2011 2500hd 4wd Crew Cab 6.0l, Planning To Order Soon

JLeosnow · January 29, 2011

Hello all,

Looking to order a new truck soon and am at a bit of a 'dead end' regarding which rear axle ratio I should go with....

I know for certain my choice would be the 4.10 given my current experience with our 2007 Suburban 6.0L 2500 4WD which has the 4.10 rear end. It seems to be adequate(certainly not exceptional) for the towing we do 4-5 times a year from MN. to Wyoming pulling a 4-place/7000-8000lb. loaded enclosed snowmobile trailer... The question in my mind that I am not able to answer is that being the new 2011 truck now has the 6-speed transmission(which I have no experience with) will the 4.10 ratio be "too much"?

I have read many praises of this new transmission and how it is a "night & day" difference from the old set-up that is in our 2007 Suburban.... is this a true statement? In addition, my salesperson basically told me that the 4.10 ratio will probably be something that I will not be happy with and was trying to steer me away from the 4.10 and go with the 3.73 but I am not certain he understands my wants/needs. Is this because the 4.10 set-up in the configuration of truck I want isn't on their lot and is not locatable for the quick sale?

Looking forward to some constructive input!!

Thanks much,

-John

Bear68 · January 29, 2011

I had the same questions when I ordered my 2011 Sierra and most comments and advice was for the 4.10...we have a 8,000 lb camper and wanted this truck to pull this camper and in the future a 5th wheel. I can't offer any experience yet with pulling because when my truck came in, it was after the camping season....waiting impatiently for spring!! Hopefully someone else with more experience/knowledge will chime in....

focijoe · January 29, 2011

Get the 4.10's. Its better to have too much gear than not enough. If you want a bigger trailer in the future you will have enough truck to handle it. Heres a link to my towing experience with my 09 2500HD 6.0 3.73's if it helps http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=124008

DO NOT listen to salesmen who try to tell you what to buy!! They are trying to make the easiest sale possible and they DO NOT CARE if your truck pulls your trailer. Buy what you want. If they wont get the truck you want go somewhere else.

Stevens03 · January 29, 2011

Night and day towing wise with the 6-speed trans over the 4-speed. I have the 6.2L 6-speed with 3.73 gears and it pulls like crazy. My previous truck was the Vmax 6.0L with 4.10 gears and the new truck would run circles around my last truck.

4.10's with the 6-speed will provide AWESOME towing power. But your mileage will suffer for every day driving. If you want the max towing power, then 4.10's, if you want a nice combination that would out pull your previous truck, then 3.73's will be a great option. I love the 3.73 combination. And yes, I'd bet the dealership was steering you towards a truck they have on the lot.

JLeosnow · January 29, 2011

Thanks for the great info everyone, I appreciate it!

Keep it coming!!

Thanks,

-John

JLeosnow · January 29, 2011

Night and day towing wise with the 6-speed trans over the 4-speed. I have the 6.2L 6-speed with 3.73 gears and it pulls like crazy. My previous truck was the Vmax 6.0L with 4.10 gears and the new truck would run circles around my last truck.

4.10's with the 6-speed will provide AWESOME towing power. But your mileage will suffer for every day driving. If you want the max towing power, then 4.10's, if you want a nice combination that would out pull your previous truck, then 3.73's will be a great option. I love the 3.73 combination. And yes, I'd bet the dealership was steering you towards a truck they have on the lot.

Hello Stevens11,

Is it safe to assume that your previous truck(Vmax 6.0L with 4.10 gears) did not have the 6-speed transmission?

Thanks,

-John

Stevens03 · January 29, 2011

Thats correct. It had the HD 4L70e 4-speed trans. I was a nah-sayer before owning the new 6-speed. I argued how much better can it be. Well, I'm a believer. It's night and day. I love the 3.73's, I'd bet the 4.10's pull like a freight train.

sagent · January 29, 2011

I've had my CC 2011 gmc with 3.73 gears for about 3 months now and would have liked to try the same truck with 4.10 gears. I does not seem to have the snap from a stop that I expected but granted I am coming from a Tundra with a 5.7. I have a Boss 8'2" power V plow and have not had any issues pushing snow but if you do plan to tow anything with some weight to it, the 4.10 gears will definately come in handy but of course your milage will suffer. So far this winter, my average MPGs according to the computer is at about 11 mpg with mostly city driving and moderate morning warmup when its cold. You will be shocked with how much better the brakes are in these trucks compared to a few years ago.

i82much · January 30, 2011

Yeah I wish they made more of them with the 4.10's, they are hard to find. If you do the math, the OD 6th gear is .67. So a 4.10 gear ratio with a .67 OD is like a 2.747 gear ratio in an old truck with a 1:1 top gear. And on top of that they run 31" tires or thereabouts these days, used to be 26-28" which would give you say 27/31 * 2.747 = 2.40 ratio or so. I really can't see how much more gas mileage you are going to get out of one of these things with the 3.73's.

jklawn&Plow · January 30, 2011

How many steep mountains do you need to climb out there?

JLeosnow · January 30, 2011

How many steep mountains do you need to climb out there?

.

For me it's not about climbing mountains or pulling stumps, but more about a tow vehicle that will feel confident and capable at hwy/interstate speeds while pulling a load. More imortaint to me is being able to keep a consistent speed while traveling the windy 800 mile 1-way intestate drive with long gradual inclines...

Thanks,

-John

brainpause · January 30, 2011

John, maybe a better question would be: outside if towing 4-5 times a year, what kind of driving will the truck see? Lots if highway, or lots of city?

3.73 with the 6 speed, from what I've read, would be good for towing. But if the truck does mostly city driving, the 4.10 would be better anyway. Then you get the best of both worlds: easier city driving and better towing experience.

Larry

DwayneJ · January 30, 2011

The 6L80e final ratio is .667

the 4L80E is .75

The 4L60E is .7

Based on that alone if you are ok with the rpms with 4.10s on the highway with the 4L80 the 6L80 is going to further tame them.

JLeosnow · January 30, 2011

The 6L80e final ratio is .667
the 4L80E is .75

The 4L60E is .7

Based on that alone if you are ok with the rpms with 4.10s on the highway with the 4L80 the 6L80 is going to further tame them.

Thanks DwayneJ, that is very useful information! So, what you are saying is that the final ratio of the new truck will be running less RPM's than our 07 Suburban, correct?

Do you happen to know the ratios of the 07 Suburban in 3rd gear and the 2011 2500HD in 5th gear? I usually always have to keep it in 3rd to keep it from wandering/hunting on our long interstate trips and this is what I am hoping to improve with the new truck and hoping that by choosing the correct rear axle ratio I can achieve it. I am assuming I will not be able to tow with the new truck in 6th and will probably need to keep it in at least 5th gear most of the time on the..??

Oh, one other thing... does the wheel choice(20") also somewhat change the actual "final" ratio as well?

Thanks,

-John