2009 6speed 5.3 Wi35"sth 35's

[LTZZ71]

I'm planning on getting a 6" lift and 35" tires for my 2009 silverado with the 6speed and 3.42's. What size gears should I go to? Is there anybody out the with the 6 speed tranny running 35's? If so what are you running. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Stevens03]

Having the 6-speed trans, 3.42s are ok,.. but 3.73's would be better.

[Matt_]

With the 6spd and 35s, I think 4.10s will be perfect. You'll have plenty of power for accelerating... and anything less than 4.10s you'll have trouble maintaining highway speeds in 6th gear with the 35s.

[music]

Just by the math, stock 265/70-17 tires are 31.6" dia. So, a 35" dia will increase the circumference by 35/31.6 = 1.11, giving a 3.42 x 1.11 = 3.79 gear (~3.73) to get you back to "stock". I don't have any idea how the 5.3/3.42 feels in 6th, since I haven't driven one yet, but it looks like too low a gear for anything under 65/70 mph to me.

[Matt_]

diameter is only one factor. weight, friction and wind resistance also play big roles esecially at highway speeds.

 

the 6spd has a .67 6th gear as opposed to the .70 OD gear in the 4 spd. having had a highway driven dd with 4.10s and 35s with the 4spd, i can tell you that 3.73s will be tough on the highway with the higher gearing in the 6spd.

 

if you're spending the money... get 4.10s or you'll regret it on the highway when you're constantly in 5th gear to maintain speed.