Anyone else running 3.73 rear axle out there?

rav3 · November 19, 2020

Just curious if anyone else has the 3.73 (GT4) axle ratio on their 5.3L with 6 speed. My '17 Silverado double cab came with the Max Trailering/towing package, which included NHT - MAX TRAILERING PACKAGE: * 9.76 REAR AXLE * TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER * ENHANCED COOLING RADIATOR * REVISED SHOCK TUNING * HEAVIER DUTY REAR SPRINGS AND INCREASED RGAWR which has the 3.73 axle. If you are running this option, I was curious how it does in the snow? I bought this truck back in Feb. and driving it the last 9 months, that if I'm on gravel, dirt or grass, the rear wheels will spin very easily when I barely step on the gas. I assume this is partially because of the low axle ration. So, if it spins the tires so easily now, I assume I may have an issue when it snows this winter and the roads are slick.

My last Silverado, a '96 K1500 Z71, also had the 3.73 axle but didn't have the G80 auto locking differential and I don't recall it spinning the tires that easily like the '17 does.

You guys doing anything special in the snow?

dieselfan1 · November 19, 2020

That's a nice setup.

It has traction control. You'll be fine. Don't over analyze it.

Edited November 19, 2020 by dieselfan1

rav3 · November 19, 2020

4 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

That's a nice setup.

It has traction control. You'll be fine. Don't over analyze it.

humm, didn't think about the traction control....thanks

garagerog · November 19, 2020

rav3, that is a nice setup on your pickup. 2wd or 4wd (maybe those options only available on 4wd, IDK)? Anyway, if only 2wd, some substantial weight in the bed of your pickup over the rear axle will make a world of difference in snow and in any poor traction conditions. A lot of people use bags of sand readily available from your local big box hardware store. Many moons ago when I lived in the snow country of eastern Wa. state I had a C10 that couldn't get out of it's way at the first sign of a snowflake. The boneyard at my family farm provided roughly 500lbs. of roller sprocket chain off an old crawler tractor, secured to plywood in the bed and I was good to go, no more slip sliddin away.

Salsa De Piña · November 19, 2020

Put the transmission in M2 when you come to a stop in slippery conditions to start out in 2nd gear. Problem solved.

rav3 · November 19, 2020

50 minutes ago, garagerog said:

rav3, that is a nice setup on your pickup. 2wd or 4wd (maybe those options only available on 4wd, IDK)? Anyway, if only 2wd, some substantial weight in the bed of your pickup over the rear axle will make a world of difference in snow and in any poor traction conditions. A lot of people use bags of sand readily available from your local big box hardware store. Many moons ago when I lived in the snow country of eastern Wa. state I had a C10 that couldn't get out of it's way at the first sign of a snowflake. The boneyard at my family farm provided roughly 500lbs. of roller sprocket chain off an old crawler tractor, secured to plywood in the bed and I was good to go, no more slip sliddin away.

Sorry......4WD

JimCost2014 · November 19, 2020

1 hour ago, rav3 said:

humm, didn't think about the traction control....thanks

Yea, mash the gas somewhere where it is somewhat safe and see what the "nannies" do.

The power of the engine is greatly reduced, that is how the "traction" is reduced, so no matter how much pedal you apply, you are only going to get so much wheel spin.

Most don't like this, because you can not power yourself out of certain things.

Give it a shot before you need it, so at least you know how the truck is going to react with it engaged.

Edited November 19, 2020 by JimCost2014

Donstar · November 19, 2020

Some good suggestions. I'll add tires to the list. The tendency for my past three pickups to spin the rear wheels was greatly reduced when the factory tires were replaced with Michelins.

aseibel · November 19, 2020

15 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Some good suggestions. I'll add tires to the list. The tendency for my past three pickups to spin the rear wheels was greatly reduced when the factory tires were replaced with Michelins.

Don beat be to it. I was going to guess you're still on the original tires, which are not great in snow to begin with, and now probably nearing the end of their life.

Mine has 3.42 axles, so not quite as high as yours, but I am able to easily spin tires if I want to. I'm also easily able to drive in 2HI with snow on the road and keep it from breaking loose if I want to do that. I am a big fan of Cooper Discover AT3 4S

rav3 · November 19, 2020

3 hours ago, aseibel said:

Don beat be to it. I was going to guess you're still on the original tires, which are not great in snow to begin with, and now probably nearing the end of their life.

Mine has 3.42 axles, so not quite as high as yours, but I am able to easily spin tires if I want to. I'm also easily able to drive in 2HI with snow on the road and keep it from breaking loose if I want to do that. I am a big fan of Cooper Discover AT3 4S

yep, still got the oem goodyears and the tread is half worn. I didn't want to spend $800 on a new set just yet.

Edited November 20, 2020 by rav3

JimCost2014 · November 20, 2020

4 hours ago, Salsa De Piña said:

Put the transmission in M2 when you come to a stop in slippery conditions to start out in 2nd gear. Problem solved.

If you come to a complete stop the transmission will still start off in 1st gear (M1), it just won't shift past M2 till you shift up manually or put it into D.

Edited November 20, 2020 by JimCost2014

rav3 · November 20, 2020

1 hour ago, JimCost2014 said:

If you come to a complete stop the transmission will still start off in 1st gear (M1), it just won't shift past M2 till you shift up manually or put it into D.

Any way to actually start off in 2nd gear?

JimCost2014 · November 20, 2020

4 minutes ago, rav3 said:

Any way to actually start off in 2nd gear?

I don't think so, could be wrong, with the way the transmissions are set up. D is controlled by the truck, M is you, but they all start at 1 and work their way to 6, 8, 10 depending on what you have.

CamGTP · November 20, 2020

If there is snow on the ground put it in auto 4 wheel drive. I never have problems moving away from stop signs or traffic lights.

rav3 · November 20, 2020

Just now, CamGTP said:

If there is snow on the ground put it in auto 4 wheel drive. I never have problems moving away from stop signs or traffic lights.

no problem there. I'll gave it in full time 4x4. Our problem in WNC is we do not have is we don't have any level roads. They're all on hills; steep hills, not so steep hills, stop light at the top or bottom of a steep road. Driving in Northern PA was easier that WNC. They add the foreigners that have moved in to this area that don't know how to drive in the snow, even if they're from NY or where ever. We just don't have flat roads. Even my drive is on a 10-15 deg incline to get out to the street. That's why I buy 4x4's. Let's just hope for no snow this year.