2009 Gmc Sierra 1500 Ring & Pinion Size

[madupree55]

I have finally finished my exterior on my truck and now i'm wanting to start working on the performance and interior of my truck. I have always heard of people saying that changin the gears out in the rear always makes a big improvement off the line and take off; I got 3.42 gears in it now i think and would like to jump up to a 3.73 gear but every time i get online to look at ordering a set it doesn't let me choose by my truck model, instead it asks for all these sizes and bolts and this and that and that is just jibberish talk to me. Any help as to what exactly my truck has>??? 2009 GMC Sierra Sle1 1500, it's got the 6-speed transmission with some type of locking rear differential.

[Matt_]

as long as your truck is a 5.3L then you have the 8.6" rear (GM 10 bolt) and 8.25" front if 4x4.

 

8.6" rears use the 8.5" ring gear too

[madupree55]

is it hard to change out these gear sets? i have changed out headers, intakes, suspensions before, is it that difficult? is there a how to video somewhere's???

[sc4808]

is it hard to change out these gear sets? i have changed out headers, intakes, suspensions before, is it that difficult? is there a how to video somewhere's???

 

Yes its fairly complicated and takes special tools, you should be able to get it done a a good shop for about $800 to $1000 per axle, if your truck is 2wd then you would just have one axle.

 

There are how to videos and books availible, if you can rent the tools needed then you may save some money, the biggest hurdle would be a bearing press, if you have access to one then the other smaller tools could be rented.

 

If you end up having to purchase the tools then it would be cheaper to pay someone else to do the work, unless you have a nice shop and are planning on doing this type of work again in the future.

[sc4808]

Another option if your truck is 2wd is to just go to the salvage yard and pick up an entire axle that has the 3.73 gears, that would be a quick and easy swap.

[Matt_]

is it hard to change out these gear sets? i have changed out headers, intakes, suspensions before, is it that difficult? is there a how to video somewhere's???

 

if you're asking that question then the answer is that you shouldnt even attempt it unless you're looking over the shoulder of someone who has done it (correctly) before.

 

it is difficult, needs to be EXTREMELY precise and requires a few specialty tools..... not to mention if you screw up you'll be out more than twice what you already spent.

[madupree55]

yea, i finally found a video on youtube and it looks like there's quite a bit to it, i might be spending the $350-$500 i was gonna spend on the gears on something else instead, maybe go for a programmer or a intake system. Thank guys for pointing me in the direction of 'NO DON'T DO IT DUMBA$$'

[nickvrebel]

on my old truck (03 model) with a 4 speed I swapped from 3.42 to 3.73 gears, and most people said it would be a waste but I liked it - on a truck with a 6 speed transmission I wouldn't do it. It's really not worth it, you initial gear ratio from start is roughly close to a 4 speed truck with 4.10s already