Considering Re-gearing and changing limited slip...

[Tommy13]

Looking for some advice and discussion as I ponder swapping the 3.42s in my 2013 Ram CTD to possibly 4.10s along with a new locker or limited slip option.  Not something I've ever done, but I refuse to be beaten and I'll never learn how by paying someone. 

I've run the handy ratio calculator Don posted and feel like the 4.10s should put me about where I'd like to be running 35s.  It looks like the Yukon Dura Grip might be the best option for me.  I'll be deleting and programming the truck in the new few months and I think this is the perfect project to go along with those updates. 

Should I be looking at additional upgrades for the front diff? 

Any advice, warnings, teachin' or criticism would be greatly appreciated.   

[stlaser]

I'd pm Tate, link the question as well here on the forum. He's technically the go to guy for gears etc.

[Tommy13]

Done!

[EL TATE]

Considering the usefulness of this to all concerned, I've decided to respond to your PM publicly here. I think it will be a good reference point later on. https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx is obviously my calculator, but the one Don posted is essentially the same. using your 6 speed trans ratios, and est 75MPH, 4.11 will put you right around 2190 w/ 35" tires. From what Koot and others have mentioned, this seems to be the ideal wonder-ratio for cummins. I would recommend the duragrip if the truck spends most of it's life on the street, but that being said, there's nothing stronger and more reliable than the Grizzly locker for ultimate strength and traction if you're more off road than on, or are just preferring that locker feel and sound.

[Tommy13]

Thanks Tate!

The truck is low miles, under 25k.  Is there any reason to consider replacing the bearings or is a basic install kit all that is needed?  I want to do it right, but there's no need to waste money either.  I also see a huge price difference between the Yukon and Chrysler PN.  Is it just normal OEM price gouging or is there a difference in the parts? 

Sounds like the duragrip will be the right fit for me.  Any other recommendations?

[JR]

I have set up several 3rds and was never trained in it. I think I have at last average skills for someone who builds and repairs autos. From the sound of it you might also.

I wish youtube would have been around when I started. I read so much that is so easy to find now. Tate will set you up, he did me and I have a at least a couple to do hear.

[EL TATE]

Thanks Tate!

The truck is low miles, under 25k.  Is there any reason to consider replacing the bearings or is a basic install kit all that is needed?  I want to do it right, but there's no need to waste money either.  I also see a huge price difference between the Yukon and Chrysler PN.  Is it just normal OEM price gouging or is there a difference in the parts? 

Sounds like the duragrip will be the right fit for me.  Any other recommendations?

A little bit of both. The Yukon's are a higher quality aftermarket than others, but also OEM spec. and the OE is just stupid money for no real reason. I would recommend at least pinion bearing kits, and make sure to contact me directly on that stuff. I have discounts on forum builds.

[Flyin6]

Reconsider the Yukon Grizzly full time locker. I have been running one for years now. It is beyond awesome. A real locker and unlike the detroit locker engagement jerky business, I almost can never feel when it disengages or reengages. Just pulled a heavy trailer in 4WD a mile through muk and loose soil and rocks today. I don't think I spun once.

[Tommy13]

I do hate it when this one decides to slam into lock on a wet road or in one of those notorious mulch beds. 

I know you've mentioned yours eats rear tires Don, but at least you know it's locked.

[EL TATE]

It's a real 6 in one hand 1/2 dozen in the other situation; the Duragrip is a classic passive limited slip and there will be more movement between the tires than a full locker like the Grizzly. But for the average commuter the locker can be more aggressive than needed/wanted. Don't get me wrong, I love the thing for all out traction and brute strength, but the Duragrip will more than get the job done for 70% of the crowd out there so I say it's up to personal preference. For me and my usage, (daily driver, towing camper, minimal off road use, pretty much stock), I would take the limited slip option. If I were tuned up at all, and had bigger than stock tires and went camping in more rugged terrain, I would do the locker.

[Tommy13]

The plan is for this truck to be pushing 1000 lb-ft of torque at some point before too long.  It's sounding more and more like the locker would be the way to go for long-term durability as well as insurance when I do venture into some wet grass.  All joking aside the truck only sees anything near what many of the guys here would consider off road when I take the kids shooting or hunting.  Rough farm roads/trails and across fields.   

[JR]

Think you answered your own question there.

I went with versatility, truetracs on both ends.

[Tommy13]

I think you're right JR.  I certainly don't want to spend all the money and time required to get the proper ratio in there and then just have to break it open again to replace parts once I apply all of that twist to the rear.

