At 70mph with no load, how much different is mpg with 4.10 vs 3.73 6speed cummins HO?

 

Negligible. From truck to truck, there isn't much difference in mpg's. You'll see that there are 3.73 geared trucks that get great mileage, and others that don't. Same goes for 4.10 geared trucks. Driving style is the biggest factor when considering fuel mileage.

The same can probably be said for tranny's, but for fuel mileage - I think the nod goes to 6-speeds.

If you're going to be pulling heavy, or want to put BIG tires on it that will raise the effective gearing - get the 4.10's; otherwise I'd get the 3.73's for less commotion in the engine compartment on the superslab.

 

The rason I ask is, the dealer has a 4.10 new 2500 quad cab 04 SLT w/6speed. It has less options than the one with the 3.73, and is 2k cheaper.

I don't tow or carry more than 500lbs at any given time. I do alot of hwy driving about 700 miles a week at 80+ mph.

I drove both, and the 4.10 has much better low end pickup from a start, and it hold its speed better in 6th gear.

Would you say less than 2mpg or more. If its more then, then I think the 3.73 will be less costly in the long run.

 

Ron, disregarding dollars for a moment, I think if you're going to run 80+ "often" you should get the 3.73's. The 4.10's won't do you any good up there and will probably cost you a little in fuel consumption. But up to 70'ish, there's not much difference.

You certainly don't need 4.10's for what you're going to do. That being said, neither do I, but thats what I've got in my truck. At 23k miles, my overall average is 17mpg, with a high tankful of 21 and lowest tankful was 14.5mpg. I was going to order a truck with 3.73's but "mine" was sitting on the lot waiting for me to pick it up. I got the same deal with it as I would have with the truck I was going to order.

The only downside to my 4.10's is that the truck runs out of breath quicker than a higher geared truck. Basically, the top speed is lower. Then again, I've always got my Mustang to flirt around up there.

Not sure what options appeal to you, but $2000 buys a lot of fuel. I am glad my truck came with the Infinity sound system in it because I wouldn't have ordered a truck with it.

Either way, these trucks put a goofy smile on your face thats hard to get rid of.

 

I just did some math for giggles. Lets say the higher geared truck (A) gets 18mpg, and the lower (B) gets 16mpg. I used your 2mpg factor.

Over a hundred thousand miles, truck A will consume 5555 gallons, and truck B consumes 6250 gallons.

At (estimate) $1.65/gallon, truck A fuel costs will be $9167, and truck B $10,312. A difference of $1146.

Based on an initial higher truck cost of $2000, the savings in its fuel consumption haven't really paid for themselves in this analysis (don't forget that I didn't take extra options into account with the higher purchase price). And they're both finally broken in at this point.

If you're going to take a loan out on the truck, whats the monthly difference in payments, tax and interest with the lower purchase price?

A red truck will cost a bit more to insure as well.

 

Thanks for the info. Neither of the trucks have the infinity speakers. Just the standard CD. I would like the better sound system. Are the speakers easy to replace?

The 4.10 truck is red. It has the basic interior, no power drivers seat. It does have lamp clearence lights, 4.10, TT hitch, off road tires.

The silver has the better interior, light grp, TT hitch, TT mirrors, sport appearence grp, off road tires. No clearence lights.

What is your opinion. Also, I plan on keeping the vehicle for 7+ years and putting on 200k + miles.

Which is better in deep snow?

 

I would agree with BULABULA...alot of highway driving without towing..get the 3.73 rear end. I have it and no complaints other than it wasn't filled from the factory. MAKE SURE to check it!

Better in snow? Who runs 70-80mph in the snow?

If you have the choice get the factory BFG 26570R17 Rugged Trail tires. They have a better grip than the other's. And, for running in the snow put some sandbags (200-300pds) in the bed/back, directly over the axles. The rear ends are light on these trucks and the sand will make the truck stick better. You can also lower your tire pressure by 5-10psi to help the tires grip better in the winter...

