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?
Forum Discussion
Many people change gears to a numerically higher. I generally recommend changing at least two steps. So 3.55->4.10+ is beneficial. 3.55->3.92 is not (enough). Almost always with respect to towing, people are more pleased with the performance afterwards. Better acceleration, same to better fuel efficiency in city and towing.
Pitfalls: unloaded highway fuel efficiency and engine speeds. Costs. From an asset investment point of view, you will never get back what you spend. It will be $500-1500 per axle plus a tuner to change the transmission shift patterns. This could be a large amount of money on a 12+ year old vehicle.
As mentioned, selling the current vehicle and spending the extra $3k on a different more capable vehicle is generally a better $ investment. Full sized SUVs with much better geared 6-spd transmissions started in 2007 with Toyoda Sequoia and Ford Expeditions and 2009 GM twins.
However, if you really love your Durango, it is well maintained, it is a recreational/towing vehicle only and you can afford it, then I'm sure you will notice and enjoy the increased acceleration from stopped and better throttle response.
Pitfalls: unloaded highway fuel efficiency and engine speeds. Costs. From an asset investment point of view, you will never get back what you spend. It will be $500-1500 per axle plus a tuner to change the transmission shift patterns. This could be a large amount of money on a 12+ year old vehicle.
As mentioned, selling the current vehicle and spending the extra $3k on a different more capable vehicle is generally a better $ investment. Full sized SUVs with much better geared 6-spd transmissions started in 2007 with Toyoda Sequoia and Ford Expeditions and 2009 GM twins.
However, if you really love your Durango, it is well maintained, it is a recreational/towing vehicle only and you can afford it, then I'm sure you will notice and enjoy the increased acceleration from stopped and better throttle response.
