Sluggish With 35in Tires

[2000manual]

I am running a set of 35in BFG All Terrains on a 2000 Chev with a 4.8L V8, manual transmission that has a new 4:10 rear end. I am noticing that my truck is sluggish in fifth gear when climbing hills especially when I am pulling my 2000lb boat. What should I do to improve my trucks performance? Should I get a programmer or look into regearing my transmission? Any suggestions are welcome.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

I had a 2000 4.8 L 5 speed with 3.73 gears, sitting on 35's. Running interstate when pulling hills would have to shift to 4th. IMO the 4.8 just didn't have enough torque to pull long hills at that speed. You could try a programmer and see what happens, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Matt_]

4.10s aren't enough for 35 s on these trucks... even if you had the 5.3. Should've gone with 4.56 minimum, ideally 4.88s.

 

Be glad you're running the bfg's since they run small.... if You put a true sized 35 you'd really be hurting.

 

Trucks never going to tow a trailer in graded terrain with those tires and gears.... performance mods wont get it much better either since the operating RPM range of your drivetrain is too low to take advantage of a 20hp increase that'd you only see at 5500rpm. Cheapest and best route is to regear. Your trans will thank you.

[stlavsa]

4.10s aren't enough for 35 s on these trucks... even if you had the 5.3. Should've gone with 4.56 minimum, ideally 4.88s.

 

Be glad you're running the bfg's since they run small.... if You put a true sized 35 you'd really be hurting.

 

Trucks never going to tow a trailer in graded terrain with those tires and gears.... performance mods wont get it much better either since the operating RPM range of your drivetrain is too low to take advantage of a 20hp increase that'd you only see at 5500rpm. Cheapest and best route is to regear. Your trans will thank you.

 

I may have missed this somewhere but what made you switch from your denali truck to an older model JEEP!??!

[Matt_]

Already had the Jeep. Long story short I wanted to eliminate the truck payment while the truck market is booming (got 29.6k trade in). With 4 years left on the loan, a high monthly payment, a shaky economy, a kid in daycare and hopefully a 2nd on the way I decided to seize the opportunity to lower risk.... that money will go to our "rainy day fund" and ill get another truck when the stars align.

 

I wasn't going to start a thread on it... but maybe I should. Didn't think I'd take so many people by surprise!

[2000manual]

4.10s aren't enough for 35 s on these trucks... even if you had the 5.3. Should've gone with 4.56 minimum, ideally 4.88s.

 

Be glad you're running the bfg's since they run small.... if You put a true sized 35 you'd really be hurting.

 

Trucks never going to tow a trailer in graded terrain with those tires and gears.... performance mods wont get it much better either since the operating RPM range of your drivetrain is too low to take advantage of a 20hp increase that'd you only see at 5500rpm. Cheapest and best route is to regear. Your trans will thank you.

 

I may have missed this somewhere but what made you switch from your denali truck to an older model JEEP!??!

 

 

I am new to the whole idea of regearing. Should I be looking to regear my transmission, the rear end or both?

[Matt_]

Regear the rear axle. If you have a 4x4 then you need to regear the front diff as well

[2000manual]

Approx what would you say that would cost me?

[Matt_]

Anywhere from 1000 to 2000 depending on where you live, how experienced the shops are and what kind of options.

[kurt1993]

I am running a set of 35in BFG All Terrains on a 2000 Chev with a 4.8L V8, manual transmission that has a new 4:10 rear end. I am noticing that my truck is sluggish in fifth gear when climbing hills especially when I am pulling my 2000lb boat. What should I do to improve my trucks performance? Should I get a programmer or look into regearing my transmission? Any suggestions are welcome.

 

Drop her down into 4th Gear on an incline?

[jro909]

I am running a set of 35in BFG All Terrains on a 2000 Chev with a 4.8L V8, manual transmission that has a new 4:10 rear end. I am noticing that my truck is sluggish in fifth gear when climbing hills especially when I am pulling my 2000lb boat. What should I do to improve my trucks performance? Should I get a programmer or look into regearing my transmission? Any suggestions are welcome.

 

Drop her down into 4th Gear on an incline?

 

 

 

or even 3rd, with those caliber of tires i don't know if i'd even attempt 5th gear on the highway unless is was flat terrain...to the op you will need to regear, the 4.8 just isen't strong enough to haul that kind of mass

[stlavsa]

Already had the Jeep. Long story short I wanted to eliminate the truck payment while the truck market is booming (got 29.6k trade in). With 4 years left on the loan, a high monthly payment, a shaky economy, a kid in daycare and hopefully a 2nd on the way I decided to seize the opportunity to lower risk.... that money will go to our "rainy day fund" and ill get another truck when the stars align.

 

I wasn't going to start a thread on it... but maybe I should. Didn't think I'd take so many people by surprise!

 

Damn I didn't even realize the truck market is booming I dont really pay attention, thats a really good price for a trade in.. If you already had the jeep what vehicle did you trade it in on?

[Matt_]

Yeah man the price for pickup trucks is crazy right now for some reason.

 

Got the wife a 2008 Liberty sport 4x4 (new Gen.. not the previous generation liberty; not a fan of that style). Gets pretty good gas mileage with the 3.7L and is still quick/nimble.