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  #1  
Old 03-26-2003, 12:54 AM
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phildog phildog is offline
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Help 4.10or 3.73's??

Hello All! I just ordered a 2003 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 CTD SO (I live in Ca) 4 speed Auto. I am a farmer & do alot of towing. I ordered it with 4.10 gears. I am worried about the MPG. Should I change my order or am I ok? Will the truck be fine towing with 3.73's?? Thanks!
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Old 03-27-2003, 01:35 AM
mopartec mopartec is offline
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3.73 will get a little better mileage. i have found diesels like to lug a little they dont like to be reved
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Old 03-31-2003, 09:35 AM
J-BODY J-BODY is offline
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If you are using it for more work than play, and the trailer weights are 9K+, and you have some grades to pull up, yes the 4.10's may be for you. I just bought a 4.10 equipped truck and while it does pull ok, I am definately getting them out of there. Out of od pulling a grade it pretty much is done at 40mph, and top end (if you want any mileage at all) is around 60-64mph (this keeps the rpm's in the 1900-2000 range). I have borrowed a 3.55 equipped truck (talking the older body style when the two choices were 4.10, 3.55) and was much more impressed with it's performance in my application.
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Old 04-08-2003, 07:41 PM
CumminsRam CumminsRam is offline
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With stock size tires, I cannot imagine you would ever have a problem towing anything you wanted. With that said, I might opt for 4.10's because of the automatic. It may feel a little sluggish when hooked to a big load.

I guess it is important to know how large of loads are you taking about and how often? Daily? If you are anything like the farmers in Michigan you will be towing some very large loads and the 4.10's might be a better choice.

If you will spend most of your time empty, and this truck will see a lot of on road use, the 3.73's are probably a better choice. You can always use 4 low to move large loads in the field and around the farm.
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Old 04-09-2003, 02:07 PM
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blowingsmoke blowingsmoke is offline
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I have the 3.55 in mine and I love em. I drove a truck with 4.10 first and didnt like it. Diesels will run better and get better mileage if you lug them a little. Not alot all the time, just alittle.

I can run mine on the interstate or in town and I still average about 430-460 miles to a tank. Now I have alot of modes done to mine. If you like the smoke you will pay at the pump. If you drive with some sen$e you should get 17-18 miles to the gallon.


Later Jason
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  #6  
Old 06-01-2003, 12:14 AM
BIG RED MACHINE BIG RED MACHINE is offline
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One thing to keep in mind here on this easy question is this.The new design motors(24 valve)like to be revved and make more efficent power by twisting them.The electronic motors are not a low rpm motor like the 12 valve cousins and need to be turned harder as they make peak HP and torque higher than the 12 valves did.Obviously,your truck your choice,but,you'll not go wrong with the shorter gear.....BRM
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Old 06-08-2003, 10:42 PM
340king 340king is offline
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Wink Personal Choice

It just may come down to personal choice. However, a friend of a friend hauls bikes for Arlen Ness all over the country. He pulls a 40' triple axle gooseneck car trailer at 80 mph. He has a 2000 or 2001CTD 4X4 and gets 11-12 mpg pulling the trailer. he has a performance chip in the computer. He is running 3.55:1 gears.

I plan to pull the same trailer with my '84 crewcab dually CTD 12V engine. I plan on putting 3.73:1 gears in the Dana/Spicer 70 rear as soon as I get the scratch for the ARB air locker. I have 4.10:1 now. Empty, I can smoke down the highway and still get 19 mpg. Loaded however, I struggle to go much over 75. I have to use so much throttle just to get the truck to 75 that there isn't much left to add for pulling. I got 17 mpg pulling an open car trailer 500 miles this past December in 20°F weather.

Oh yeah, I run a NV4500 trans with overdrive. At least it used to have overdrive. The nut slid off the fresh rebuilt tranny that is still under warranty and I haven't put the new one in yet. I just purchased a new 16 cm2 housing for the turbo, so that should help also. I will post the outcome of all the mods when they get done, along with a photo of the truck
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Old 06-08-2003, 10:50 PM
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dwc43 dwc43 is offline
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At the dealer we ordered all auto's with 4.10 gears. It will save your tranny in the long run. The tranny's are not that stout and dont need to be lugged around while under load so 4.10 with an auto is the only way to go.
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  #9  
Old 06-09-2003, 10:08 AM
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phildog phildog is offline
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Thanks for all the replies! I got the 3.73's. I have been running the truck for a month now & I love it! I think I made the right choice with the 3.73's. This truck has alot of power and the motor does not really lug much. I do think if I was in the mountains you would need to go with the 4.10's. I get about 10-11 mpg when pulling the heavy loads. I also found out the best fuel mileage is @ 1800 rpm. Any lower or higher & mileage goes down to about 9 mpg.
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  #10  
Old 07-05-2003, 12:03 AM
BIG RED MACHINE BIG RED MACHINE is offline
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Glad to hear you like the truck.....BRM
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