3.42 vs. 3.73 gear ratios

[naturalbornmudder]

does it make a big difference in highway mileage? Does it make a big difference in towing?

[F-250 diesel]

mileage wont really change all to much, the 3.73's migt get better mpg since he engine doesnt have to work as hard....and as for towing, the 3.73's will make a difference....it wont downshift on hills where the 3.42's would....plus you'll get better mpg towing with the 3.73 rather than the 3.42's

[dewfpo]

does it make a big difference in highway mileage? Does it make a big difference in towing?

 

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If you do a lot of highway driving and have a light foot the 3.42's should get you better mileage on the road.

 

DEWFPO

[Dana_15]

I've owned both an 03 RC with the 3.73 and a 06 CC with the 3.42's....mileage is better with the 3.42's especially on the highway obviously. The 3.73's seem to have a little more 'pep' from a stop than the 3.42's but beyond that they seem the same, as for towing if your going to tow alot, the 3.73's might be the way to go.

[C & A s Dad]

The MPG will depend a lot on the road conditions and your driving habits. I have a 02 Yukon XL 5.3L with 4.10s and my avg MPG is currently running 18.6. It will get 21 or better with pure hwy driving.

 

I pull a 6400 lb caper with it and love the 4.10s.

[svensk]

The MPG will depend a lot on the road conditions and your driving habits. I have a 02 Yukon XL 5.3L with 4.10s and my avg MPG is currently running 18.6. It will get 21 or better with pure hwy driving.

 

I pull a 6400 lb caper with it and love the 4.10s.

 

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Are you measuring mpg at the gas station or are you going by what your computer is telling you?

[C & A s Dad]

Mine has not DIC. I am using real gallons used and miles driven. My wife drives very conservatively and also very consistently. If she does much local running around the MPG will be about 16.5 to 17.5. If she has some hwy mixed in it will average closer to 19. If it is all hwy, it will be upper 20s with 22.2 being my highest MPG yet.

 

Also, her hwy MPG is running about 30 miles one way and back. The truck sledom sees any real hwy driving. We live in a small town so even the local driving is nor real stop and go city driving either.

 

I have been very pleased with the MPG on this truck.

[overlord1]

For what it's worth, I have towed a dump trailer loaded with fresh mulch that weighed nearly 7K pounds (total weight) with my '06 Silverado with 3.42's. on a few occasions. The truck did not seem to struggle with the weight at all. Sure, take offs from stop lights are slow going since I am gentle with the throttle when towing. Frankly, I was more concerned with stopping than with pulling the weight. I installed a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller and recommend it highly if you plan to do any towing on a regular basis. I know most people will tell you that the 3.42's won't tow worth a d**n, but that has not been my experience.

 

Ed