Chevy 1500HD with 3.73 or 2500HD with 4.10 gears

[rock2me]

I have my eye on two possible choices. They both have the 6.0L V8 gas engine.

This truck will be used as my daily commuter, 13 miles each way. The truck will also be used to tow a 1750 Fish Hawk with a four wheeler and two small dirt bikes in back.

Which would you get? What MPG would I expect from either of these rigs?

I understand I could pull more with the 4.10 gears but how much extra gas and added RPM's (read Gas)?


Thanks!





Good Luck

[PJM]

rock2me


If you are using the rig for heavy towing and that is all you are going to use it for buy the 4.10. But it sounds like you tow on weekends and use it as a main vehicle and that boat is not that heavy, get the 3.73. With that motor it will be just fine......

[perchjerker]

I agree with PJM. Ya aint pullin' stumps. That 4:10 will really whine on the freeway.

[phil wilson]

i have the 2500hd 4x4 with the 4:10 gears. I get 14-16 highway and 10 pulling Targa 2000. 85mph empty is 2700rpm definately not whinning. 85 mph pulling is 3000rpm. my avalance with 8.1 liter engine with 3:73 gears is almost exactly the same, except the 8.1L is flat out fast, and right now too.
sounds like the 1500 with 3;73 will do you just dandy

Phil

[J.P.]

Either one will get the job done. If I remember correctly the difference in the rpm's was only about 200rpm more with the 4:10 gears. Test drive both at 60mph and compare. Personally, I would prefer the 4:10's. I have a 5.3 with 3:73 gears and it is a little doggy in OD when I tow my boat. The extra 200 rpm would take care of that problem.

[rock2me]

Perchjerker,

I just got back from test driving the 2500HD with the 4.10 gears. It was turning at or just under 2500 RPM's at ~70MPH. Do you think that is too much? Boy, she seemed responsive, from the start all the way to highway speeds. I know you were in the automotive business, so I value your opinion.

I did not mention before but this 2500HD is only $200 more than the 1500HD. They are both Crew Cab's and the 2500HD has a couple more options on it.

When I go to trade in the future do you think a 1500HD with 3.73 gears will be worth more, less or the same than a similarly equiped 2500HD with 4.10?


Thanks guys!




Good Luck

[WAeyes]

The 1500 will be worth less than the 2500 when you trade it in. They are both adequate trucks to do what you want but the 2500 will always have the ability to do more. If they are that close in price, get the most bang for your buck.

[HD Dude]

WAeyes is right. The 2500HD should have a better market value when trade-in time comes. It's a completely different beast under the sheetmetal than the 1500HD. The 2500HD has a bigger, heftier frame along with different suspension components and axles. The 1500HD frame is more like the 2500LD's with a lighter axle.

[Texeye]

I have a 2500 HD and I checked my mileage on my fourth tank of gas.Highway mileage out to N.M.(of which 80% was 70 to 80 miles an hour) I got 14 M.P.G.My next trip, pulling my boat (18ft aluminum), I got just a little over 11 M.P.G. Truck seems to have plenty of power.

[walleye1230]

I've got a 3/4 ton with the 6.0 and 4.10 rear end. I get about 13 city, highway, towing my 2200 lb boat, it really doesn't matter what I do. Going 75, it runs about 2500 rpm, thats when it really sucks gas. Keep it 70 or under and mileage does improve a little. I would go with the 4.10, bad gas mileage, but virutally no gear hunting, great torque, great for towing, and it takes a good size hill to knock it out of overdrive. Good luck.

[Walleye Express]

Rock2me.
Man are you in luck. I lease a new vehicle every 2 years. My truck from 1999 to 2001 was a 1500HD and my new truck is a 2500HD. I also have and tow on occasion a 25.6 Grady White Sportsfisher charter boat with twin 470 mercs. Probably one of the most heavy fiberglass crafts ever built in that length and configurations. A nice, safe riding craft on the water, but Oh'Baby, she's heavy on land. Anyway, after towing this craft with both vehicles I've found they both do the job O.K. The push button towing feature works great on both, especialy when pulling the monster out on the marine ramp. I do truly love the transmission cooling system and readout on the 25000 though. And the gas mileage is 2 to 3 miles better on the 1500 when not towing than the 2500. So, I curse myself everytime for buying the 2500 when the gas prices go up, but smile like a chessar cat when I'm towing Old'Tubby. Oh ya, the all around ride when not towing is more (lumber wagon like) in the 2500 than the 1500. And thats one of the first things the (Warden)/ wife noticed.

