I am going to be purchasing a new truck, either an 05 cummins quad cab auto swb or an 05 chevy in the same configuration (crew cab short bed) with the duramax/allison. However, while configuring both trucks online, I have noticed that I can't buy the chevy with a snow plow prep package if I get the crew cab...is this because of the IFS not being able to handle the weight on the front end? Also, dodge claims the 2500 quad cab swb with the cummins tows the same with the 3.73 rear and the 4.10 rear...if this is the case why would I want to consider the 4.10s?

Thanks!

The crew cab already has the heaviest front end thus no plow package. I had an 8 foot fisher on mine. With the torsion bars turned up about 1/2 inch and front end re-aligned the plow angled was about 4 inches off the ground on edge of blade. With my dodge the plow sits about 5-6 inches off the ground with out changing anything and using the same plow. My gmc had 373 gears and were fine for towing and my dodge is similar......can't remember the exact ratio. At highway speeds I don't think i would want the 4.10 gears, but I don't tow heavy on a regular basis. Usually a 26 foot camper with 1200 lbs of four wheelers or a kubota L3010, loaded tires,loader and attachment on a 2500# trailer.

The dodge does not get stuck bottoming out on snow like the gmc and the gmc seems to push large amount of snow without the plow steering the truck better. (GMC did not have limited slip rear end and dodge does however)

4.10s are better for heavy towing,a lot of guys tow heavier than recommended,the 4.10 are better for that.Dodge has a tall 1st gr in the autos 2.45,and a atall od .69,so 4.10s are actually very nice for plowing and driving.Above 75 they arent the hot setup.Also many guys lift these trucks and run 35-37" tires,for them the 4.10s work out perfect.I run the 4.10 and i love it 99% of the time,I run 285 tires daily,they are real close to ideal with them,,and with 315 tires they are perfect.