I know this has been asked alot. And I am sorry for bringing it up again. I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab with the 5.7 and 3.73 gears. I can say that I am disappointed in this truck. I have got stuck in my backyard 2 times now, once trying to pull my camper out of the yard and now trying to pull a old Range Rover out on a dolly. Yes, the yard to soaked from rain. But I never had these problems with my 2004 Dakota with the 4.7L and it had the 3.92 Ratio in it. And I am not saying that is the cause of getting stuck. But, my question is this, looking at the Dodge Towing Guide the 2006 Mega Cab 1500 had 2 Axle Ratios the 3.73 and the 4.10. What all would it take for me to swap these out? I am just trying to figure out away to improve towing instead of getting rid of the truck and going with a 2500 Cummings. I already use the Tow option bby pressing the O/D Button.

 

Changing gears is not gonna keep you from getting stuck! Do you have a limited slip differential in the back? If not, getting one installed int the back might help you out. But the most important thing that helps you get traction is TIRES! Get some good A/T tires on that thing and that will help you alot! As far as gears go.......don't even think about 4.10. Got 4.56 and don't look back. I just had 4.56 installed in mine with a Eaton tru-trac and it cost me $2200!! That's a lot of cash for 1 mod.

 

I agree that the 3.73 gears aren't the reason you are getting stuck, it's likely the tires, and/or a lack of a limited slip differential. Also note that the Dakota is about half of the weight of a Ram 1500....

but a 2500 Cummins will put one hell of a smile on your face.

 

^ and sink that much quicker in the wet soil

 

Yup yup!

 

LOL. and yes I know changing the gears is not going to help getting stuck. The main reason I want to change the gears is that I loss alot of speed when pulling my camper through the mtns. I have brand new Firestone Destination A/T tires on it. They have like 200 miles on them right now. Thats why I am so disappointed. I don't think it has a LSD. I will have to look into that. I had to call the dealer to find out what ratio I had since there is no Equipment ID sticker anywhere. But I figured that it had the lower ratio because the way it tows. So I will call the dealer again to have them run the vin to see about LSD. I know a LSD for my Srt4 isnt cheap so I can only imagine what the one for the truck will cost.

 

Hell I dont even to be in the Mtns to lose speed. Just about any good size hill I loss alot of speed.

 

Yep, I've posted many, many times that I think 3.73 shouldn't even be offered in a MegaCab gasser. That's a crazy heavy truck. Add an engine that despite very respectable HP and TQ numbers, it doesn't start making the power curve until around 2000 rpm so it needs gearing to get you into and keep you in that power band.

If you're gonna spend to change ring & pinions, screw the 4.10s and go straight to 4.56s and add a good quality LSD and your problems will be over...

 

How much weight are you pulling? On whatever gear gets you in the 2500-3000rpm range with your tires/gearing, you should be able to pull a decent load up normal highway grades. The hemi just starts getting into some real power at that point.

 

Does Dodge offer a LSD for the truck? Or is it all aftermarket? If all aftermarket what is a good brand? Keep in mind I do not DD this truck. It is used for towing the camper and weekend vehicle. my SRT4 is my DD.