shopping for a used 1500..gearing question

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Jun 2, 2015 | 07:50 PM
  #1  
Im in the market for a new to me truck. Im looking at 2011 and up Ram 1500's 4wd crew cab. It will be used for daily driving and towing a camper. I currently tow with a Durango Hemi 3:55 gears. I looked up tow ratings and saw that 3:92 gears are offered which is what I want since it will pull better than my current vehicle. My main question is were the 3:92 gears offered in a certain trim level as standard equipment? Or was it an option when the truck was ordered. I checked at a local dealer and the greasy used car salesmen was no help at all.
Thanks in advance

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section (tech/non tech)
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Jun 3, 2015 | 02:20 AM
  #2  
Quote: My main question is were the 3:92 gears offered in a certain trim level as standard equipment? Or was it an option when the truck was ordered. I checked at a local dealer and the greasy used car salesmen was no help at all.
The 3.92 axle came with some premium groups or could be ordered as a one off for most of the 4G trucks. I've seen many sitting on the lots over the years with less than premium packages but with a 3.92 axle. You definitely want those gears if you're planning to tow a travel trailer.

Cheers
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Jun 3, 2015 | 08:17 AM
  #3  
shopping for a used 1500..gearing question
I've never seen a rhyme or reason to Ram trucks and what gears they come with. I've seen trucks with the tow package and tow mirrors with 3.55 and even 3.21 gears and seen trucks without a hitch with 3.92s.
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Jun 3, 2015 | 10:07 AM
  #4  
I believe gear ratio was just a separate option that the dealer or a customer ordered. Seems like most trucks on the lot in 2010 when I was looking were 3.55, with 3.92 close behind. 3.21 was pretty rare, and the 4.10 was only for the Express or whatever they called the regular cab, 2WD, short box model. 3.92 is a good choice for towing.

Rob
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Jun 3, 2015 | 10:28 AM
  #5  
3.21 was only a 2wd option when I bought mine. Truck had the tow package (hitch and wiring).
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Jun 3, 2015 | 12:02 PM
  #6  
FWIW - I tow a travel trailer and have the 3:55 gears. I like the 3:55 setup because the engine RPM's stay lower which equals (less engine noise).


Travel trailers need direct drive or gear 4 on the EVIC to keep from hunting from overdrive back to direct drive, back to overdrive, etc. mostly due to the large air mass you have to move. (I don't have the 8 speed).


My point is that the Hemi has enough torque to handle the 3:55 setup when towing. Find the truck you want and be happy with whatever gear setup it has. Maybe even happier with the 3:55 setup.


If you live in the mountains and only plan on towing in the mountains then maybe you need 3:92's I don't know
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Jun 4, 2015 | 06:19 PM
  #7  
Thank you all for the info. Looks like I'm going to have to find a salesman that isn't a grease ball and willing to help me find a truck with the gear I want. I def want the 3:92's from the factory. I don't want to have to deal with a gear swap on a new truck.
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