end anymore. Besides that, it still has the corporate LSD in it so that is a ticking time-bomb all by itself.

Plan is to take it to a local 4x4 shop that does a lot of rear-end work and have them go over everything as well as swap out the POS LSD with an aftermarket unit. I am leaning toward the Auburn as it seems to be the best combination of cost vs. quality for what I plan to use it for, but am very interested in any opinions here, especially as it relates to towing. I have search this site but most feedback involves off-roading traction. BTW, my black-top driveway is 250' and is STEEP so when it is wet pulling trailers up it is scary! A locker would be cool for that I guess, any thoughts on towing with a lunch-box locker like the Powertrax?

Thanks!!!!

 

From what I've read, your best option in my opinion will be getting these in conjunction with one of these. Certainly a little costly but the most benefit.

 

or you could grab a 10.5" AAM as found on the 2500's, slap some tall gears in it. but then youd have 8 lug bolt pattern in the rear. it wouldnt give you any extra towing capacity, but it is one helluva solid rear end.

 

If you are concerned about traction, a Powertrax LockRite will work. I've had one installed for about 18 months. It does drive different in fresh snow, and around corners, but not hard to get used to. I do hear the click clack around tight corners, but really don't pay it any mind. I did the install myself in the driveway. As for towing, I've only towed a Uhaul trailer once in town, but will be towing the wife's car from Layton UT to Wichita Falls TX later this summer.

 

4.56 are without a doubt the best towing gears. as already stated, may as well throw in a quality limited slip (NOT a locker) since the install will be free if they're doing the gears anyway. Auburn and Detroit TruTrac are the top two choices. There is an explanation about lsd's in the FAQ section

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...p-defined.html


https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...nsmission.html

 

Thanks for the replies folks! I'm not planning to change the ratio, it pulls what I need it to pull fine and the temp gauge on the tranny stays waaaay south of the red. Just looking to get rid of that crap LSD and get the rear end really looked at before it strands me again. Since it represents a significant investment considering the truck's age, I just want to make the right choice value-wise.

 

If you've gotta change them anyway, you'd be silly not to get a higher gear ratio... at least 4.10. You'll get better city mileage and about the same highway. Better towing mpgs too. Value-wise, the Auburn is your best choice in LSD