Well I am getting ready to purchase a 2007 3500 4x4 with automatic transmissionand I have a couple of questions. I am new to Dodge, former 1992 Ford owner, it was a 460CI gas and served me very well. I am going withDodge because it is theONLY logical choice for a diesel pick up.

Here are my questions, I would appreciate some feedback.

1. What type of steering does Dodge use on the 3500 series 4x4, rack and pinion or gear box type steering?

2. I am having a difficult time locating a 5.9 with 4:10 drive gearing. If I purchase with 3:73 how difficult isit tore-gear the front and rear end, does anyone have anidea on how much this re-gearing would cost.

Thanks, this site is great and I am looking forward to my new Dodge.....

 

Not sure about the steering. Gear box probably...

Make sure you get the rear end you want now. It will cost you about $75 to add 4.10 now. Regearing is not an easy job. You'll easily spend $1500-$2000 on parts and labor to regear later.

 

Waltmoe.......Welcome to DF and the Dark Side!

The 2wd's have R&P. The 4x's have the standard recirculating ball gear box.

Coming from an '04 SD, I'll tell you strait up that the steering on the Dodge is a lot more solid than the Ford was. That was the VERY FIRST thing I noticed when I drove this truck. No wandering, no vague, floating feeling.

As for the gears.......get them from the factory, if you can. Re-gearing is expensive.....to the tune of:

Per Axle
$200 per gear set
$100 - 200 per install kit
$300 - 600 per axle in labor.

So for a 4X, you're looking at $1200 on the low side and $1800 on the high side.

What are you planning on pulling. Until you start pushing up over 10K, the 3.73's are just fine, especially if you get the 6 spd.

 

Try doing a search through CARSDirect.com. You can plug in the items you want in the truck and they will do a search (dealer should be able to do it as well) plus I got a good price

 

Drive one with 3.73 before you make up your mind. They are plenty of gear unless you will be maxing the truck out and always towing that way.

BTW, my last two trucks were Fords. Once you tow with or work this truck you will wonder what took you so long to get it.

 

They're all correct on the gearing, I ordered my truck from the factory after making the mistake of taking one off the lot years ago and then paying a fortune to re-gear. I have 3.73 in mine (wife's actually) and tow a 6K pound trailer over some big grades and have more power than I know what to do with. I have a 2500 4X4 w/ 4 speed auto tranny. Unless you're towing a ton - over 10K - you will just waste gas on the freeway.

 

4.10's only come with the auto, if you have the manual trans the only gear is the 3.73's, but it will run like you have 4.10's due to the final drive of the G56 trans.

I have 4.10's in mine, Ive gotten used to them, but I run out of RPM's VERY quick. Ive been thinking about an overdrive gear set, but the wife would kill me when she sees the sticker price[&:]

 

I know I've said this before, but it's still worth it's weight in gold.....

Regearing to achieve fuel mileage is like ordering a Diet Coke with a Whopper meal.

It just doesn't acheive the desired results. The cost of re-gearing or putting in and under / overdrive unit will never pay for itself in re-couped fuel mileage.

Now, if you are gonna tow HEEEEEEAAAVVVY and long, then yes it pays to regear or drop in an add-on unit.

 

I'm not regearing. . .it is an auxilary transmission. . .and I know to match the fuel savings I would have to have that succer for a LONG time.

 

I have a 06 with the 6 sp and 3.73s and a gear vendor over drive, yes it cost alot but being able to split 4-5 and 5-6 when pulling is sweeeeet. I can keep the rpm's right on the peek of the torque curve. Od in 6th is a added bonus as it drops rpm's about 500 at 75mph.