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Gear Ratio (rant)

SC_GWP

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SC_GWP Enthusiast

SC_GWP

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No, in my opinion you should have bought a 2500hd with a 6.0l and 4.10s...if you're worried about rear gearing.

 

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I have one at work and we have side by sides for riding the pipelines and I can't think of one time I ever said "man, this thing sure pulls good"

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SC_GWP Enthusiast

SC_GWP

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Yet another thread about someone buying the wrong tool for the job and its GMs fault.

No, I'm blaming the epa and the gas guzzler tax. Ive only ever had GM besides a 98 tacoma, and I won't own anything else. You can't beat an LS, and any GM has a much better quality interior than a FORD/Ram competitor. All i want is some lower gears. I followed an ecoboost hauling a crew ranger on a 4' longer tandem axle trailer and he had no problems and I have rode with him while towing.

 

He has 3.55 gears a I'm pretty sure ford gives you lots of choices if you order a truck. I like my truck, heck I love it day to day. But the moment I hook to a trailer it turns into more of a well maybe I shouldve ponied up and got a duramax conversation.

 

And If you can tow a horse trailer with stock tires and 3.08s and be just happy, then okay thats fine but just because you like mcdonalds and think its great surely doesnt mean I do.

sdeeter19555 Senior Enthusiast

sdeeter19555

Posted
Posted

I have one at work and we have side by sides for riding the pipelines and I can't think of one time I ever said "man, this thing sure pulls good"

Funny, I just towed a rental trailer (3k pounds) and a Kubota UTV (heavier than most side by sides) and had zero issues maintaining 70mph in cruise, 6th gear, and netting upwards of 12mpg. The only time I had issues was when the surge brakes kicked the emergency deal in and I was dragging brakes...even then I maintained 70mph in 5th and 6th.

 

And that was even a 3.73 ratio truck...

 

I think you bought the wrong truck...

 

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SC_GWP Enthusiast

SC_GWP

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Funny, I just towed a rental trailer (3k pounds) and a Kubota UTV (heavier than most side by sides) and had zero issues maintaining 70mph in cruise, 6th gear, and netting upwards of 12mpg. The only time I had issues was when the surge brakes kicked the emergency deal in and I was dragging brakes...even then I maintained 70mph in 5th and 6th.

 

And that was even a 3.73 ratio truck...

 

I think you bought the wrong truck...

 

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Or GM could just offer lower rear end gears in a half ton and I wouldn't have to ride around in a heavy rough riding 3/4 ton. And I would have the benefit of higher resale on a 1/2 ton.

sdeeter19555 Senior Enthusiast

sdeeter19555

Posted
Posted

Or GM could just offer lower rear end gears in a half ton and I wouldn't have to ride around in a heavy rough riding 3/4 ton. And I would have the benefit of higher resale on a 1/2 ton.

Why try to make a work truck out of a light duty 1500?

 

Have a nice day...

 

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Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

Or GM could just offer lower rear end gears in a half ton and I wouldn't have to ride around in a heavy rough riding 3/4 ton. And I would have the benefit of higher resale on a 1/2 ton.

Your truck will tow/haul its rated capacity with ease. You will also achieve superior gas mileage thanks to technological improvements since '06. I am off to McDonalds for a coffee and muffin...

dasimmon Enthusiast

dasimmon

Posted
Posted

Your truck will tow/haul its rated capacity with ease. You will also achieve superior gas mileage thanks to technological improvements since '06. I am off to McDonalds for a coffee and muffin...

sounds pretty good right about now...

SC_GWP Enthusiast

SC_GWP

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You would think I said something bad about your family.

 

 

A half ton is fully capable of pulling a side by side or two.

 

I am not happy with the rear end gears and how I ran at 3 grand for 70% of a 5 hour ride.

 

If you like your truck, thats great, but I never said anything about your truck.

 

My whole point was just to say its ridiculous to not offer some more choice in gears from the factory.

 

And how would a 3/4 ton with less hp and just a heaver frame and suspension haul better than a 1/2 ton with comparable gears when all you haul is about half the limit of a 1/2 ton.

TxTruckMan Senior Enthusiast

TxTruckMan

Posted
Posted

I dont see how 1st gear has anything to do with the truck staying in 4th at 70mph?

 

Sure it will roast the tires unloaded, any time, hell when I test drove the truck the whole reason I bought it was at bone stock it got loose at 40ish on a shift. Throw 3k on a trailer and a 20mph head wind and BAM. 3300 rpm at 70 and 7mpg

His point was that Rear End Gear Ratio is only part of the Gear Ratio Equation - You also need to consider transmission gears. Having more/taller transmission gears make up for the lower gears in your rear end. It's simple mechanics.

 

Your problem is not the rear end, it's your driving conditions. 70 mpg, 20 mph headwinds, hilly terrain, trailer all equals lower mpg. Do you have a lift and larger tires? Or are you stock?

TxTruckMan Senior Enthusiast

TxTruckMan

Posted
Posted

You would think I said something bad about your family.

 

 

A half ton is fully capable of pulling a side by side or two.

 

I am not happy with the rear end gears and how I ran at 3 grand for 70% of a 5 hour ride.

 

If you like your truck, thats great, but I never said anything about your truck.

 

My whole point was just to say its ridiculous to not offer some more choice in gears from the factory.

 

And how would a 3/4 ton with less hp and just a heaver frame and suspension haul better than a 1/2 ton with comparable gears when all you haul is about half the limit of a 1/2 ton.

They do offer choices - 3.08, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73. 4.10 is not offered, but not really needed in a half ton with 8 speed transmission. I guess you didn't research before you bought?

Silverado Steve Senior Enthusiast

Silverado Steve

Posted
Posted

Imagine if they threw 4.10 in the rear on these trucks. There would be plenty of gripes about only getting 13mpg on the highway like a Tundra.

 

Reality is even in the OPs circumstance, most owners rarely tow or haul and need the mpgs more often than the grunt towing capacity. Perhaps getting the 3.42s in the rear would have made him feel better. Again, a little due diligence and research before dropping the money would of made a world of difference.

dasimmon Enthusiast

dasimmon

Posted
Posted

Imagine if they threw 4.10 in the rear on these trucks. There would be plenty of gripes about only getting 13mpg on the highway like a Tundra.

 

Reality is even in the OPs circumstance, most owners rarely tow or haul and need the mpgs more often than the grunt towing capacity. Perhaps getting the 3.42s in the rear would have made him feel better. Again, a little due diligence and research before dropping the money would of made a world of difference.

+1

NWI Denali Enthusiast

NWI Denali

Posted
Posted

There is no way your truck is in 4th gear at 70 mph and 3000 rpm. I just used a gearing calculator, and with 32" stock tires and 3.23 gears, 3000 rpm at 70 mph would be 5th gear.

 

With 4.10's, 32" tires, and the old 4l60, you would be in 3rd gear at 3000 rpm and 70 mph. 4th gear would put you at about 2100 rpm. Are you saging your old truck would hold 4th gear on the highway with the same load?

bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
Posted

2014 slt 5.3 crew How can i find out what gears i have? I wasnt able to find options list for mine, or dont know where it could be found, recently purchased.

On your RPO list in the glove box, it should say either

 

GU4 - 3.08

GU5 - 3.23

GU6 - 3.42

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

On your RPO list in the glove box, it should say either

 

GU4 - 3.08

GU5 - 3.23

GU6 - 3.42

and GT4 if it has 3.73's

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