Ram G56 gearing?

[jerryleejr]

I'm posting here instead of the TV forum because it involves a TC. For those with a ram G56 manual which gearing did you go with 3.42 or 3.73 for hauling your TC and towing trailer, boat etc? I'm planning on 4-5k in the bed and 5-7k trailer.

JJ

[jefe_4x4]

Tow, Jim, 2 down, MK and others,
Thanks for the heads up on the G-56. I am a bit skeptical with the "?" gearing on G-56 on the on-line chart. There would be virtually no reason to have ratios that close. But you never know what those guys at MB will come up with. With the dramatic increase in TQ in the Cummins, there seems to no longer be any need for a 'grannie gear' as you can just about let out the clutch in any gear and start moving.
That's why I would, after long consideration, go with the 3.42's and call it good. Larger pinion. If you start to lug, just downshift. We don't have to be in 6th gear all the time. Unless you were pulling a big trailer and have a heavy camper on board, then a higher numerical pig would be an asset.
jefe

[jerryleejr]

Wasn't starting a manual vs auto debate, that's goes in the category with other well discussed topics. I like and want a manual so that being said for my application and weights I was just trying to decide on gearing.

JJ

[twodownzero]

805gregg wrote:
There is a good reason they won't be offered much longer, it costs as much to replace a clutch and flywheel as it does to rebuild an auto and the auto will last longer, research more before you buy, my 2001 auto has 395,000 hard miles, still stock original

It's fine if you don't like manual transmissions, but you are deluding yourself if you believe that; the facts speak otherwise. You could not buy a decent rebuilt automatic for a Dodge/Ram for even twice what a clutch kit costs. If you got 395,000 miles on your auto, especially in a Dodge, you are in a tiny minority.

An automatic will also never be as durable and reliable as a manual. Autos offer other options and their durability is massively improved over where they used to be, but they will never be a simple as a manual transmissions. Manual transmissions aren't going anywhere. They might not be available for pickup trucks but you will never see autos in semis across the board, and for good reason.

If a day ever comes where they are willing to put dual and triple disc clutches in factory pickup trucks, you will see the most awesome manual transmission vehicles ever made when they are finished.

I have no interest in owning an automatic, but I acknowledge that I'm giving up convenience and the ability to shift without unloading the engine in exchange for simplicity and reliability. Pretending like it's not a tradeoff is just fundamentalist--the evidence suggests otherwise.

[towpro]

Here is a spread sheet you can use to pick ratios (and tire size) on all the Ram transmission combos and see RPM's

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_OqMXvIayG5fzvHmFCKxWqDxO89ldh-1wlpJf8FQeNI/edit?pli=1#gid=0

(I don't know who made this, as with anything you find on internet, check the data first)

[mkirsch]

JIMNLIN wrote:
jefe
Turbo Diesel Register mag #60 page 48 shows the G56 had gearing changes in '07.5 for the new 6.7 engine.
New '07.5 gears are;

5.94...3.28...1.98...1.30...1.00....0.74 (6th gear).... and 5.42 reverse

With those ratios a 3.42 will be fine for your purposes. You could get the space shuttle rolling with 3.73's.

[towpro]

Yes, Jim is right. The new od came out with the new engine.
(There might have been a little overlap with new ratio and 5.9 in late 2006)

[JIMNLIN]

jefe
Turbo Diesel Register mag #60 page 48 shows the G56 had gearing changes in '07.5 for the new 6.7 engine.
New '07.5 gears are;

5.94...3.28...1.98...1.30...1.00....0.74 (6th gear).... and 5.42 reverse

[jefe_4x4]

Tow,
They changed ratios in 6th? What was the final ratio in the 'new' O.D. gearing? My records indicate the G56 had these ratios:
6.29/3.48/2.10/1.38/1.00/0.79/5.74R (lower 1st gear; less tall 21% O.D.)
and the NV5600 had:
5.63/3.38/2.04/1.39/1.00/0.73/5.63R (higher 1st gear; taller 27% O.D.)
To the question: gearing all depends on how much load/tow weight you are up to, and
how much torque the engine of your particular year puts out. On the last few years of the Ram, the TQ rating is so high that it will twist at a loaf with taller 3.42:1 gears. Because it can.
On earlier Rams with lessTQ a higher numerical rear end ratio is in order. Then again, my 3.55:1 pigs and 33.1" tires dictate spending a bit more time in 5th,with my tinky 505 #ft, which I think is a good thing as the O.D., 6th gear is smallest of the gears and more likely to fail. As to the pigs, there is a train of thought that a lower numerical pinion (like 3:42:1) is larger with more gear surface than a higher numerical gear and less likely to cause woes down the road.
I think you could learn to drive each choice of gearing over time, massaging the trans to meet the grade or speed.
Just my opinion.
jefe

[towpro]

Talk about reaching for 7th, i had an 06 g56 that did 2200rpm at 65 with 3:73s. But that truck could tow!
They changed OD in 2007

[jerryleejr]

Grit dog wrote:
How fast do you want to drive? G56 gearing I don't think has changed appreciably for the OD ratio.
I still reach for 7th gear sometimes when doing 80 and not paying attention lol.
If just hauling the camper and a 5-7k trailer I'd get 3.73 or lower if it's a dedicated camper rig. If it's a DD as well and you run 75-85mph much I'd get 3.42 or 3.73.

I rarely go over 70 but sometimes traffic flow gets up there. I know what you mean I searched for 7th a few times in my 08

JJ

[805gregg]

Because I want one, and I foresee a manual not being offered very much longer.

There is a good reason they won't be offered much longer, it costs as much to replace a clutch and flywheel as it does to rebuild an auto and the auto will last longer, research more before you buy, my 2001 auto has 395,000 hard miles, still stock original

[Grit_dog]

How fast do you want to drive? G56 gearing I don't think has changed appreciably for the OD ratio.
I still reach for 7th gear sometimes when doing 80 and not paying attention lol.
If just hauling the camper and a 5-7k trailer I'd get 3.73 or lower if it's a dedicated camper rig. If it's a DD as well and you run 75-85mph much I'd get 3.42 or 3.73.

[jerryleejr]

805gregg wrote:
Why would you get a stick with the great autos available now?

Because I want one, and I foresee a manual not being offered very much longer.

JJ

[805gregg]

Why would you get a stick with the great autos available now?