Alright guys, another question. In shopping for my new truck, I don't know what gears to get. I'm wanting a 2011 2500 diesel, but now sure on the gears. Does it make a big difference between 3.73 or 4.10 gears. I have a boat that weighs around 8K pounds, but don't tow that often. Maybe tow 6 to 12 times a year at the most. As far as gas millege, which gears are better, and how is power and acceleration affected by the different gears??

Thanks
Chris

 

Get the 3.73 gears unless you're going to:

sled pull
drag race
get a much heavier trailer
tow in really hilly areas

Honestly, if you're towing something heavy enough that the 3.73s don't cut it, you should also probably be looking at a 3500 for the extra tongue/pin weight.

I towed a ~14k trailer across the country with no problem with 3.73s, I did however do DPF/EGR deletes and I'm running a programmer. Tonight I turned a 13.8 @ 97, so I'd say the acceleration isn't an issue.

Fuel economy is going to be better with the 3.73s, but not a whole lot.

 

go with 3.73 gears

these trucks have plenty of power

 

I have a CTD with 4.10 gears.. I also had a 1500 HEMI with 3.73s. I wish the CTD had 3.73's for better fuel economy... but, in a 3500 it's not an option. I love the truck too much to swap it out. The hemi had lots of power in the hills too.

 

3.73's unless somewhere down the road you plan on going to REALLY tall tires.
The 3.73's will work in almost any situation, like you said you only tow once once in a while get the 4.10's and you're stuck with them ALL the time!
Less rev's easier on the engine too!
I've got 3.73's and wish I could go to 3.00 or in that neighborhood.
just my 0.02
Bob

 

I have a 05 3500 auto w/ 4:10 posi, getting 18/19 to the gal. I have a new engine w/cam, no tuner & stock inj. I can pull a good size tree out of the ground. Great take off and runs great on the highway!

 

I don't have a CTD but my 2008 Ram 2500 with the hemi has 3.73 gears. They were alright with the little stock 245 tires. After I upgraded to 35" tires it's a little high geared and wish I had 4.10 gears. I know, talking about apples and oranges with the motors but just something to think about if you are the kind of person that likes bigger tires.

 

I have a 06 Dodge ram 2500 and I get around 15.5-16.5mpg with the intake, 5" exhaust, stock inj and turbo. I have the 4.10 gearing and I was told that 3.73 would get me better mpg. I also remember running across a forum that listed the size large tires which would act like it's geared at 3.73 but still keeping the 4.10 gears. I believe they were 33.5"? Can anybody confirm this?

 

Here's a ratio calculator. Use the "Find new gear ratio with new tire size"

http://www.snoman.com/HTML/axlecalc_5a.html

Sorry, not exactly an answer to your question hiperf. Didn't realize this until I punched some numbers in. I guess this just tells you what ratio you would need to make it closer to your original with new larger tires.

 

Since when were 3.73's not an option? On the new ones you can get 3.42, 3.73, or 4.10. Perhaps your dealer fed you a line to move inventory instead of having you shop around?