3.73 ratio now appears to be available on 05'...

camshaft · February 19, 2005

Well, as all of u know I'm sure, 3.42 and 4.10's are the only rear end ratio's for 2005 half tons/ Avalanches ect. Here is the confusing part......I priced out a 05 gmc sierra half ton ex cab, about a month ago, and sure enough only the 3.42 and 4.10 gears were available.

Today, I priced the same truck out, and it now lists an option for 3.73 gears, along with 3.42 and 4.10's. This was done online through GM Canada.

I am going to the dealers today just to inquire and confirn if this is the case. I only have a boat, and a tent trailer that I will be pulling, so the 3.73's would be perfect for me.

Can anyone confirm if a new order or special order 05 can come with factory installed 3.73'? And does this option show up on any of the US build sheets effective today?

thx

navyblue1500crew · February 19, 2005

My '05 crew cab, built in Oshawa, Canada 7/04, has a 3.73. It's why I bought it from the dealership I got it from--all their trucks had optional ratios (a little more profit for them!). You'd think the rear axle ratios might be the same as those for an extended cab; since mine's a 1500 crew (not HD), it has the same 143.5" wheelbase as the extended cab w/ 6.5' box. By the way, GM now refers to that bed length as the "standard box." Per the '05 brochure I have, the standard ratio with the L33 (I think that's the aluminum block) 5.3 is a 3.42, but the LM7 5.3 standard ratio is a 3.23. They're not too specific about optional ratios. HTH...

And you're right, a 3.73 axle would be great for the towing you're planning to do.

camshaft · February 20, 2005

Navy.........

just to confirm, u have a 05- 1/2 ton crew cab 4x4?, with 3.73 gears, along with the L33 aluninum block?

the reason I ask is cuz when I went out to the dealer, and built the truck on their system, the 3.73's did come up, along with the 3.42's and 4.10's, HOWEVER, the L33 was not a option choice. Only the LM7 came up. All of the reading shows only the L33 as an engine in the extended cabs, and not available in the crew cabs.

I want the L33 motor more so, than I need the 3.73's. I'm sure I could live with the 4.10's just fine.

Can anyone shed some light as to which 5.3 (the L33 or the LM7) is available in the crew cab?

navyblue1500crew · February 20, 2005

Cam...(or shaft )

Geez, I never thought of being called "Navy"--I'm USAF/ANG. Oh well...

Nope, my cc is a 4x2 w/ LM7. I wanted a 4x4 cc 1500HD, but I'm happy for now... I never knew about the L33 (probably because I never "built" an 05 extended cab). Good luck finding and buying what you want.