09 Ext Cab 5.3 4x4 4 Speed Or 2010 6 Speed?

[cwmoore1]

There a few 09's extended cab Z71's left with 3.73 rear ends. Is it worth the extra money to get the 2010 with 6 speed and 3.08? Is there that much difference in the mileage between the 5.3 4 speed and 6 speed with 3.08? Any problems with the 6 speed 3.08's with gear hunting, power, reliability?

[Stevens03]

I believe the jury is still out on the 3.08 gears... GM did that for better mileage. IMO I think the 6-speeds going to be a better option, but personally wouldn't like the 3.08 gears. If you ever want to tow anything, your going to be limited I'd think. I'd see if you can at least find a 6-speed with 3.42 gears.

 

And Welcome to the site.

[music]

There a few 09's extended cab Z71's left with 3.73 rear ends. Is it worth the extra money to get the 2010 with 6 speed and 3.08? Is there that much difference in the mileage between the 5.3 4 speed and 6 speed with 3.08? Any problems with the 6 speed 3.08's with gear hunting, power, reliability?

 

How much extra $$?

[rodram]

... my concern with this choice would primarily be ... can I still trust a 4L60E 4-sp transmission, knowing its overall performance history over the past 15-18 years.... it is OLD technology, and a piece of machinery that has survived somehow despite it's weaknesses... (if you buy a truck with this transmission you need to budget for a complete transmission rebuild at or around 100,000 to 140,000 miles) ... maybe you can get the truck cheap enough to consider this.... or maybe just get rid of it to someone else before the trans problems start to show up ... this is my opinion, and I am not trying to upset any 4L60E lovers......

 

... now GM clouds the decision for me by putting in 3.08 gears with the 6-sp ... but if I were buying a new truck I would still look for a package that had the 6 sp transmission AND 3.73 gears, because my prime justification for owning a truck is the ability to pull a big travel trailer, even if it is only once in a while.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

For 2010 I believe you can still get the 3.73 gears ONLY WITH the Max Trailoring package which requires the 6.2. However, you will NOT be able to get the Z71 Package. If you do go with the Z71 package, I believe you have the option of getting 3.42 or the 3.08 but there is not an option for 3.73.

[rodram]

For 2010 I believe you can still get the 3.73 gears ONLY WITH the Max Trailoring package which requires the 6.2. However, you will NOT be able to get the Z71 Package. If you do go with the Z71 package, I believe you have the option of getting 3.42 or the 3.08 but there is not an option for 3.73.

 

+1 ... from reading the 2010 guide a few weeks ago, I understand the options the same way as described above.... and the overall GVW on the Z71 is a little less than on the Max Trailering (7200# vs 7300#, I think..)

[Badass69]

For 2010 I believe you can still get the 3.73 gears ONLY WITH the Max Trailoring package which requires the 6.2. However, you will NOT be able to get the Z71 Package. If you do go with the Z71 package, I believe you have the option of getting 3.42 or the 3.08 but there is not an option for 3.73.

 

+1 ... from reading the 2010 guide a few weeks ago, I understand the options the same way as described above.... and the overall GVW on the Z71 is a little less than on the Max Trailering (7200# vs 7300#, I think..)

 

 

 

Normal non NHT trucks get a 7000 lb GVW as a 4X4 whereas the NHT trucks are 7200 lbs. I opted to get the NHT package for performance reasons moreso than anything to do with towing a trailer If I could have gotten 3.73 gearing in a Sierra All Terrain I would have ordered that. However you cannot so I chose to get the NHT package to get the 3.73 gearing coupled with the 6.2.

[Ryan00TJ]

I would for sure go with the 6L80E vs the 4L60E equipped truck. That is really my only gripe with my truck. Great motor but way outdated tranny. In your case I would look for one equipped with 3.42 gearing for better towing and acceleration. If you don't tow or haul anything then don't worry going with the 3.08's. The 6 speed 3.08 combo is still going to have better gearing than the 4 speed 3.73 combo while knocking out better fuel economy.