Gear ratio Question

[xsports33]

I've been researching a lot about the re-gearing, but i had a few questions i'm hoping you all can shed some light on.

 

I'm debating about getting 4.56s or 4.10 During the winter i don't tow that much, but take long highway road trips to the mountains to go skiing and snowboarding. So i do a fair amount of climbing up the hills. But, during the summer i tow a lot (a 3,500 lbs boat). However, when i am towing it's usually long highway road trips to the river or the lake and some, but few, hills.

 

I know going with a high gear ratio will help with towing power off the line and climbing hills? But, going at ~75mph and towing down the highway i'd already be in overdrive. So wouldn't i be hurting my MPG by having a higher gear ratio considering i wouldn't "need" more towing power at 75 MPH, just to get it going. During the winter, granted i'm not towing as much but my bed is loaded with a lot of snow gear so i'm hauling a bigger load.

 

What would be the best for my application? As much as i would like more towing power, my towing consists of highway driving. Would the ability to have more towing power help me during highway driving and not compromise my MPG?

 

I also have a 6"lift with 33" tires. I plan on getting some 35" when i run down the 33's. TIA!

[xsports33]

one more thing... With all things being equal, driving style, ambient temp, octance, etc. How much of a MPG difference at highway driving is there between 4.10 and 4.56?

 

Thanks again

[pm26]

one more thing... With all things being equal, driving style, ambient temp, octance, etc. How much of a MPG difference at highway driving is there between 4.10 and 4.56?

 

Thanks again

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

About 2 MPG.

 

By using oversize tires, you have already effectively changed your gear ratio to about 3.73:1 equivalent if you have 4.10s now. if you plan to use largest tires that these, I would say 4.56:1 gears will leave ytou with that same 3.73:1 equivalent. With worse gas mileage.

[svensk]

I would want 4.10's with that size tire on. I think it would lower your overall gear ratio to like 3.9x or so which would still give you more than enough power. Most rock crawler or mudder guys with that big tire would go 4.56 but that combo would really kill your milage even I wouldn't be too worried about milage because of your lift+tire size.

[xsports33]

You guys aren't going to believe this but i just checked my window sticker AND called chevy and they confirmed that stock gears for my truck, which i still have, is 3.43.

 

No joke, I really have 3.43 I was wondering why i have to floor it so hard to get up and go when i'm towing. Unbelievable!!!