Which axle ratio for 2013 Ram 3500 dually?

4x4ord wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I would opt for the 4.10. I have 3.73 in my Ram SRW with the stock 245/75/17 tires. At 1600 rpm I'm running 62. Problem is when your in the mtns and running 50-60, 6th gear is a bit much, so dropping to 5th works better but then you turning 19-2000 rpms. Not really that bad, but going to 4.10 would give me another 150+ rpm's which would allow me to run 6th in the mtns. You would turn more running the freeway at say 65 but still not bad. 4.10 will give the truck a better range of towing in 6th gear especially with a heavy 5'er.

I am curious as to what you like better about the number 6 than 4 or 5. When towing hard and heavy 4th is an excellent gear to be in. Why do you want to speed things up using overdrive gears (loosing power/creating heat) only to slow it back down again in the rear axle (loosing more power/creating more heat)?

Edit: The 3.42 gears would allow the truck to run in 5th, when you want, at 1715 engine rpm at 62 mph.

Like I said it's just from my personal experience towing 9,000lbs. With the 3.73 I feel they are a good all around gear, but when I tow I'm in between what I feel is the right combo. Yes I can just run in 5th when needed and shift to 6th. Running in the mtns where I go IMO 4.10's would be perfect. I could run 6th 95% of the time and only use 5th on the steepest grades. I do have 245's for tires, jumping to 285's would allow me to run 5th 95% of the time. I guess it's just a personal preference for me. Kinda like riding a 15 speed bike, you just find the combo that feels right. IMO the Cummins seems to feel best around 1800rpms. And 4.10's @62 would be close to that. 4.10 would allow a wider mph range while not getting below 15-1600. Call me lazy on not wanting to click down a gear, but it's nice to just set it and forget it. Also pulling out on steep hill from a dead stop is easier with 4.10.