What gear ratio?

OneQuickSix · June 29, 2003

I have a 5.0L engine and I trailer two motorcycles on a 8 ft trailer often. I do a lot of high way driving but my truck always has to downshift for more power. I'm at about 1800 RPMS on the highway with my current tires and my stock 3.42 gears. What gear ratio should I go for. post any other questions.

KonradSayek · June 30, 2003

I have a 5.0 with 265's and the 3.42 gears. I purchased some 3.73 gears for my truck after a noticable (and expcected!) power/acceleration loss. They have yet to be installed but I believe that they will make my truck run like it did when it had 225's.

96 Vortec · June 30, 2003

I have the 285's and a 3.73 rear end. I think anything higher than that would just be wasted gas mileage. I got enough juice to light up the rear end and still cruise at about 70mph at 2000rpms.

MarkD · June 30, 2003

What size tires do you have?

varmint2506 · June 30, 2003

I would go with 3.73's. If you want a little more low end go for the 4.10's.

OneQuickSix · July 2, 2003

i have 285/75r16 tires

also anyone know what size my rear end is?

bigtruck21 · July 3, 2003

Here is a webpage to figure out gears rpms and tireheight diff tech

But I'd say skip the trailer and ride those bikes!

BDBWTE · July 4, 2003

i have 285/75r16 tires

also anyone know what size my rear end is?

I agree with the others if you have a 5.0 you don't plan doing any heavy towing or if your like me then you are but anyways I would go with a 3.73 or a 4.10 anything else would be to the point of diminishing return. If you have a 5.0 you probably have the GM Corporate 10 bolt, a C clip design with a 8.5 ring gear. Not a very strong axle some say but we have a 1991 K1500 with a 10 bolt and 320,000 miles on it and I've put the only rear-end gear in it that it's needed and we do heavy construction so you know we beat it do death. It's kinda got a bend to it now but I call it a happy axle because it smiles at you.. Anyways stick with a 3.73 or 4.10..