A little long but I would appreciate any advice :
I recently purchased a 2010 Ram Laramie. When I talked to the dealer there were several must have's, one of which was the 3.92 RE. I settled on a truck that had everything I wanted and then some but had the 3.55 , as told by the dealer. The day I picked it up I was in such awe of the new truck that I did not check the RE. Fast forward two weeks and I get a sprayed in bed liner and the technician asked me why I got a lot of towing upgrades but the 3.21 RE and showed me the 3.21 part number and sticker on the housing. So I ordered the build sheet and sure enough it states 3.21 RE. I then called Dodge 800 number to get the towing capabilities of the truck and they directed me to the the web page, body builder pdf, and inform me the 3.21 Laramie with 20" tires they do not produced unless custom ordered, which I did not do. Long story short, this truck can not tow very much. I then informed the dealer and much to their credit they are trying to help.
They have found the exact same truck except the following differences :
No DVD/TV - which I did not really want anyway No trailer brake control in the dash. But it does have the 3.92 and trailer towing mirrors. Also I would have to eat the cost of the bed liner, which started this whole ordeal.

I do notice the truck is a tad "sluggish" from a dead stop compared to the 3.92. I just happen to be put in a 3.92 while I was waiting for my new truck to come in from out of town. I do not drive a lot and probably 50/50 on the highway vs city. I do not tow a lot but when I do I would much rather have the capability than not.

So should I keep what I have and upgrade to aftermarket 4.10,which seems to be the advice from the post I have read or take the switch ?

Any input appreciated...

 

If you mostly drive on the highway and don't tow very often, why in the world do you want 3.92 or 4.10 gears?

When you do tow, how much weight are you towing? I've got a crewcab SLT with 3.21's and it tows 5-6000lbs like its not there.

 

I'd have the dealer install 3.92s at their cost.

 

+1 392 lsd

 

I go with the dealer install 3.92.

 

There has been mention of gear whine when aftermarket 4:10's are installed. Funny that the alternate truck would have been ordered with the trailering axle and mirrors, but no brake control.

I think I would try to get the dealer to change the gears on the exisitng truck. Be sure they change the speedometer gear as well. (Or is that done electronically these days; I honestly don't know!)

 

Looking at many ram's both in person and online I have no idea how the buyer's spec these trucks. You find a lot of features that do not make sense. Why would you put a trailer brake control, class IV rec, tow hooks, and then the 3.21 RE and no trailer mirrors...on the flip side why would you put every towing option available and then no tow mirrors or built in trailer brake control. It's almost as if they have x number of options they have to put and just pull random options out of a jar with no rhyme or reason ???

 

Since MPH is usually read off of the axle speed, changing diff doesn't require any reprogramming (as far as I know).

To the OP:

First I would pressure the dealer into putting a new diff in your truck. It should have at least the 3.55 they told you it would have. While they are at it you can ask them to put the 3.92 in (should be their charity as part of the hassle it's causing you - I don't think it would cost them much more - if it does, offer to pay the difference - the big cost here is labor anyway).

Honestly I wouldn't let the dealer get out of the situation any other way. At the very least they need to put the 3.55 in your truck.

 

Just my opinion and im sure many will disagree but i think the 3.55 set up is what u want with one aftermarket expense. I tow a dual axle trailer with four sleds in it during the winter. I have the 3.55 RE but bought a superchips programmer. Factor in u can download the tow program which will increase the MPG and unlock torque the engine has that isnt brought out on the stock program. Higher than 3.55 and you will see ur MPGs go way down. Unlock the efficient power the engine has and keep the MPGs. Reprogram to stock when it goes in for service and no issues will arise. I love my Superchips Cortex and the power increase without loss of MPGs is awesome. Just an idea, and since you dont tow on a regular basis i think you'll be happier. Also 4.10s are a big mistake for a daily driver, you'll kick yourself as the engine is whining @ highway speed. Like i said, just the opinion of someone completely happy with this set up on his 09 Laramie.

 

I agree let the dealer change the gears. I would go with 3;55 unless you are towing alot of weight.