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Gears or BB

T1Kaiju

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T1Kaiju Enthusiast

T1Kaiju

Posted
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Im getting a Truetrac put in next week ($1K installed), and while they have the diff open, I was debating getting a gear change. Labor is the same which is big, but the gears will cost another $275, and I will need at least another $180 for a programer just to correct the ABS/speedo.

 

I really can't complain about the 3.08s too much. 1500 RPM @ 70MPH is nice (I get 17 in 50/50 mixed with E10 gas which is not too shabby for how I drive), and she will come off the line when stomped. The truck stays responsive when racing around - the problem is when I take it easy. It invariably tries to go into the highest gear and is slow to respond. Of course, this is why my mileage is decent.

 

Now my thought is for that extra gear cost, I could get a BB tune, and keep my MPG. Or I could get some 3.73's and have a bad ass, double grub laying trutrac'ed beast. Im not sure if I would want to spend the money just to go up to 3.42. I probably won't be towing more than a fish/ski boat (maybe 3-4000lb max) and not for very long distances. I tend to be going 70-80 unloaded on the highway alot. What would you do if it was your $1400? 3.73, 3.42, or BBT?

 

Oh, one more thing. When the stock 265s go, I plan to get 285s, but it might be 2 years for that...

STINSAN3 Senior Enthusiast

STINSAN3

Posted
Posted

Go ahead & get the 3.73 gears then a BB tune.

If you're gonna get bigger tires, thats the way to go.

 

I bought my truck & it already had the 3.73 gears from the factory.

I have never towed once, since I had my truck. We have a older tahoe for that.

T1Kaiju Enthusiast

T1Kaiju

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well I am 2WD (changed my sig), and 6 speed, so im currently geared between 3.73 and 4.10 in a 4 speed (my 1st is closer to the 4.10 than the 3.73). Maybe 3.42 is the wise adult choice. But man, 3.73 would be smokin rubber all over fun...I think I have to do it just to find out. Gas shmass - all the 40mpg-ers are leavin more for me!

T1Kaiju Enthusiast

T1Kaiju

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Nope - it came bone stock with an open 3.08. I got the cheap one on the car ad they like to bait and switch with. The G80 is come standard on Texas Edition and up, but I didn't want the chrome. Plus they wanted over 4K more for one with the package, and I am way ahead doing the upgrades myself. Truetrac is what most replace the G80 with when it goes, so I'm pretty excited to see what all the fuss is about.

Wires Enthusiast

Wires

Posted
Posted

Go ahead & get the 3.73 gears then a BB tune.

If you're gonna get bigger tires, thats the way to go.

 

I bought my truck & it already had the 3.73 gears from the factory.

I have never towed once, since I had my truck. We have a older tahoe for that.

 

 

+1. The tune is going to make a big difference, but at highway speeds, the low engine revs with those gears (got the same ones with a Westers tune), it'll want to labor on hill climbs, head winds, etc.

tyhuck Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted

I would say do the tune and dont worry about the gears unless you tow or plan on upsizing tires (more than 1 size up). The tune will make your truck a beast just by changing the way the transmission shifts. It made a world of difference in my truck. Im running 35s on my factory 3.42 gears, and its not much different, dravability wise, than my stock 265s. If you have the tune, the 285s wont make much difference to you.

 

But, if yo uare going to be towing anything, then you should regear. Ide say go ahead and go with the 3.42s. My wifes Tahoe has them and its awesome matched with the 6spd. I think 3.73s would be overkill unless you tow alot.

blackout07 Senior Enthusiast

blackout07

Posted
Posted

There isn't a tune on the face of the earth that can compare to a gear swap. I ran 3.42's in my truck for the longest with 35's and just a tune, and it was a total slug. Op if you have the cash do both, get 3.73's, and have fun. :driving:

  • 2 weeks later...
T1Kaiju Enthusiast

T1Kaiju

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I did the boring old man in his 40s thing and put in the 3.42s with the Truetrac. Here are my thoughts so far...

 

1st the gears:

 

I was going to upgrade to 3.73s but I spend a ton of time @ 75-80, so there is no real reason for me to kill my mileage. I do notice a mild difference in getting around city driving since it is all in 2-5th gears, and 1st is quite low now - useful for towing and off road, but Im not sure if I launch any quicker due to how low the gear is. I do not have any computer issues right now with ABS or stabilitrack, which some people do claim is an issue. I have taken it easy for the 500 mile break in period; I have had to keep it under 60. This alone has seen my MPH increase to over 20 MPG! People were blowing past me on the highway until I realized my speedometer reads about 11% higher, so I was actually going around 54, not 60 for my first few trips. 67 speedo is 60 according to my GPS. I will need a tune to recal - but I will wait until I do a tire change for a blackbear. 70 MPH is around 1850 vs 1600 with the 3.08s.

 

Now the Truetrac:

 

Very pleased with the TT. I have had the G80 in all my past GM trucks, and this is different as there is no whirl-clunk-lock - it just digs in. Note - I never had a problem with the G80, it just was in a higher option package that I didn't want to pay extra for. I took it off road, and I feel very confident in my truck now. Works great with varied traction - I was in deep ruts with half wet mud, half hard dirt, and the truck just pulled straight through flawlessly. I also climbed up some pretty steep hills with the tranny in manual 1, and she never stumbled one bit. Awesome!

 

$1295 for the everything including a 3 year warranty from 4wheelparts is money well spent. Time to find a bass boat :thumbs:. Here are a few pics of the rear differential open during my 500 mile oil change:

 

Dropping the spare and using ramps gives a ton of room. If you don't have ramps, you are doing yourself a disservice. My 18V impact driver made this very quick work:

IMG_0123.jpg

 

Here is the Truetrac. Eaton recommends NOT using synthetic oil, so I filled with Valvoline 75-90:

IMG_0122.jpg

 

Very little shavings in the cover. Hopefully the instal will hold up!

 

IMG_0125.jpg

 

If you got an open dif, you can do much worse than a truetrac. Now, off to the trails for more extensive testing :D:D:D

uh6tdrvr Enthusiast

uh6tdrvr

Posted
Posted

I say at least a 3.73 and would consider 4.10's and then later the BB. The thing with a lower gear would make the 5.3 work less. If its apart imo its a no brainer to get it done while its apart.

Gurrzt Enthusiast

Gurrzt

Posted
Posted

Keep the 3.08:1 gears, and invest in a 3600 stall with at least a 2.5 STR from a major company like Yank or Vigilante.

 

It will make a tremendous difference in the performance of the truck (out of lock up), and give you good miles per gallon (once in lock up).

Robert1 Enthusiast

Robert1

Posted
Posted

What year is the truck pictured above with the differential cover off? Was wondering if the anti-sway bar was a factory option or whether you added it. I'm seriously considering adding one to my truck.

tyhuck Senior Enthusiast

tyhuck

Posted
Posted

Its an Avalanche which has the same rear suspension as the SUVs (coil springs and sway bars).

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