Ram 3500 (6.4 Hemi)3.73 vs 4.10 with TC

Just a thought, if you went with 4.10's and were unhappy, when it comes time for tires you could go to a larger tire to change the overall ratio.

This thought even after driving a while has gone through my mind too. However, if I went with larger tires later to adjust the ratio I wouldn't be able to get my camper in the truck without using blocks. As it was, I was glad I had put 2x6 blocks under the rear jacks last time I unloaded from the 2004 Dodge or I would have problem getting it in the new truck. Also, larger tires hurt fuel mileage and increases the stress on the front end which is the weak point in a Ram.

While you're ordering the 4.10, order the limited slip differential too (or the electric locking differential, if it is available).

Limited slip is standard on the 2500 and 3500 Rams regardless of engine.

I have a '14 3500 with the 6.4L 3.73 gears, get 9mpg if I am lucky hauling around the 4k lance 861. Plenty get up and go at a cost to MPG

Are you using tow/haul mode whenever the camper is on board? I don't with mine and feel there is enough power left to handle a larger camper. But I do find I need to run about 63-64 mph to keep from shifting on small swells.

The greater torque multiplication of the 4.10 is worth more than the slightly lower rpm of the 3.73

More important than the torque multiplier is the higher rpms. At 58mph in 6th the engine is just starting to make power and torque. So with 3.73 you either need to run faster speeds or drop to 5th.

If it is only slightly more rpm wouldn't that imply only slightly more torque?

Usually the torque curve is extremely steep on the low RPM side so even a couple hundred RPM could mean significant torque increase.

What I have notice on my truck is I don't use tow/haul for several reasons. First and what probably keeps me from using it is that it will not shift into 5th gear until you hit about 55mph no matter how light of foot you have. Think this would be pretty good if loaded near max of 12,000#, but terrible for at least my 2,400# TC. Even when I pull the 2,500# boat along, it is still way too late.

It moves the shift points by significant RPMs in the other gears too. Usually, letting it shift in the 2,000 - 2,400 rpm range is sufficient for moderate acceleration. Tow/haul mode wants to hold the shifts until about 3,300 rpm. Again, what is needed for very heavy loads.

My thoughts on selecting 3.73 were that I would be in 5th most times and the 4.10 would just push the RPMs too high on the highway. And I finally realized it didn't matter if I went with 3.73s or 4.10 because I would adjust my cruise speed to get a satisfactory compromise between speed and mpg.

I have almost 12,000 miles carrying my camper and have settled that the 3.73 gears were a good call for my driving style well. I've never needed more power, usually don't see over 3,000 RPMs unless I really need to get moving like on a short on-ramp and then 4,000 rpm range gets the job easily done. The only negative is I need to run faster at about 63-64 mph on the interstate but the truck really loves the 68-70 mph as my wife will show you when she takes her turn driving.