I just recently traded in my 02 dakota 3.9 v6 for the 3.7 1500 quad cab because my family expanded.... the dakota was my baby ... original owner fast sporty truck... silver single cab and would do everything on the speedometer. Problem is the 3.7 v6 in the quad cab seems to lose momentum anythime I shift into 6th gear. 5th gear seems like it will take it to 120 mph but hitting 3k rpms at 80 makes me want to shift into 6th .... but the moment I do its like the motor at 2100 rpms just can't push that 3.21 rear end and the truck starts slowing down. I've looked the vin number up and everything is factory including the huge 21 inch dodge ram rims (im measured them). This truck has only been in my possession for a few days and I'm still confused as to why they made 6th gear basicly useless.

Any suggestions?

 

Moved your post to its own thread, and to the 3rd Gen Ram section, since it had little (other than the gear ratio) to do with Dakotas.

 

Well I'm just poking holes here but you can't have 21" wheels. OEM wheel sizes are 17" and 20" only. Also I didn't know they made the 3.7 in a QC or with a 3.21 rear end. But that just seems like a terrible combination of everything man. That beast is way too heavy for that V6 to handle and that rear end just makes it worse. I would say either re gear or sell it

 

Im guessing its the 20's on rims it just measured out closer to 21 with measuring tape. I crawled under the truck and plain as day its a 3.21 rear end. 1st - 5th are peppy as all get out but 80 mph first seem to like 6th gear. 60 rides ok at 2k rpms in 6th. 85 is ok at 2400 but 80 at 2100-2200 dogsthe motor.

 

With that combination I'm not surprised. You might consider installing some 3.92's at least if not 4.11's. Thats about the worst combo I've ever heard of. Let me guess---down hill, 50 mph wind at your back---------LOL, but a set of gears would REALLY help this conflagurated mess!

 

I feel your pain as I had a full size ram with a V6 once upon a time. Now mine had a 4spd auto and I want to say a 3.42 rear but I can't remember. Anyway, if you don't want to regear for $$$, maybe look at swapping your 20's for a set of stock 17's with the 245 rubber. It'll bring your effective gearing from 3.21 to 3.42 which will help some. Not knowing what sort of styling you have going on it might not be a good option but definately smaller overall diameter tires or gearing would be your best bet.