design

I am picking my 2003 2500 HO tomorrow does any one know if the gear ratio is still marked on the Diff. or is there any other way to tell what the rear end ratio is. :P It doesn't show on the sticker.

DF5152

if its not listed on the sticker its probably the standard ratio 3.73.

pappyman

It will be on your build ticket...also maybe on a tag under the hood not sure of the 03's but I have a line ticket on my hood with componet info

Jonesey

DF5152 is correct. If 4:10 is not listed as an option on the window sticker it does have the 3;73s.<br>

DieselDaze

Any idea why DC decided to go with the 3:73 as a &quot;default&quot; gear set?<br>I would think the 4:10's are a better &quot;all-around&quot; gear ratio?<br><br>Did they do it for mileage? <br><br>Just curious is all.<br><br>Rich

Jonesey

On the Gen 2s DC used the Dana axles. The standard gearing was 3:55. Now on the Gen 3s DC is using the American Axle with the 3:73 as the standard gearing. Maybe American Axle doesn't offer the 3:55 ratio. As far as using the 4:10s as the default ratio, I don't think it would fly. Not everyone is going to tow heavy loads through the mountains and want a truck geared that low. DC would have alot of unhappy campers on their hands if they used 4:10 as the default ratio.

TON4FUN

I think the ratios should be the other way around. Here is one unhappy camper with the 3.73's. The more I read up on the 4.10's the more I think that is all they should include with the HD Auto, SO or HO configuration. Who is going to buy a 2500 and or 3500 diesel and not tow with it. If you want a put-put truck get a hemi or a 1500 or better yet a dakota. <br><br>If a truck is not setup right to tow in the first place it makes the truck have a bad image and gives the buyer a bad taste in their mouth. I went through a ton of headaches with the 3.73's down to having to replace the truck. I know that if I had the 4.10's in my SO now I would not to be dealing with getting another truck.

spots

I am one of those who &quot;putt putt&quot; with a diesel truck. I travel alot and put on high mileage. I only tow a trailer once in a while, load the truck all the time, like the fuel economy, the durability, and the resale. Wanna know what a gasser with 300k is worth?? Nothing. Wanna know what a diesel is worth with the same mileage?? Lots. Just because your truck is not spec'd correctly for your application don't force me to get shi*ty fuel economy with a 4:10. I'd even like a lower rear end for increased fuel economy. And if DC built a 1500 diesel I would be driving one. I'd even take an F150 diesel for that matter.<br><br>Paul<br>'03 quad 4x2 diesel with a barnyard tranny(the way I like it)<br>2nd diff (they don't work too well without oil)

alabat

OK one thing at a time. You can find the rear end ratio on the sticker in the glove box. also the 3:73 is 10.5 inch and the 4:10 is 11.5inch. I think that is the right size but the 4.10 is definitily bigger.<br><br>I believe the correct reason for the gear change was the want to go to 17inch rims &amp; tires. There is a website some where that will tell you what is the revolution per mile for different gears and tire sizes. I think that with the 3.73 and 17&quot; rims you wind up about the same as the 3.55. But I won't swear to it

FireNhole

Rear Differential size is 11.5&quot; in all 3500s 3.73 or 4.10 ratio the question is if it its the same in 2500 configuration. :

Nevada

All 2500 HO trucks come with the 11.5&quot; regardless of ratio. Although I tow occasionally, count me as another putt putt driver that would gladly take the 3.55 ratio if it was still available. I would guess that all truck manufacturers will offer as standard equipment whatever drivetrain combination offers the best mileage in order to meet federal CAFE standards.<br><br>Cheers.

alabat

OK once again into it<br>The 2500's with the auto have a 10.5. Thats what I got!<br>I believe that if it is a stick shift or HO than it will have the 11.5. Now that may change with the advent of the new 48re auto.<br><br>As to gear ratio. If you go to the 03' engine and drivetrain section of the forum and go back a couple of months there was a discussion on this subject and the engine rpm's with the 02 axle ratio &amp; 16&quot; tires vs the 03 axle ratio and 17&quot; tires. The engine rpm's are almost identical.

Jonesey

Count me in as another put-put (putt-putt) driver. For the limited towing I did with my 01.5 HO six shooter with 3:55s and now the 03 with the 3:73 ratio, I couldn't be happier. The largest thing I have towed or will tow is a 26 foot enclosed car trailer. To each his own. I sure don't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers. Equip the truck to suit your needs and enjoy. ;D

LonCray

I'm another put-put. I got the truck for mileage and power - and I'm not towing a thing just now (though I load the bed up every now and again). I specifically didn't get the 4.10's, though I would have if I were going to tow regularly. As Jonesey says, equip to suit your own needs and enjoy!

TON4FUN

I did'nt mean to affend anyone I guess my statement was a bit harsh. I don't want to push folks into catagories. I do just as much city driving (unloaded) as the next guy. I guess what I'm getting at is that if someone is to buy one of these trucks you would think they would be able to tow a decent load (8K) without problems. If your a putt-putt (thanks for the correction) driver and one day you go to pull a heavy load with your truck and you notice it does'nt pull very good, has a hard time maintaining speed, does'nt take grades very well, and gets horrible gas mileage 8-9 MPG) well I'd be very upset. I guess I'm still ticked off about buying a 1 ton truck that can't handle a 8K load very well with the gears on board. I assumed, thats what I did wrong, that a one ton truck no matter what the setup would be able to pull an 8K load like its not back there. It will pull it just won't pull like you would expect.

I know, I know I should get over it and move on. :'(