freight train

I am currently looking at buying a 05 3500 6spd 4x4 with 4.10's. Ive never had either ratio (always had 3.54's). This purchase is going to be used to tow my 28' camper (roughly 9K lbs empty). I would say thats what its going to used for 95% of the time. My wife and I want to start growing our family so my 92 club cab will no longer do. The quad cab is so nice. Well back to my question. I was originally looking for 3.73's but just so happened to come across this 05 that is so clean,nice, and down right perfect for what I am looking for. But it has 4.10's. I know I want to use this to tow my camper on some longer trips like maybe up into Canada or down into Tennessee or South Carolina. Since fuel economy is a top priority to me on these longer trips should I keep looking until I find a nice clean truck with 3.73's? Or is the difference in fuel mileage not so noticable between the two ratio's. Say maybe one to two mpg difference? Sorry as I know this has probably been asked several times but after using the seach and not having any luck I thought I would reask. Thank you

Guardrail

If you are just towing 9K I'd hold out for the .373 ratio. If you think you may get a bigger camper in the future (it tends to happen), get the .410. Towing 95% of the time, I doubt you'll see a big difference between the 2 ratios.

Guardrail

wyosteve

The 4.10's will have you running at higher rpm's, but a bigger set of tires will get you back down if you aren't happy with that gearing.

CrazyCooter

If the trans is an NV5600 it wouldn't be too bad, but the G56 would be horrible with stock tires. 0.76 vs 0.86 OD ratio.

I had 3.73's and 37" tires with G56......It was nice till I went over 23K gross. New fiver grossing over 28K sometimes and 4.10's are a must in the hills now.

freight train

Thanks Cooter, I already purchased the truck. Its so nice. I have already started my aftermarket list. I am not touching the engine or electronics. I am considering a MBRP 4" or 5" straight exhaust and a 5" billscustom intake. Just to let the Cummins breath better. Front and rear Ranch Hand bumpers.

FiverBob

I have been extemely pleased with my 03 with 4.10 and six speed. I needed that ratio to handle my 16K rig, but the mileage is great. I know this sounds crazee, but if I behave, I can get 18 - 20 in town. Mileage with the very high fiver is about 12 - 12.5 on the road pending speed. Solo on the highway again is dependent upon speed. 50 will give me 23. 60 - 20. 70 - 18. No problems with it at all - - uhhh, except the odd problem with the tail light assembly that melts. But, that is another story - - replaced them both and all is fine - - that's it in 10 years.

Bob

freight train

Hi Fiver, my wife and I were just down in Florida. I had to go down to Pompano Beach for a week for work. She tagged along for a nice vaca.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I agree the mpg hopefully wont be to bad if I drive responsibly. Even though it was cleaned yesterday when I picked it up. I took it down to the car wash just to spray the underside. Wanted to be sure all the nasty salt stuff was gone

CrazyCooter

Congrats!

Which tras does it have?

torquefan

Very nice!! You'll have to post a pic with it parked alongside the old truck.

freight train

I will torque, I just bought a red sport grille. As soon as I buy a pair of RH bumpers it will match both my red Cummins RC and W350.

Cooter it has a NV5600

ridofpwrstroke

The old version of the G56 had a .79 od ratio. Newer ratio is .74.

CrazyCooter

OK cool!

Been a while since seeing the numbers.....still not tall enough regardless!

Ggp424

Hey guys, kind of the same experience. Checked and looked for rigs, found 04 Laramie excellent price, super clean. Some banks stuff. Only getting 13 in town,17 town/highway, got 24 on highway. My buddy has a 06 17 town, pulling 18. I towed last weekend, mostly highway got 11.5 running about 60 mph. Got 4.10z,pulling trailer weighing fully loaded maybe 8k. Does anybody know if changing rear gears out is like a Ford 9 inch or not that easy. Thanks guys

ridofpwrstroke

Ford 9" has a third member. Not even close. Dont spend your money on changing gears. the difference is 100 rpms between 3.73's and 4.10's. Not worth the jump. 3.55's to 4.10's was worth it for me on last truck. I thought about regearing to 4.10's on my current truck but for the cost of gears it doesnt pay. Never pay for itself. I currently have the .79 overdrive and 3.73's, but I use the gear vendors and I wish i could be at 1850rpms at 70 towing. Im at 1750 right now and just a little too low.

CoastalDav

Several years ago I pulled a 24x10 Airboat from Orlando to Panama City Fl.
My truck came with 3:73's result of tow, 7.3 miles/gallon and engine load of 78%. That was like pulling a open parachute.

Changed rear to 4:10's the following month. Pulled that same airboat again same route, 8.4 mpg and engine load was 54% at the same speed.

I wanted 4:30's but no one made them.

Dave