Cummins12V98 wrote:
. . . I loved my 3.42's in my 11 HO RAM DRW. Only issue was I had to take it easy on launch on grade. Fast forward my 15 has 4.10's and AISIN. Hind sight I should have bought the 3.42's with AISIN and towed in 5th same rpms I now do in 6th. The LOW starting gears in the AISIN would have made launching 36k a non issue and had another gear for better highway economy running solo.
True, except your drive-line stress would go up significantly with the 3.42 vs. a 4.10.
Drive-line stress is something you cannot see or feel.
That's why the tow capacity ratings for a Ram Cummins with the 3.73 and 4.10 rearends are higher than the 3.42---driveline stress is the limiting factor for each ratio.
There's no win-win with any rearend ratio. Always a pro and con with every choice. Some pros and cons you can see and feel, others you cannot.
