Yeah, $1900 is pretty steep for re-gearing, although about in line with 4 Wheel Parts stores and with them it's hit & miss on whether you get a good tech or a kid that was selling Air Jordans last week doing your work.

My local 4x4 shop charges $600 per axle or at least did as of the last time I sent someone to him which was about a year and a half ago. This includes the ring/pinion, master install kit, labor and fluids. $75 more at 500 mile fluid drain/check and refill time. Sent about half a dozen people to him and I ain't heard a hint of a whine out of a single axle he's done.
To date, it's the only mod on my truck that I didn't do myself.

As for RPM's, I'm running 35s with 4.56s and tach 2050 at 70 mph, so at 75 I'd say 2100'ish.

gcburkett is pretty spot on as my effective ratio is just a hair over 4.10:1 with my size tires, which incidentally is the factory option on your 2500 and IMO the ONLY gearing a 2500 or MegaCab gasser should come with. CTD has the low end torque to get away with 3.73s on a 3/4 ton work truck, but not a gas engine...


Oh and Arctodus, flattery will get you nowhere, LOL...

I'm just older than most around here and have had seven full size 4x4 trucks so I've installed most of the more common mods, most of them more than a time or two...

 

Thanks Hammer.

I called the gear guy this morning, waiting to hear back. The $1950 was for my 08 Chevy so hopefully it'll be less for the 04' solid axle Dodge.

But yes, while its a little steep, this is all they do. From little trucks to big commercial trucks. Nothing but gears. So I dont have to worry about some kid that was at foot locker last week and this week is my gear tech!!! Believe me, that crossed my mind!!!

I read that the 04' 2500 gasser came with either 3:73 or 4.10 and given the way it drove I assumed 4:10 but I was pretty bummed when I called the dealer and gave them the VIN and they said 3:73.

Would a Dodge dealer be able to program my shift points and speedo based on tire size? If so what ridiculousness would they charge me for a quick tune like that?
I assume its Dodge dealer specific and my buddy with his $5,000 Mac or snap-on computer tuner programmer diagnostic thing wouldnt be able to do it at his garage?

 

Well that's a good thing that it has 3.73's, that way you'll feel like you have that much more power when you re-gear to 4.56's.

 

Whelp.....picking it up in like an hour. PLUS....just got my taxes today so I have cash in hand now for an immediate gear change

and yes I cant wait to feel the difference between 3:73 and 4:56!!

will post up a pic when I get it home.

 

Hurry Up will ya?!?!

 

Sorry just tried. Sun has gone down and any pics I try doesnt do the truck justice. I'll get one though.

 

There's something to be said for paying more at a GOOD shop. Gears are a b*tch to set and for some reason AAM axles are the hardest to shim just right. Many people complain of gear whine (and then being told by the installer that it's NORMAL with aftermarket gears). Gear whine means the pinion angle is OFF and there is an abnormal pattern being worn into the gears. This could culminate in an axle failure.

I'd rather pay even a couple hundred more and have the peace of mind that my gears were set right. This mod is ALL about the install...

 

I completely agree. Just waiting on two quotes from reputable shops then going to get it in asap. Now I just gotta find a nice muffler to replace the factory one so I can hear the friggin thing. Seeing as it doesnt have the MDS I thought of going straight pipe as I would on a GM but I dunno if I dare go no muffler with the hemi. I'm afraid it'll be too obnoxious.

 

I've had two Z71s and ran dual to an "H" pipe before two Cherry Bomb glasspacks on both of them, even made the impotent 5.3 V8 sound mean...

 

The first place I checked out, the guy said that "for some reason", the Chrysler 9.25 axle "doesn't like" 4.56s and they whine. That statement alone made me go somewhere else.