Trailblazer/Envoy - which axle ratio?

ultimate_ed · May 11, 2003

Started looking into trailblazers and from the web info, I see there are three options for the axle ratio - base 3.43 and optional 3.73 and 4.10.

Curious to know what most of you guys opted for and why. I'd be looking at a 2WD and I would expect to be doing much in the way of towing with it. Still, the upgrade to either axle is only $50, but I wonder how much they would cost me in extra gas.

mcali17 · May 11, 2003

I have a 2002 Envoy. The axle ratios are 3.42, 3.73 and 4.10. They way I look at it, 3.42 gives you better fuel economy less pulling power, 4.10 gives you more pull less fuel economy. I choose the middle, 3.73 in my SLE. I don't really know if it makes that much of a difference really. Unless you are ordering one, you may have to take it the way the dealer ordered it or what they can find you.

TB03 · May 12, 2003

I went with the 3.42 for better fuel mileage, and plus I have no toys to pull. I'm averaging 17.5 MPG City and 23-24 MPG Highway.

bowtie_pasta · May 13, 2003

I don't own a Trailblazer so sorry for interupting, but since you are getting a 2WD and don't plan to tow or offroad your choice is easy, get the 3.42.

later

ultimate_ed · May 17, 2003

That's what I figured. Thanks for the responses, everyone.

HillHound · May 24, 2003

We got one with 3.42 for the simple reason that was the axle the particular Trailblazer my wife liked happened to have. It gets 16.5 to 19 mpg on average.

I use the pickup for heavier towing so I don't see it being a problem. The only thing I tow with the TBZ is a little trailer with an ATV/lawn mowers and the most it weighs is 1500lbs.

If I remember right, most of the 15 or so TBZs on the lot when we were buying ours had 3.42 axles. I did notice one TBZ EXT 5.3L with 3.73s.

rhill · May 26, 2003

I bought a LTZ 2wd with 3.73's and love the gearing

zed · September 9, 2003

Actually, the fuel economy delta from a 3.42 to a 4.10 averages to be less than 0.6 mpg combined city and highway. Obviously higher for the highway than city.

Overall you will find about a 3% difference in fuel economy with about a 7% difference in the performance. The best trade off of the 3 is the 3.73. It gives little in milage for a pretty good return in performance. It also is the most common.

Like it was said earlier, if your not ordering one, I wouldn't base my decision on the gear ratio unless all else was the same.