Sound like you already like the SILVER one better...so go with it..It's your money and your decision....

 

I've read here that it isn't difficult to change out speakers, but not sure if you want to add/run wire for addl speakers.

When you say basic, do you mean the ST trim level, or SLT? For me, the regular SLT version is perfect. Its got all the options that I would have ordered anyways. I remember looking at an ST truck with a friend, and she was underwhelmed. One moment in an SLT and she was thumbs up.

I'm trying to remember what options I've got. I do have the towing package. I like the heated electric towing mirrors - but can't remember if they come with the towing pkg or not. I don't have clearance lights, and I could go either way with them - no biggie to me. Its got Fog lights; I don't seem to use them much - but they are nice for those times I do use them. I've got the regular drivers seat (non-powered) and don't think I miss a powered seat. Since they're not leather, bun warmers aren't missed either.

My truck came with the 265 BFG's, and I've driven thru snow up to 21" with no issue. I couldn't pull out another fellow (chevy 4x4) in that snow, but I could drive through it easy enough.

Don't over analyze it. I comes to the point where you have to live with the truck for many years, and make those payments. Personally, I will pay more for a truck if its the one I really want, rather than having to drive a truck that is "sub-par" from what I really wanted only to save a few bucks a month.

My truck is outfitted better than what I would have ordered, and I'm GLAD I'm driving this one rather than the one I was going to order. I was going to order a red SLT SO automatic truck (HO auto's weren't invented yet), but absolutely love this Patriot Blue 6-shooter.

 

Ron, My 2003 came with the Infinity audio system (logo on each front door) and I was never happy with any of the speakers. I have already replaced the tweeters and the midranges with higher-end units more to my liking. I have yet to replace the 6x9's in the front doors but will when I make up my mind. Both of the front doors rattle at even the slightest increase of base. When I next go into those front door panels, I plan on doing what others on this forum say they had to do and install dynomat material inside the doors and mount the speakers inside their own speaker houses.
The speakers are easy to replace. There's three under the windshield dash cover not two (A tweeter at each corner and a midrange in the center). On Quad Cabs, each front door has one 6x9 oval (not round even though the door has a round grill). The back doors each have one 5 1/2" round speaker. Hope this helps, Nat

 

Both Are SLT. The cheaper one doesn't have the sport appearence which include the aluminum wheels.

I like the power seat with lumbar support in the better model. Also, the cheaper model doesn't have the sliding rear window, and thus is not tinted.

I'm probably leaning more towards the silver, though I don't care for the color--but like the one color bumper and sport grill.

If the red had the sport appearece it would be no question. One thing I did notice is that the silver was built in August 03, and the red in Nov 03.

 

I liked the chrome wheels and never cared for the Dodge aluminum wheels. I think I might like the lumbar support, but don't know for sure. I think my seat is very comfortable, but have read where some don't think so. To each his own.

OH yeah, I've got the rear slider and have never used it, other than to see if it really worked - it does. Tint? doesn't cost much aftermarket.

eeeeny, meeeny, miney, moe ...................

 

Get the silver one. You will be glad that you did.

 

If you run at 80 regularly, hands down - no question, go with the 3.73's. With 4.10's you will be constantly reaching for 7th gear. As others have posted, calling the speakers you get with the Infinity "premium speakers" is getting a little loose with the language.

Good luck.

 

My vote would be for the 3.73 if you run on the interstate alot. At 75 mine is at about 2400 rpm. I don't feel underpowered by any means but sometimes I look for that 7th gear. I guess I'll have to get bigger tires. The most important thing is get the truck you want the first time. It's much cheaper that way. If it's something you can change easily later don't worry about it (tires/stereo etc). You don't want to buy another truck just beacuse you're not happy with what you settled for. Shawn

 

unrelated to the gearing, are the TT mirrors heated?

Also, is oil consumption greater with the 4.10 as the motor works harder?

I also heard rumors that metalic paint as the silver w/3.73 has issues.