Gear Recommendations / Opinions

[Bigunn]

Hi all !

Been reading thru your site for a while now & very impressed with all the tips and knowledge here !

 

I am looking for some rear axle gear opinions , I have a 04 2wd silverado 4.3 auto trans.

I will be pulling a travel trailer 4 -5 times a year and less than 100 miles a trip , the wieght is approx. 4850 lbs.

The truck has 3.42 rear axle now & 265/70/16 tires (original equip was 235/75/16's)

I just recently purchased the camper & towed it home (about a 200 mile trip),and wasnt all that dissapointed with the performance , just need a little more gear.

I bought this truck in summer of 06 with 15,000 miles for only 8 K ,(great deal IMO. )

 

I already have Timbren's on rear and installed a B&M supercooler 11"x 11" x 1.5 " on the tranny and a slightly smaller one for engine oil cooling.

 

Thanks for any advice !!

[J-man67]

I would go with some 4.10's. Those 3.42's provide slightly better efficiency, but not good for towing.

[Bigunn]

Thx for the reply , How much RPM/Mileage change do you think that will bring about ?

 

Been leaning towards a 3.73 or a 3.90 , the latter almost bought, but decided to see what some other opinions were.

Since i wont be towing regularly and we use the truck more like a car ( LOL ! ), i was hoping at best for just a slight decrease in MPG when not towing.

As of now while on highway at 65 - 70 mph rpm's are about 2000 empty in OD.

[Silverado4x4]

I would go with the 3.73 or the 3.90 not much differance between the two. The 4.10s are going to make you rev high on the highway with a 265 tire and if you would go back to the 235 tire you will be screaming the motor at highway speeds.