Changing differential gears
WWould like to hear from those that have actually changed their rear-end ratios.
Did you get any improvement?
Was it worth it?
Any pitfalls?
Did you get any improvement?
Was it worth it?
Any pitfalls?
Forum Discussion
- Glad to hear it worked out! This is good info. for others that are considering the change.
- Great! I had similar results recently. Not disappointed at all.
- Excellent :B
- I went from 3:55 to 4:10 in a 2001 Dodge Cummins auto because we do a lot of towing in the mountains. I was a good move for me but the truck was a 2WD so it wasn't as expensive to change. My speedo wasn't affected because the sender was in the axle downstream from the differential on that truck. The Durango might be the same.
- UPDATE
Got the new gears installed. Went with a 4.1.
Made a 2k round trip and noticed a great improvement.
Gas mileage went up about 2 mpg and it no longer went to hunting gears on small inclines.
Very happy with results delwhjr wrote:
Good.Huntindog wrote:
Has your buddy ever set up gears before?
Too many to countHuntindog wrote:
Has your buddy ever set up gears before?
Too many to count- Has your buddy ever set up gears before?
Huntindog wrote:
I have a 73 Blazer that I bought in 85. It had 3.73s. That reved pretty good with stock tires and the TH350. When the tranny went, I installed a TH700R4. A lower 1st gear, and an overdrive made this a great choice. It was my first TV. Then one of the front springs broke while I was towing. Made it home fine with it that way only discovering it when backing into the drive. Priced new stock springs....Ouch.
So ended up with all new 2.5" lift springs/shocks for a lot less $$$. Then the stock tires looked silly, so at new tire time, 32"s went on. Then the OD was too steep. Mileage went down a lot and OD wasn't much use. When it was axle rebuild time, I installed 4.10s front and rear with a Trutrac in the rear and an Auburn in the front. I did it myself.
Cost wasn't bad at all. It did take some time and a few new tools.
What a difference! Mileage improved by 29%!!
power was better in every gear.
So yes, if your present gears are not working for your situation.... Getting the right ones for the job will make a world of difference, and very well may improve economy as well.
I am positive that my initial cost has been returned and then some, over the last 10 years in fuel savings. The better drivability is a bonus.
Thanks. My CAT numbers are good. I was just looking to improve shifting and short hill climb performance.patperry2766 wrote:
What part of Texas do you live in?
A lot of the bigger towns have 4x4 shops. Might be worth checking with them. Years ago, I had a Toyota 4x4 that I went with bigger tires on. I did the work myself to remove the axles and pumpkin (wasn't really that hard), bought the parts and they put then in the pumpkin and shimmed it for about $100. Probably more now.
Company is 4 wheel parts and they have stores in DFW, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Beaumont and McAllen. Any good axle shop should be able to easily do the work.
Live in N. Texas
Friend is helping with change out(he has garage and all the goodies to make life easier in the tools. Just looking for real life experiences to confirm if it had any validity or just garage talk.
