Swapping Out 3.42 To 3.73 Gear Ratio

Maguillacutty · February 14, 2008

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.

Im kinda bummed because I just learned that I have a 3.42 gear ratio in my new truck and my older truck has the 3.73

I have a 2001 chevy Z71 5.3 V8 with the 3.73 gear ratio.. My new truck GMC 2007 Z71 5.3 V8 classic ext cab has the 3.42 gear ratio.. Would it be ok for me to switch them?? Both have the 5.3 V8. Would it be bad if I switched the them out with one another being my truck is newer 07 VS 01. everything looks the same.. I would rather have performance than better gas milage at the end of the day..

2000DV4.8 · February 14, 2008

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.
Im kinda bummed because I just learned that I have a 3.42 gear ratio in my new truck and my older truck has the 3.73

I have a 2001 chevy Z71 5.3 V8 with the 3.73 gear ratio.. My new truck GMC 2007 Z71 5.3 V8 classic ext cab has the 3.42 gear ratio.. Would it be ok for me to switch them?? Both have the 5.3 V8. Would it be bad if I switched the them out with one another being my truck is newer 07 VS 01. everything looks the same.. I would rather have performance than better gas milage at the end of the day..

You won't notice a huge difference between 3.42 and 3.73. The price/work involved in the swap wouldn't really be worth it. But, you say you'd rather have performance than gas mileage, so I'd reccommend stepping up to the 4.10s. It will be more comfortable driving in the city, since you'll have more power off the line, and it won't affect your highway mileage too bad. There will be a huge difference betwen the 3.42 and 4.10 towing also. My vote is for the 4.10's:thumbs: