Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Axle Ratio Decision

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
For all you guys with the 2019 and newer 3500 with HO and Aisin trans. Trying to decide between the 3.73 (standard) and the 4.10. What is your RPM at 60 MPH. Let me know what ratio you are running. Thanks and stay safe.
 

MikeXM

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2019
Messages
821
Reaction score
757
Here are a few pointers:
3.73: 1530rpm @ 60mph, 1920rpm @ 75mph and 2190rpm @ 85mph.
4.10: 1690rpm @ 60mph, 2120rpm @ 75mph and 2410rpm @ 85mph.
All assuming 30.8in effective diameter tires which sounds about right for the stock tires (31.8in specs).

I went with the 3.73 as I make a lot of unloaded miles. I wanted to save a bit on fuel so it did make sense.
But from what users have reported, it doesn't seems like I saved much. My best unloaded tank so far is 15.4mpg and other have reported similar with the 4.10.

Would I still buy the same? I think I would. Do I feel I could have used the 4.10 for towing instead? Not at all so far. But would the 4.10 be out of question? Nope.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
MikeXM, That is exactly the info I was looking for. Most of my miles are towing a 20K+ fifth wheel RV. Since the HO peak torque is at 1800 RPM the 4.10 will get me fairly close to that. I will order the truck with the Max Tow Package with includes the other options I want. Thanks a lot.
 

boatdude1

Active Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
110
Reaction score
107
For all you guys with the 2019 and newer 3500 with HO and Aisin trans. Trying to decide between the 3.73 (standard) and the 4.10. What is your RPM at 60 MPH. Let me know what ratio you are running. Thanks and stay safe.
I have a 2019 3500 DRW with the H. O. And Aisin with the 4.10’s. At 60 mph I am around 1700 rpm with stock tires. I get about 14-15 mpg unloaded. Never been over 16 mpg yet. 9000 miles so far.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
boatdude1, how is your fuel mileage pulling heavy? I usually run between 60 and 65 pulling.
 

Brutal_HO

The Mad Irishman
Staff member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
12,197
Reaction score
21,830
Location
Douglas County, CO
Which is pretty much what I showed in your other thread....

 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
Brutal_HO. Totally missed that chart. Sorry man. Would not have posted this thread had I seen it.
 

boatdude1

Active Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
110
Reaction score
107
boatdude1, how is your fuel mileage pulling heavy? I usually run between 60 and 65 pulling.
I only tow our toy hauler with the truck. It is about 15,000 lbs loaded. I get about 10 mpg at 60 mph.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
If Tow/Haul locks the transmission into 5th gear, then Brutal_HO's chart might point to 3.73 as a better choice since peak torque is reached around 60 mph. Just want to make the best decision as I will be with this truck for a while.
 

Brutal_HO

The Mad Irishman
Staff member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
12,197
Reaction score
21,830
Location
Douglas County, CO
If Tow/Haul locks the transmission into 5th gear, then Brutal_HO's chart might point to 3.73 as a better choice since peak torque is reached around 60 mph. Just want to make the best decision as I will be with this truck for a while.

TH doesn't lock out any gears. The truck will upshift into 6th in TH if conditions are right. You have to use the ERS (Electronic Range select) to lock out 6th or any desired upper gear.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
OK. Great. 4.10 it is according the guys recommendations as well as your chart. Hard to believe I am going to spend five times for a truck what I paid for my first house. LOL Yeah, I am THAT old.
 

Brutal_HO

The Mad Irishman
Staff member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
12,197
Reaction score
21,830
Location
Douglas County, CO
Yea, IMHO, 65 in 6th gear is going to put you right at 1800 if that's what you want. Not sure if that's where everyone is getting the best mileage, but it's the peak torque spot.

Again, lugging 21K I don't think I would want the 3.73 in the dually but it also depends WHERE you tow. I tow in the mountain west and the 3.73 does well for my setup but I'm at just under 16K and also upsized the tires, giving me an effective 3.55 ratio, something you're not likely to do with the dually. Seems to run your 60-65MPH with that weight and 3.73 you'd have to drop a gear and run higher revs.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
Many years ago I was taught in mechanics school that peak torque was the point of maximum efficiency. Of course that is before diesels were big even in the big trucks.
Not a lot of hills between Detroit MI and Brownsville TX. But if I decide to go west, I hear there are some big hills there. LOL
 

Brutal_HO

The Mad Irishman
Staff member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
12,197
Reaction score
21,830
Location
Douglas County, CO
There's always the possibility the wife will want a bigger trailer at some point... If it's your "forever" truck, you have to factor that as well.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
I sure hope not. She is busy trying to overload this one already. With two ten thousand pound axles, she probably has some room for more junk in this one. :eek:
 
Last edited:

Bozo

Self-banned
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
821
OK. Great. 4.10 it is according the guys recommendations as well as your chart. Hard to believe I am going to spend five times for a truck what I paid for my first house. LOL Yeah, I am THAT old.
Me too.
 

CdnHO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
1,476
Reaction score
1,676
Location
Ontario
These trucks are sure a lot more complicated than my first car. Six banger with three on the tree.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top