Rear end gear ratio

[Bill R H]

Help. I'm buying a new truck in a few months. I'm getting a Dodge Mega Cab. I don't like one truck anymore than another and that's not what I need help with. I talked with the Dodge salesman a while ago and he said the standard rear end gear ratio on the 08's will be 3.42 last year it was 3.73 or you could order a 4.10 rear end. I'm a little worried about using a 3.42 in the mountains. The mpg will be a lot better with the 3.42 , but should I get the 4.10 for those times I really need it. I'm only going to be towing about 25 or 30% of the time. I'm also buying an 08 3400RL Montana. I would really appreciate hearing from people who have these ratios. Thanks Bill

[Eagle Man]

I can't imagine a 3.42 in a truck designed for towing. There are no choices with GM and diesels, everybody gets a 3.73.

[bsmeaton]

I would not like the 3:42 ratio here in Colorado, but I was also glad to get rid of my 4:10 ratios back in the late 1990s.

You say "you don't like one truck anymore than another" - hmmm - I guess I would just keep shopping!

[Bill R H]

Sorry,I should have given more information. I need the Dodge for the room in the Mega Cab. I wife has a back problem and has to lay down for a while several times a day. The M/C in the only truck with a back seat big enough to make her a bed she can stretch out in. I plan to buy the 3500 dually. I wonder if the salseman made a mistake on the 3.42 being the new standard rear gear ratio on the 08's.

[BB_TX]

Like the others, I can't imagine a 3.42 in a tow vehicle. May be OK unloaded. But towing most likely you would always be running a gear or two below overdrive just to keep the rpm's up. My F350 3.73 is only turning around 1800 in OD at about 65 mph. In fact, in tow/haul it will only go into OD at about 65 on relatively flat highway. But tows great between 68 and 70 in OD as it approaches 2000 rpm, again on relatively flat highway.

[ols1932]

I agree with the experiences already posted. I wouldn't go with anything less than the 3.73. It appears to me that if they're putting in the 3.42 then they're not concerned if you are towing but are rather interested in mpg.

Orv

[Hemlockusa]

I think you need to talk to another SALEMAN!!!!!!!!!!I think he is ill informated..........3.73 is standard and I believe always will be. AGAIN find a salesman that has some knowledge!!!!
safe travels my friend. John

[The Oldguard]

quote:Originally posted by Hemlockusa

I think you need to talk to another SALEMAN!!!!!!!!!!I think he is ill informated..........3.73 is standard and I believe always will be. AGAIN find a salesman that has some knowledge!!!!
safe travels my friend. John

I would find the service manger/department and talk with them about the gears that come standard and what options are available for your truck…just explain to him that it seems the sales staff doesn’t know and you would like to get the best one for pulling your 3400RL.

[ldunning]

I checked dodge.com and they only mention 3.73 and 4.10 for the 2008 3500. Sound like you need another salesman.

[Bill R H]

I'm waiting on a call back from someone I trust about the truth on the dodge 08 rear end gear ratio. I did just go to dodge.com and checked on build your own truck tab. if you want an automatic trans. the 3.73 rear end is not an option only the 4.10 . I'm more confused than ever. Bill

[Fordzilla]

I have the 4.10's in my f350 DRW and I would bet you will be well suited pulling with those gears in the mountains. I use my TV to pull 25% of the time or less and it still gets 16-17MPG running solo or with a light load on. I didn't get any better with my previous F350 that had 3.73's. So I say go for it you will be glad you can pull any hill you want and less down shifting.

[Eagle Man]

Check the sticker on the truck, it will tell you what the rear end ratio is, and I'm betting they don't sell a 3.42 on a 3/4 ton or larger pickup.

[DarMar]

Bill, as our sig indicates we have the classic version I guess of the truck you are about to order. We just love the cab on this truck and I am more than impressed with it's towing ability. We do have the 4.10's and went for them because in 07 it gave us a towing capacity of 15,200 lbs, I believe that was 2,000lbs. more than if equipped with the 3.73. We also are towing the 3400rl without any problem at all!!! Sure, we may use a bit more fuel in the long run but we were more interested in being within the proper towing specs than saving a few more dollars.

[Blord]

You didn't mention whether you are looking at an automatic or manual and it could make a difference. In 2006 they changed to another manufacturer's manual transmission which was geared differently than before. The manual with a 3:73 had the same overall gearing as an automatic with 4:10 ratio. That was the first time that automatics got better gas mileage than manuals. So it might be possible that in the manual they are now offering 3:42 which would be the same as an automatic with 3:73.

However, I doubt that the optional gear would jump to 4:10 if this was the case. That would equivalent to a 4:56. I'd bet they are still offering 3:73 standard and 4:10 optional.

[c5racer]

The 08 Dodge with 6 speed auto with 4.10 gears has the same final drive ratio as the 06 has with 3.73 gears, never heard of the 3.42 gears.

TRANSMISSION: 68RFE ORION-AUTOMATIC, SIX-SPEED
Availability ---- Opt. with 6.7L turbo diesel engine; available Jan. 1,
2007
Description ---- Three planetary gear sets, one overrunning clutch, full
electronic control, electronically controlled converter
clutch
Gear Ratios
1st ---- 3.231
2nd ---- 1.837
3rd ---- 1.410
4th ---- 1.0
5th ---- 0.816
6th ---- 0.625
Reverse ---- 4.444
Overall Top Gear Ratio ---- 2.33 with 3.73 axle ratio; 2.56 with 4.10 axle
ratio

[Bob Pasternak]

It also seems to me I read somewhere that if you get the 6 speed manual, the 6.7 will be electronically derated to 325 hp & 610 lb. ft. of torque, which is the same as my 5.9.

[c5racer]

Here is the specs for the engine, same horsepower as the auto, they just lowered the torque on the 6-speed. Maybe the clutch can't handle 650 lbs of torque.

Power (SAE net) ---- 350 HP (261 kW) @ 3,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) ---- 650 lb.-ft. (881 N*m) @ 1,500 rpm w/6-spd.
automatic;
610 lb.-ft. (827 N*m) @1,400 rpm w/6-spd. manual

[MacDR50]

I checked this earlier. The 3500 6.7 with the manual 6 spd offers the 3.42 rear end. It is not offered for the automatic.

[av2pilot]

I replaced my stock 3.54 rear end with the 4.10 and lost a bit in the mpg dept, but now it doesn't take 2 city blocks to get accelerated!

[skypilot]

Per sales Droid at Zangara Dodge, Albuquerque NM, this morning - later build of megacab will come standard with 3.42 or 3.73 due to fuel economy concerns. They are ordering 3.73s special; norm if not specified is less (i.e 3.42). Asked Service Tech about it and he said they get a lot of people complaining of poor fuel economy unloaded so he wouldn't be surprised but has not seen anything that he remembered about it being the standard. So.......
I didn't ask whether standard or automatic .