Upgrade your torque converter. There is lots of drive train loss in the Ram, always has been. Typical is 15-18%, the Ram is closer to 20.

 

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The gear ratio wasn't at the top of my list of must haves. I had to have a CC 4x2 Sport with leather, Nav, and remote start.

I would like to "upgrade" to 3.92s when I find a truck that's been wrecked. I won't pay $1000 for just the gears installed, it's not that big of a difference.

 

long highway runs at 70 I have no problems getting 20+mpg. Average driving country roads gets me 17.5. 1/4 tank of towing the boat on the highway at 65, and the other half tank driving country roads empty gets me 16.something. 3.55 w/17". Best economy I've ever had comparing it to several 4.3 v6 chevy s10s, and a 4.6 f150. Plus I get the best driving experience. Never drove the old one, but I can say this 5.7 is a real winner.

 

Based on what you've said above, I would ABSOLUTELY get the 3.92s. That was one of the must haves for me. Remember, it also gives you the LSD (Limited Slip Differential). The LSD does not come standard with the 4X4 so you have to get the 3.92s to get it. It's only a $375 option from the factory and most people on here who didn't get the 3.92s or were unable to find a truck they wanted with them are looking to upgrade to that or even higher. The cost to do it after the fact is anywhere from $1200-$2000 depending on who you go to (that's an actual range of quotes from a friend of mine who was considering buying a truck without them and then upgrading..he held off and got one with the 3.92s).

You will notice a definite difference in off the line performance with the 3.92s and your fuel economy is largely unchanged which is why you don't see a different EPA sticker for those with 3.92s vs. 3.55s vs. 3.21s. Compared to 3.55s, you'll basically do a little less than 1MPG WORSE on the highway with 3.92s and a little less than 1MPG BETTER in the city. I have a 4X2 Laramie Crew with 3.92s and 20" Rims and I am averaging about 17.5MPG hand calcuated in mixed driving (about 60% HWY and 40% City).

Hope this helps.

Jason

 

Hey guys I would like to throw in a question in this discussion. I have the Hemi 4x2, CC, 20's w/ 3:21 gears, at 65 mph I am reading a hair above 1400 RPM's. Can you guys check your trucks and post your RPM's at 65 for the 3:55 and 3:92 gears? Just curious about the jump in RPM's at the same speeds. My EVIC is reading 14.7 mpg around town. I drive a 3.7 Jeep Commander at work and the EVIC reads 13's all day around town. I am happy with my mileage but would also like some more off line performance.

 

Right around 1600 at 65, 1750 at 70, 1850 at 75, 2000 at 80. This is with 3.55 and 20s.