When I got my '04, Dodge had stopped offering the factory 20's with 3.55's - 3.92's became the minimumThe trucks of my era that were equipped with 20" wheels usually got the 3.92 differential gear. Mine had 17" wheels originally but the dealer changed them to a 22" wheel with a 265-40-22. Those were some rubber band thin profile tires! I have 305-40-22s now, the actual size that the SRT-10 trucks had. Those also had 4.10 gear axles though.
That is why the added leverage of the gearing is a concern.
I thought this was a 5 speed transmission but NOOOooo...Oh, and PS - with the 545RFE and it's lousy gear ratios, I regret not getting like 4.10's now.
I had the same truck you have, except it came with 20 inch wheels. I put 22 inches wheels on it with the 392 gears and loved it. Go with a new 5.7 and 392 gears and you'll be happy.It was/is a work truck.
I'm on the edge of retirement OR working a bit part time. I still use the truck for 90% of my driving.
It is smart to keep it simple, I get that. My thoughts dance all around the place from the 6.1 to the stroked 5.7.....
A stock 5.7 would probably feel pretty strong compared to this tired one. A switch to deeper gears would give more response too.
You have a 545RFE in that 2007. Mine has it in my 2004....unless yours wasn't originally a hemi?I thought this was a 5 speed transmission but NOOOooo...
The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE.
- Gear Ratios:
- 1st 3.00:1
- 2nd 1.67:1
- 545RFE only: 2nd Prime 1.50:1
- 3rd 1.00:1
- 4th 0.75:1
- Reverse 3.00:1
Yikes! B-b-b-but Uncle Tony will say it CAN'T SURVIVE! Bad oiling design!5.7. Blower. View attachment 1113207