I am looking to buy an 08 3500 cummins dually with an automatic. In order to get the towing capacity I need, I need the 4.10 rear end. What is the VIN designator for that? I email the dealers, but they are mostly useless.

Thanks

 

The is not a number or letter in the VIN that will indicate that. You need the entire VIN and then get a dealer to pull up the build sheet that will tell what gears it has. The other way is to lift the rear and put the trans in N and count how many times you can spin the driveshaft to how many times the tires rotate. Another way is to drive it and go at a certain speed and use online calculators to see what gear it has.

 

There is a tag on the rear diff that should state what gears it has.

Yes, without a complete vin # for the parts guy to punch into the computer, they know jack and are almost always useless.

 

If I have the whole VIN number, is there a tool somewhere that I can enter the VIN and it will give me a build sheet, or do I need to go to a dealer to get that done?

 

HA!! Even WITH a complete VIN they are useless!! LOL

 

LSD and Gears are an option not located within the vin. It's just as Weed already described.
again, easiest way is to look at the tag on the diff cover, otherwise, you'll have to mark the driveshaft and count the revolutions to 1 tire rotation.

 

Well that sucks. Most of these trucks I am condidering buying are 200 miles away or more. Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

 

Whomever is selling the trucks should be able to find that info out for you. If they are so lazy or incompetant to not do so, then I wouldn't even consider buying from them.
I don't know if I would tell them what gears you are looking for because they may just lie and tell you what you want to hear. Most wouldn't now the difference anyways. To be absolutely certain, you should check them yourself before handing over money.

 

I'd look in the glove box. There is a white tag with that info on it . My 03 has it and lot of others have it . Not sure for the 08.

 

Here's what i found out..
All 3500 reg cab 6.25' beds have 3:73's while 8' beds have 4:10's.
All 3500 chassis cabs have 4:10's.

This info is for 2007+