Worth it to Re-gear?

[Colton800]

Hi, I have a 1997 GMC Sierra C1500, 350 Auto. Since it's 2WD it has 3:42 gears, it also has an open diff, GM 8.5 10 Bolt. I'm planning on putting in a Eaton Detroit TrueTrac in to help with the winter and having fun (Canadian Winter). I average about 16-18MPG city and around 25-28MPG highway, with the 3:42 gears. I drive fairly aggressively though. Now I'm considering regearing to 4:10's but I'm not sure if it's worth it ($200 for gears, plus having to get everything calibrated). I drive about sadly 95% city (I live in a medium sized city, and avoid downtown as much as I can, so it's not "heavy traffic" driving). I do plan on lifting it probably a 2-3" lift and some all terrain tires, the 2WD's just sit too low. I run 235/75/15 Highway tires for now until probably summer. I do drive aggressively and like to play with my truck, would I notice a good boost in acceleration? Also would a "heavy duty" diff cover help at all with anything or is it more for a trail type situation?

In my situation, where I do drive fairly aggressively, mostly city, going to bigger tires, upgrading from an open diff to TrueTrac would it be worth while in your opinion to upgrade to 4:10's? I do next to nothing for towing and stuff.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of regearing from 3:42 gears to 4:10 gears? Thanks

[REVYCHEVY55]

Don't think you would be happy with the gears. I would leave as is. Fuel mileage would take what little fun you would have getting from here to there in a short distance just a little faster. Definetly wouldn't give more power. Stick with what you have in gears.

[kstruckcountry]

If you're going to put on larger tires you'll want to regear IMO. That 350 doesn't have a lot of power and will be a lot happier with a little help from gears.

 

You will lose some fuel mileage, but if you lift and increase tire size you're going to anyways.