[Jim/UT]

Ditto on my findings with my 3/4 with 6.0L, 4.10. My mileage is 13-14 hwy, 11-13 towing my 17ft Smokercraft. I get 11mpg with boat and camper. Even then I can still pass anytime I want. Could never do that with the old 350. Plenty of snort even out here in the Rockies. Frame feel is very solid. I have a longbed so the ride is pretty decent. Brakes are great!

Jim

[perchjerker]

I just saw your question, the reponses you are getting are right on the money, nothing I can add.

[rodbuilder]

I curently own both a 1500 and a 2500hd

the 1500 has a 5.3 with 3.73 gears

the hd has 6.0 with 4.10

suprisingly enough the half ton has more power

i tow a 2025 pro v and unless i am going a long way i use the half ton

i get 15-17 mpg with my half ton and about 10-12 with the 2500

in my opinion go with the half ton

i needed the 2500 to tow my bobcat

if i didn't do that i would get rid of it

[rock2me]

Thanks, for all the input.

After weighing what everyone said......drum roll please....... I went with the 2500HD with the 4.10 axles.

I realize I'm going to pay a little more in gas. However, I will be able to pull anything I want with this rig, with ease.

Now the next purchase. A rack to hold a four wheeler off the hitch and then still be able to tow a boat. If that isn't an option I need a rack to hold 2-3 dirt bikes off the hitch and then still be able to tow.


Good Luck

[PJM]

rock2me


As far as gas it will probably be better when pulling and it will be easier on the transmission in the long run. Just my opinion

[Kevin B]

I agree with JP. because I have the 5.3 with 3.73 gearing. But riding in rigs with the 6.0, 3.73, much beter. I'm lucky to get 13.0 mpg. I'll bet the 6.0 gets better mileage too.

[Kevin B]

After reading this and previous threads about these trucks (and I own one), I am amazed at the wide disparity in opinions regarding power and gas mileage. You would think that, given the hi-tech world of cars today, the deviations from the norm would be tighter. I was pretty sure that when I trade next year, I'd move up to a 6.0L. Maybe not the best idea. I think my 1500 5.3L,3.73 gearing,is minimal for towing. Of course, I'm comparing it to my 1980 K10 with a 350, flat tops, TRW2784 cam, Edelbrock intake,etc., that gets 17mpg with more power than my 5.3, and a different kind of power.
Anybody tinkering with their 5.3 for increased power? Chips available? Edelbrock intakes? Headers? Exhaust system?
Better yet, how about giving me a Chevy Truck chatsite before we make WalleyeCentral into ChevyCentral.

[HD Dude]

Kevin,

Basically, most people are starting with a high flow intake and exhaust for increased performance. Add a chip to modify the power curve and that's about all you can do without tearing into the motor itself. Those items combined should gain an advertised 40-50 HP at the flywheel for you.

[Tennessee Jed]

Ya done good! If there was only $200 difference between the two, the 2500 was a no-brainer.

I have a 2500HD Crew Cab with the 8.1 engine and 4.10 gears. Gas mileage is 8-10 city, 12-15 hwy. Towing a 2500 lb. boat and trailer, highway mileage is still around 12. The acceleration on this thing is incredible! I surprise a lot of people in my little town when they want to start riding up on my truck from behind, especially on our little mountain roads. When I put the pedal down coming out of a curve, they just can't keep up!

I talked to a guy yesterday who has a 6.0 1500, and he said his gas mileage wasn't much better than mine. Not sure what rear end his truck has, but I would guess the 3.73.

That Allison five-speed is hard to beat!

[Kevin B]

HDD- 15% more power. That's a lot more power. I'd still like to know of a website or two about truck topics. Chevy in particular.