08 Silverado Rear End Id

[dlewis1111]

 

I am researching to order a ring and pinion set for my 08 1500 5.3 with the G80 and 3.42 gears. I just wanted some help confirming that the rear axle in the truck is still the GM corporate 8.5" 10 bolt 30 spline version. It certainly looks like it, but surprisingly I have not had luck with finding data. Even Richmond Gear's website assumes that you know what you have when ordering gears. (Yes, if you can't ID the rear axle, why are you messing with the gear set?) I don't see any evidence that there is an anti-lock brake ring in the system so I don't think this will be a problem, but again I could be wrong. I am going to be doing some towing and wanted better gears. I have also put a 3" lift on and will be installing bigger tires. My thoughts are in the 4.10 range if I use the 285/70 17 BFG A/T's. Opinions? Thanks for the help. This forum has really been a great source of info and ideas, although my wife hates it because every time I see a new idea it reflects in the check book!!

[Ryan00TJ]

I am researching to order a ring and pinion set for my 08 1500 5.3 with the G80 and 3.42 gears. I just wanted some help confirming that the rear axle in the truck is still the GM corporate 8.5" 10 bolt 30 spline version. It certainly looks like it, but surprisingly I have not had luck with finding data. Even Richmond Gear's website assumes that you know what you have when ordering gears. (Yes, if you can't ID the rear axle, why are you messing with the gear set?) I don't see any evidence that there is an anti-lock brake ring in the system so I don't think this will be a problem, but again I could be wrong. I am going to be doing some towing and wanted better gears. I have also put a 3" lift on and will be installing bigger tires. My thoughts are in the 4.10 range if I use the 285/70 17 BFG A/T's. Opinions? Thanks for the help. This forum has really been a great source of info and ideas, although my wife hates it because every time I see a new idea it reflects in the check book!!

 

Correct 8.5" 10 bolt 30 spline axle shafts. I've seen some data showing it as 8.625" RG but the 8.5" stuff works fine and is the same size. ABS sensors should be on the axle near the wheel and have no bearing on the ring and pinion. 4.10's would be my choice for a lift and larger tires. My stock 5.3L with 3.73's does pretty well. I tow a 1K lbs waverunner and 5Klbs boat. However, if you are going to swap gears, IMO it's not worth it from just 3.42 to 3.73's. Go 4.10's. There is only one downside to lower gearing. It's fuel mileage which will decrease to an extent as the engine will turn my rpms at any given speed vs before. Acceleration and throttle response and the ability to hold gears while towing will be vastly improved.

[C & A s Dad]

Depending what you are towing but I would recommend the 4.10s as well. If your driving is more in town or on rural roads at speeds under 65, you could actually see an increase in MPG with the 4.10s. If your driving is mostly on the Interstate at speeds over 70, you will likely see some drop in MPG.

 

I tow a 6500 camper (brick) with a 1500 Yuk XL 5.3 with 4.10s and it does well. It also averages just over 18 MPG when not towing.