Need a sensible solution on my trucks gearing.
 

Alright guys I need a good few solid answers on what I should do with my truck... These 4.10's are killing me! I can't highway drive like this no longer. I really want to know what the best thing I should do realistically, and money wise.

Question #1, would upgrading my tires to 35's and a leveling kit help out at all? I've heard it'll maybe only change it around 100-150rpm and that's also what the online rpm calculators are telling me.

Question #2, would you go with 3.54's or 3.73's? I understand that 3.54's will help out a boat load, but if I were to ever upgrade to 35's then would it be a dog coming off a stop light? Not saying I want 35's though because I really like the stance of 33's on a not so tall truck because I'm a short guy and am already jumping into the drivers seat haha.

Question #3, I see most guys on here seem to want 4.10's, I guess for towing but why is this unless you were towing heavy heavy heavy? My rpm's are at around 1900 when i'm doing 60mph and I just can't stand it.

Overall would it really be worth doing a 3.54 swap? The parts alone are going to cost me $600+ all in for a ring and pinion and master install kit for front and back dana 60's, and then I would try and do the swap myself as I don't want to spend $1000 in labour like the local shops have told me it would be. Need to make up a solution here soon for myself guys so what do you all think?

i am one of those guys that swapped to 4.10's. if i only had this truck to drive i would have kept the 3.54's. the 4.10s do kill you on the highway but pulling is a totally different story. stop light to stop light is faster, trans temps are way down, black smoke is prolly cut in half. only con is crusing speed.

with 3.54's my truck would be right above 70mph at 1800-2000rpms cant exactly remember. now my truck is just like you have posted. towing is absolutely dooable it was just harder and hotter and less appealing on things. you will still be able to turn 35's but it will strain the driveline that much more.

a good median would be 3.73's but they werent a factory option. so swapping a set of donor axles is WAY WAY cheaper. if you have your gears changed plan for at least $1000 per axle for a shop to do it. may be a bit cheaper but depending on the gear sets you choose and or a locker, prices can go way up with gears.

i have a d70 out of my 95 with 3.54 gears if you are interested.

So do you think running 35's with 4.10's would drop it around 100-150 rpm or less or more?

you could do the math but just an inch bigger tire will give you very little difference. it would be a step in the right direction as far as a higher cruising speed but not the best solution. fuel mileage/performance

could go to a local junk yard or the for sale section and grab a used dana 60 and 80 with 3.55's for round $700 for both ... than you just have to bolt them in

i went from 245 75 16 to 35's and it didnt make a noticable difference.im going to 354's.
a 5 speed truck is perfect with 354 but takeoffs are slowere in an auto