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3.42 Vs 3.73 Gear Ratio

Maguillacutty

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Maguillacutty Enthusiast

Maguillacutty

Posted
Posted

Wondering what you all thought on the two or which is better to have. I currently bought a 2007 GMC Sierra Z71 5.3 it has the 3.42 gear ration.

 

Also would anyone know if the 5.3 V8 flex fuel has the same power etc as a regular 5.3 V8??? This is new to me..

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

Depends on what you want to do with the truck, and what size of tires you are running. Assuming you're using stock size tires, 3.73 is probably the best all-around ratio. 3.42 is better for MPG if you do highway driving, while 4.10 will be much better if you tow often.

Tylerz71 Enthusiast

Tylerz71

Posted
Posted

I think that a 3:73 is ike the minumum, at least for me. My 33's do allright with my 5.3 with 3:73. but i am glad i dont have 3:42's. If I were to ever go over 33" tires, i would re-gear to at least 4:10.

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

 

 

I think that a 3:73 is ike the minumum, at least for me. My 33's do allright with my 5.3 with 3:73. but i am glad i dont have 3:42's. If I were to ever go over 33" tires, i would re-gear to at least 4:10.
Yeah, I wouldn't run anything over 30" with 3.42 gears.
onac255 Senior Enthusiast

onac255

Posted
Posted

Im running 265/70/17 bridgestone duelers with the 3.42 gears and she really is a dog off the line. But then again i can get 21-23 MPG on the highway. I really wish I had 3.73s

black jack Enthusiast

black jack

Posted
Posted

I had an 02 z71 chevy avalanche and it had the 3:75 rear loved it never got me stuck in mud, sugar sand and in rain never spun the tires, gas miles was around 21 highway. Now I have an 05 Z71 chevy avalanche with the 3:42. lets just say wish i still had my 02. I had the the 3:42tires spin in the rain and even gravel. gas miles Im getting 18-20. which is strange because my 02 was heaver than the 05.

thecraft Senior Enthusiast

thecraft

Posted
Posted

 

 

I had an 02 z71 chevy avalanche and it had the 3:75 rear loved it never got me stuck in mud, sugar sand and in rain never spun the tires, gas miles was around 21 highway. Now I have an 05 Z71 chevy avalanche with the 3:42. lets just say wish i still had my 02. I had the the 3:42tires spin in the rain and even gravel. gas miles Im getting 18-20. which is strange because my 02 was heaver than the 05.
Uh... a different gear ratio won't cause the bad traction you're describing. Your old truck might have had better tires or a locking rear differential. Going from 3.73 to 3.42 won't cause that.
Maguillacutty Enthusiast

Maguillacutty

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I hope somebody can help with my confusion here. Does anybody know why some of the Z71's have the 3.73 and some have the 3.42? My new truck came with the towing package and has the 3.42 gear ratio. Is it gonna bog me down Willie?? Will I feel a considerable difference between the too.

 

I have a 2001 chevy Z71 with the 3.73 gear ratio.. My new truck GMC 2007 Z71 classic ext cab has the 3.42 most important.. Would it be ok for me to switch them?? Both have the 5.3 V8

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