[Flyin6]

The plan is for this truck to be pushing 1000 lb-ft of torque at some point before too long.  It's sounding more and more like the locker would be the way to go for long-term durability as well as insurance when I do venture into some wet grass.  All joking aside the truck only sees anything near what many of the guys here would consider off road when I take the kids shooting or hunting.  Rough farm roads/trails and across fields.   

Looking at this from a logical decision making perspective the locker is the correct choice.

The limited slip axle works great for everyday usage, and if you never upgraded torque and didn't get into a more extreme situation like, pulling something off road when you might be spinning a tire, in low range, when a souped up diesel is coming into its own, then will the limited slip be ready to answer a 5,000 ft lbs torque application.

So for the 1%-3% off road extreme duty cycle possibility, only the Grizzly will suffice. And for that reason as they say (sort of) in Shark Tank, the LS is out

See, wasn't that easy!

[Tommy13]

Too easy! 

Then when you add the odd application of torque I get with the stock LS to the picture it becomes much more clear.  I will say the stock diff has unexpectedly made the tailgate try to pass the front bumper on rain slick roads when it suddenly engaged breaking the tires loose suddenly.  Added torque will only make this problem worse.  I would like it to be more predictable. 

[Flyin6]

Ahh, my bad...I thought you had a big ole dirty max torque monster under the hood. So is it a 3/4 or a 1/2 ton? The 3/4T would have a 14 bolt which, with a LS would hold a gasser pretty easy. My truck obviously has the 11.5 AAM M1A2 Abrams main battle tank rear axle!

[Tommy13]

My truck is a 6.7 Cummins.  When said LS I was meaning Limited Slip not a GM LS Small Block.  My truck is equipped with the 11.5 AAM in the rear. 

Improper usage of acronyms.  I'll take my beating now.

[EL TATE]

My truck is a 6.7 Cummins.  When said LS I was meaning Limited Slip not a GM LS Small Block.  My truck is equipped with the 11.5 AAM in the rear. 

Improper usage of acronyms.  I'll take my beating now.

BOOM POW WHAMMO!
I think that will do;-) With the added information I will revise my previous statement and agree with Don and others. Grizzly is the only option for you here.

[JR]

Nobody breaks things like BD. Must be an armee thing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Flyin6]

Nobody breaks things like BD. Must be an armee thing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

...Norm does!

Norm breaks things like I do, maybe even worse!  ;-))

[JR]

Well, maybe he does. But he has spares.

[Tommy13]

I would point out that Don hasn't broken that Grizzly Locker.  Good enough for me.

[stlaser]

Mulch beds don't break lockers FYI...... ;D

[Flyin6]

Mulch beds don't break lockers FYI...... ;D

Even a deep one?

Ya know with a bit of a hump and all covered with that awful triple ground up stuff?

A bed like that is flat out deadly!

[KensAuto]

If he can kill 2.....wait. ....I mean 3 tractors on a flat piece of grassland,  I think he's capable of wiping out a locker in a mulch bed. The fact that he hasn't speaks volumes on the durability of the Yukon.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Tommy13]

That's my thinking as well Ken.  Besides, the best parts are the ones you never think about after the install.  They just work.

[Flyin6]

...I'm taking some hits here!

[JR]

OOOOOOOOhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Flyin6]

OOOOOOOOhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Where are you while I'm gettin' killed here?

Thought you were supposed to "Protect and defend!"

[KensAuto]

You don't need any help. You have enough wit (whit?) to take us all out Big guy!

[JR]

He does have the master delete button.

Thing is, we haven't DOT'd up a thread for so long we are due.

[Dustoff35]

I've known Don for...23, 24 years?  He breaks just about everything; you have no idea... Too much to list.

The fact that his Grizzly lockers are still operating flawlessly, speaks volumes.

[OldKooT]

I am really not that hard on stuff. I have only broken a few 14 bolts, and one Dana 80 in recent years. Well I guess I did bust up a 205 transfer case recently also.

This new truck I am building I am considering a spool actually... now those are predictable and rarely fail LoL 

If I can score a part time job as a Door greeter or something I may spring for a Grizzly and see if I can bust that LoL

[EL TATE]

I'm tellin' ya, door greeters are where it's at ;) Don't forget, any write up on the forum gets significant discounts below the $$$$ retail numbers due to the great publicity and marketing value that this site offers. And because I just like most of yas.