I need some advice. I am about to be a Chevy to Dodge convert. I am purchasing a 2010 Laramie in the next week. I spend 95% of my time on pavement and pull a 19' bass boat about 2 times a month. I do a lot of stop and go driving and short trips. I have always driven a 4wd but am considering a 2wd this time. Should I get the 3.92 gears to have the LSD? I would think the 3.55 gears would provide better MPG but I'm afraid of the 5% when I am off pavement with a 2wd. At least the 3.92 would give me both wheels. Any information, advice, thoughts would be greatly appreciated. This will be my first ever Dodge purchase so I hope I am making the right decision. Thanks!

 

I am a recent GMC to Dodge convert myself. Loving every minute of it so far!

All I can say is get 4wd! I know I will never be without it, winter is too bad here. If you have always had it, why change now?

As for the gears, I can't help you there. Don't know much about that.

 

Not much winter here in Alabama.

 

I am switching from 2wd to 4wd because I have now have a 19' ski boat. My current truck (2008 Ram with the 3:92) still spins a bit on a a slick ramp. When I get the 4x4 I know I won't have to worry about that any longer. Plus, the resale value is better for a 4x4. Oh, and I'm planning on getting the 3:55 on the 4wd. That way I can get ok mileage and still yank the boat.

 

The OE LSD sucks...

The OE 4WD system without LSD is not that great...

The OE LSD with 4WD is OK...

If you are coming from a chevy, they have a mechanical locker, which works better than any LSD.

My recomendation would be to get a truck with the rear end gearing you want and go to an aftermarket LSD... it will work under all but the worst circumstances.

 

My last truck was a 2006 Hemi 2x2. I towed a Ranger 520 for about a year. Fished EVERY weekend and hit all types of ramps. Guys would watch me at the ramp like they were waiting for me to get stuck in the mud or spin out on a wet steep ramp. It never happened. Bass fishermen know how to pull a boat out, nice and easy on the gas and never stop unit your all the way out.
Sold the Ranger and bought a smaller boat that used less gas.
Trust me man you will LOVE the truck! It was my first Dodge and Ill never look back.
I just bought a new 4x4 because Ive always wanted one and had some extra cash. Heres the 06

 

Your truck only had two wheels?

 

From all of the reports on here it doesn't seem like there's much of a noticeable difference in gas mileage. For stop and go driving I've actually seen better numbers for the 3.92. I drive stop and go with the 3.55 and get about low 13s mpg. I love the truck but regret not getting the 3.92.

 

I would like to hear from someone who has 4.10 gears in a Gen 4 Hemi.

My theory is that the MDS would activate more often at all speeds and thereby provide better economy and better towing performance.

Why do I believe this? With my 3.55 gears I have noticed that when I tuck in behind a semi (50' to 100') at 65-75mph my MDS kicks in almost full time and EVIC MPG goes up to about 24mpg. Of course this is due to decreased wind resistance but perhaps the 4.10 gears would decrease the engine loading in a similar fashion.

Anyone else care to weigh in on this?

 

I can say that a solution to wheelspin on a wet ramp with the 2wd is wider tires. The stock tires suck. That solved my problem. It's potentially a cheaper solution that 4wd. Occasionally the TC comes on, but I don't have any problems getting up a ramp pulling a 21' twin engine boat that weighs in at 5,250 w/ trailer (probably much more than your bass boat).

In regards to gears, the theory is that the 3.55's get better mileage on the highway. If you're worried about traction 5% of the time and don't want to go aftermarket, just get the 3.92 w/ LSD. Unless you're really offroading, it will be sufficient.

I'd say only get the 4x4 if you really think you need it. It hurts the mpg 24/7. If that doesn't matter to you, get the 4x4. I got a 2wd b/c our 4x4 is the wife's hummer and the 2wd has always been enough at the ramp.