Gear ratio ?

justintyme73 · June 21, 2006

Hello,

Heres my background. I Will be purchasing a new 1500 crew cab 5.3 shortly, as a work/personal vehicle. I am a supervisor for an oilfield company, where you purchase your own vehicle and lease to company, they pay a set payment + some mileage per month and fuel. I drive 4-5000 miles per month, I dont haul much, or tow much for work, but occasionally a small trailer, less than 5000lbs. Personally I only tow a 2 place snowmobile trailer at max 2500 lbs, on 500-1000 mile trips a few times a winter.

So I am unsure which gear ratio would best suit my application, 3.42/3.73/4.10...I dont think I need the 4.10's and I am not sure how much MPG difference there would be between the 3 ratios....I do like snappy acceleration though, if mpg were the only concern I would just get the 3.42. Anyone have any experiece with the different ratios-- How much rpm difference are you seeing say at 60 or 70mph?

I will be test driving this weekend to get a feel for the difference in accelleration between the 3, but thought I would ask for some comments here. If gas werent so expensive I would just go for the 4.10's but I drive a lot on personal trips too and it adds up fast now days!!

Thanks!!

J45p3r · June 21, 2006

I think the 3.73s are a nice gear. It's a good compromise between the 4.10s and the 3.42s. If you plan to stay at stock tire size I'd definately go for the 3.73s.

Rammer · June 21, 2006

What is the terrain were you live? If you live in a hilly location, you'll might get better economy with the 4.10's. I had an 02 Xcab Z71 with the 4.10's and I wish I could have found a CC like mine with those gears. Most had 3.42.

I have 3.73,s and I can get around 17 running around home and about 20-21 on flat interstates. The economy between the two around here are about the same.

justintyme73 · June 22, 2006

Thanks guys,

The terrain where I usually drive is pretty flat. But I do go to the mountains a lot, especially in the winter, snowmobilling and skiing. I figured 3.73's would probably be the best all around choice, but thougt I would get some feed back.

wink05 · June 22, 2006

Thanks guys,
The terrain where I usually drive is pretty flat. But I do go to the mountains a lot, especially in the winter, snowmobilling and skiing. I figured 3.73's would probably be the best all around choice, but thougt I would get some feed back.

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IMO you have the right idea with the 3.73s. My driving terrain and towing is very similiar to what you describe, and I've had a 2002 with the 3.42, and now a 2006 with the 3.73. The 3.42 was adequate, but the 3.73 is a perfect fit, especially if you want a little extra snap from a dead stop. I would estimate my gas mileage dropped approximately .5 mpg with the 3.73s. Good luck.

crepitus · June 22, 2006

i just got a truck last month. i got the 3.42s. off the line its a dog but once your going its fine. i would go with the 3.73 for a little more punch off the line.

RobDarden · June 22, 2006

Looking in the brochure the 3.42 and 3.73 for the extended cab has the same tow capacity. Having the 3.42 is suppose to offer better mpg's. My truck came with the 5.3 HO and 3.42 and has a tow capacity of 7700 lbs. This is more than enough for me.

C & A s Dad · June 22, 2006

I have 2003 Yukon XL which is quite a bit heavier than a PU and I have 4.10s. I almost did not buy the truck because of the gears and thought I wanted 3.73s. I tow a 6500 lb TT about 5 to 8 times a year and I would not swap my 4.10s for anything now. In some situations, the 4.10s could even help your MPG, especially when towing or driving in the hills or mountains. My Yuk runs about 2,050 RPMs at 70 MPH and from what I hear, 3.73s would drop this to about 1900 to 1950.

I am getting 17.5 in everyday driving and will get above 19 on the highway.

TOTALRECALL · June 23, 2006

I know someone will help out if I get off track, but I guess after about 15 years of looking and buying trucks I got in on the start if you will of 15 inch to 16 inch to 17 inch factory tires.

I say that as I think not that many years ago 3.73 gears really meant something - before large factory tires and standard overdrive transmissions. I have a 2002 4x4 auto with 3.73 gears, reg cab, 5.3. More than enough for me as I don't really do much with it, house chores. Standard 16 inch 245 C rated tires.

Anyway, as all others have said, 70MPH, right around 2000 RPM. Now days, 4.10's are the start point with the larger tires and good overdirve trans ratios. I tend to agree that 3.73 is a sweet spot.

The only other way I can see wanting the 3.42's, if you tow anything or stay in the mountains you just commit to 3rd gear. With 3.42's you would still have farily low RPM even in 3rd.

I realize this isn't a direct answer, just trying to offer how I think of the changes we have seen in gear options and why you really don't have to worry much - unless you tow a lot or tow heavy.

Thanks

Mike

Beer Belly · June 23, 2006

I'm pretty much in the same boat....towing maybe 5,000 lbs. The trucks I'm looking at are K1500 Crews....one with 5.3L and 3:42's ....the other is 6.0L with 3:73's....I'm trading my '04 2500HD 6.0L with 4:10's to try and save a little fuel cost, will the 1500 w/ 3:73 help much ?

freakyt · June 23, 2006

I like my 3.42s. 70MPH on the highway isn't even 2 grand yet. Tranny holds the gear pretty well, I speed up a little before big hills and slow down as I go up them so I never shift out of OD.

My money is on the 3.42s.

blk99SLT · June 23, 2006

I like my 3.42s. 70MPH on the highway isn't even 2 grand yet. Tranny holds the gear pretty well, I speed up a little before big hills and slow down as I go up them so I never shift out of OD.

My money is on the 3.42s.

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ECSB 5.3 2 wheel drive 3:42 rear. Don't haul heavy loads very often...it will scream and smoke the rears from a standing stop...able to cruise on the highway at 100 kmh (62mph) @ 1700 rpm while getting 25 mpg....perfect for me, guess gear selection all depends on what you want to do with your truck

justintyme73 · June 23, 2006

Thanks for all the replies.

Test drove today. Dealing on a red crew cab with 3.73's. Drove the 3.42 also, liked the additional snap off the line the 3.73's had, not a huge difference though. Not enought to really make a difference, comes down to other equipment and the sticker price.