Re-geared and free-spinned the 3500 4x4 diesel

[skyking]

yes. I was glad I did them when I did. I had one axle u-joint bad and one that was going. Now I am new across the entire front axle, new bearings seals u-joints. Friday I get to do some 2wd low maneuvering on our first camp outing.

[ctmaybury@yahoo.com]

How much does a new front and rear ring and pinion gear swap cost? Did you do the swap or take it to a shop? Both of my dodge trucks have 355 gearing that is apropriate for my travel trailer towing. If I went with a taller gear, it might take me out of the optimum efficiency range on the highway. Free spin sounds nice avoiding a lot of driveline friction. In my opinion, you have the best generation dodge. The p7100 injection pump is superior to he vp44 in my gen dodge. I ppumped my 99, but not my 98 yet.

[skyking]

Sorry for the confusion, but this truck is a 2007 4x4. The gears and master rebuild kits added up to 1200 for both ends. A friend has the skills and tools. I will be selling the 96 in my Sig.
3.55 and auto are good if you have a mystery switch. I would not tow without an exhaust brake. It will be the next purchase after fresh injectors. The 3rd gen brakes are so much better too.

[ctmaybury@yahoo.com]

1200 is worth the mod. I was expecting something in the 4k dollar range. Rear end work is not for the beginner. Common rail gen dodges are supperior to the old ones I have. Alot of electronic tunners available. Future plans to put 3rd gen brakes on my rigs. What is the mystery switch? Is that a torque converter lockup? Fresh injectors should be good for mileage. I too want an exhaust brake, especially on the auto.

[skyking]

yes the mystery switch is a 3 way control of TC lockup. 3 modes:
Stock behavior
No lockup ever
Manually locked

That last one can be dangerous, you need to deselect that before you stop.

[kafer65]

I'm joining the diesel ranks again. Picked up an early 91 2WD auto W250 with 3.07 rear (I think) 135k showing nonfunctioning speedo odo at an auction. It need lots TLC and I'm a little nervous about the auto since it does have a 5th wheel ball mounted. Rotted floors, no headlights or heater control and a very leaky VE44 throttle shaft but great other than that! That auto is big mpg penalty, I know. I hope I can get high teens with it though. Love them inline 6s and 1st gens.

[skyking]

congrats! That should be no problem, more likely a solid 21 MPG at 55 or so.

[slowmover]

What's the latest? LTX tires installed? Better idea of overall FE now?

[skyking]

I rarely drive the truck without the 5th wheel attached to it. When I do, I get 22 or so on freeway miles. It has been great with the new gears. I towed a 9000 pound forklift home on a 14K tilt trailer yesterday, and did not miss the lower gears at all. Granny does the trick off the line.
Still running M&S tires on it. I have some michelins on rims for the winter that are LTX.

[skyking]

Update on the truck:
I planned on overhauling the engine next winter. We knew it was on borrowed time when we purchased it.
Somebody foreclosed on the loan :P
Last week I started it up on a relatively cold morning, and she ran like crap. Sounded like 5 cylinders, smoking, vibration. Times up!
I drove it on my errand anyway, what could it hurt? It drove OK, and the only telltale was a little vibration.
On my way back home somebody rear ended me
Kick a guy while he is down........no damage done other than possibly the bumper itself, and it is hard to tell. It is not a virgin bumper.
So I drove it to my friend's place Monday about 100 miles away, who has the experience, knowledge, a lift, big shop and tools. Ran pretty good and the lie-o-meter stayed above 26 MPG most of the way there.
By that night I had drained all fluids, removed the drivelines, transfer case, transmission, clutch, bumper, core support and all the radiators and condensers and intercoolers.
We pulled the engine the next day and took it to my trusted rebuilder in Canada.
About the transmission: It had some nasty looking shards on the magnetic drain plug, and a decision was made to overhaul it.
The rebuilder I went with has both the early and late G56 transmissions in stock and he does not care which one I give him, so I am getting a late G56 with higher gear ratios throughout. OD went from .79 to .74