'01 1500HD axle swap from 2500?

[magstar67]

I have a '01 1500HD 4x4 with the 6.0L and 3.73 gears with 285 tires, I also have a Hypertech programmer running on regular octane tune with low temp t-stat. The truck came with this setup when I purchased it. I tow a 4000lb trailer a lot and want more power. I am considering putting 4.56 gears in it, but am wondering what differentials I could swap if I could find something from a wrecked truck/salvage etc.

 

Going the swap route, I would have to go with a 4.10 setup I assume. Will differentials work on my truck from a 2500 and 2500HD? I seem to recall that the differentials were different on a 2500HD but the same as mine on a 2500, is this true?

 

If I swapped the gears, how much would you guess it to cost?

 

Thanks,

Jeff

[vhato]

I have a '01 1500HD 4x4 with the 6.0L and 3.73 gears with 285 tires, I also have a Hypertech programmer running on regular octane tune with low temp t-stat.  The truck came with this setup when I purchased it.  I tow a 4000lb trailer a lot and want more power.  I am considering putting 4.56 gears in it, but am wondering what differentials I could swap if I could find something from a wrecked truck/salvage etc. 

 

Going the swap route, I would have to go with a 4.10 setup I assume.  Will differentials work on my truck from a 2500 and 2500HD?  I seem to recall that the differentials were different on a 2500HD but the same as mine on a 2500, is this true?

 

If I swapped the gears, how much would you guess it to cost?

 

Thanks,

Jeff

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

You are correct. The 1500HD and 2500 (LD) use the same 14-Bolt, 9.5" Semi-Floating Rear Axle. The 2500HD uses the 14-Bolt, 10.50" Full-Floating rear axle *IF* the 2500HD came with the Vortec 6000 Engine. The 2500HD w/Vortec 8100 and Duramax use the 14-Bolt 11.50" Full-Floater as well as the 3500.

 

All 3 *complete* rear axles will swap onto your truck.

 

If I was in your situation (3.73+285's+4000lb trailer) I would either drop the tire size to 245/75r16 or go all the way to 4.56 gears. Gear Swaps cost a considerable amount of money and you having 4x4 almost doubles the cost.

 

1. $250 4.56 Ring Gear and Pinion for 9.5"

2. $100 Master Install Kit (Shims, Bearings, Races and Crush Sleeve)

3. $50 75w-140 Synthetic Fluid

4. $600 Labor

Total=$1,000.00+Tax X 2(Front Axle)=$2,000.00

 

Of course these are estimates, but they are experienced estimates. Going from 3.73 to 4.10 won't give you the power you want to justify the investment. If you had 4.10's already, you wouldn't even be making this post because you would be mildly satisfied with its ability.

 

Dropping in a supercharger or getting a custom tune won't solve your problem (if you are thinking that) becaust most of the power increase will be absorbed by the transmission trying to turn 3.73's w/285's which would kill it anyway.