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3:42 To 3:73?

daxrizo

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daxrizo Enthusiast

daxrizo

Posted
Posted

I now have 8k miles on my truck with a 3:42 rear end and the 5.3 engine. I've decided I don't like it and want back what my 2002 had in gears. Im not overly concerned with mpg's just tired of the truck hunting gears constantly Is this change worth it and how much do you think it will cost? Those of you with similar experiences please chime in.

Thanks

Carder09 Senior Enthusiast

Carder09

Posted
Posted
I now have 8k miles on my truck with a 3:42 rear end and the 5.3 engine. I've decided I don't like it and want back what my 2002 had in gears. Im not overly concerned with mpg's just tired of the truck hunting gears constantly Is this change worth it and how much do you think it will cost? Those of you with similar experiences please chime in.

Thanks

 

Much of a change probably not, now if you were to go to 4.10's yeah but If I was to upgrade to 3:73 from my stock 3:23's then yeah I would notice a change. But maybe im wrong.

wavery Enthusiast

wavery

Posted
Posted

I agree..... not worth the $ and possible aggravation. Setting up new gears is tricky business. The tech has to really know what he is doing or you can go through a set of gears in a couple thousand miles.

 

I'd like to change my 3.23s for 3.73s but won't for the same reason. I'll buy a different truck 1st.

tyhuck Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted
How much difference are the 3:73 & 4:10's

 

 

About 250 - 300 RPM at 70 difference in the two, with the 4.10 getting about 1-3mpg worse. I think you would like the 3.73 in the truck, especially if you drive unloaded mostly. They will also help some with towing.

tyhuck Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted
I now have 8k miles on my truck with a 3:42 rear end and the 5.3 engine. I've decided I don't like it and want back what my 2002 had in gears. Im not overly concerned with mpg's just tired of the truck hunting gears constantly Is this change worth it and how much do you think it will cost? Those of you with similar experiences please chime in.

Thanks

 

 

I nt think you will remedy the gear searching in your truck. Thats just the nature of the 6 speed. Its great for maintaining speed and power, but that is only because it has more gears to choose from to maintain an acceptable RPM for decent MPG. The only remedy for gear hunting that I can think of would be to drive in M5 or M6.

blackout07 Senior Enthusiast

blackout07

Posted
Posted

With the 6-spd, I think you would notice a good bit of difference with switching to 3.73's. If you're 2wd, you could get it done for around $700-$800.

daxrizo Enthusiast

daxrizo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I can live with 700-800 bucks but I'm 4x4. After the statement above I WILL NOT BE BUYING another Chevy is they truly are doing a 12 speed. If I want that shit I'll buy a corolla. The only people that have mastered the 6/7 speed tranny is Mercedes. My wife's car is incredible and the last SUV was a Benz and used the tranny regularly to slow down the trailer, my Chevy has a hell of time figuring it out.....

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

No i said an 8 speed. The 4x4 transfercase will only be 1 speed. Other MFR's will also doing the same thing to pass fuel economy standards for 2013 and later years.

 

I can live with 700-800 bucks but I'm 4x4. After the statement above I WILL NOT BE BUYING another Chevy is they truly are doing a 12 speed. If I want that shit I'll buy a corolla. The only people that have mastered the 6/7 speed tranny is Mercedes. My wife's car is incredible and the last SUV was a Benz and used the tranny regularly to slow down the trailer, my Chevy has a hell of time figuring it out.....
MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Get used to the 6-8 speed units. They're lightyears ahead of the 4 speeds anyhow. My 03 while in the mountains on highways would either bog or be screaming. This truck can bridge the gap and it's much nicer to drive.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

I have posted this before, quite a few times actually, but, you will want to keep in mind that you cannot get the dealer to reprogram the ecm for the gear change. GM tech line will not provide the updated code for the ecm. You will have to use someone like BlackBear to make that change for you.

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

Why? You will have better gearing and less parts and repair (transfercase) which probably 90% of the owners never use.

 

oops. well, in any event I guess next truck I buy I will modify with a 6 or 4 speed then from now on. :)
jtstacy77 Enthusiast

jtstacy77

Posted
Posted

I've never owned one of the gmt-900 with the six speed. I have a gmt-800 with the four speed. That being said my wife has an Acadia with the 6 speed and I love it. Makes me wish I had a 6 speed in my avalanche. Of course we are in the appalachian mountains of southwest virginia, so you are always going uphill or downhill. The more gears the better!

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