Chevy Gear Ratios

[Sean]

Was looking at getting a new chevy 1/2 ton. I have had 3.42 rear end in old one and am Familiar with the 3.73 but this truck has 3.08. The boat I pull is around 2500 pounds.Makes me leery of getting the 3.08's and not being happy.Opinions? Thanks for the help!

[Hot Runr Guy]

I've got a company-supplied 1500 CC 4wd, with the base 4.8L motor, and I believe the 3.42 rear end ratio. Not to complain, but this thing has NO low-end torque when towing a trailer like yours. At 70mph, it's running about 18-1900 rpm, and any kind of incline or headwind causes it to start downshifting.

I'd be curious to see a torque curve graph on this thing, and see what it has at the 2K rpm level. While the truck runs well by itself, it's no tow vehicle, at least with the 4.8L.

HRG

[gm@go2fairway.com]

Buy a new Ford Ecoboost....Tows like a dream!

[Bigfishhunter]

True story, I am a fan of chevy's but I would seriously look at the eco boost, my boss bought one, and he tows a large camper (8000lbs) He loves it for it's towing capabilities.

I too would be interested to see the torque graph.

[brown1317]

3.08 is to high, 3.42 at least, 3.73 is best.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Bigfishhunter

True story, I am a fan of chevy's but I would seriously look at the eco boost, my boss bought one, and he tows a large camper (8000lbs) He loves it for it's towing capabilities.

I too would be interested to see the torque graph.

The internet is a wonderful thing,,,,,,,,

HRG

[CraigM]

I tow a tandem trailer 21 ft boat etc when I tried to buy a Chevy 2012 LTZ truck I was told by two dealers that they will not even order a 3:73 gear ration unless you buy the 6 lt engine . Apparentlly 2012 and up due to government motors having to meet the new fuel standards for trucks they are telling us what we can have. So it will be another Ford for me. My neighbor has chev 1500 with the 5.3 and 3;42 he told me it has a very difficult timme pulling his 1890 warrior. If you are going to tow oon a regular basis I don't think folks will be happy with a 3:08 or 3:42

[yarcraft91]

Take a look at the transmission options. Some of those new Chevy light trucks have 6-speed transmissions now, so you have a lower first gear and you can tow in 4th or 5th. The 3.08 or 342 axle isn't an issue if the transmission is geared right. Here is a comparison of the gear ratios in the 6-speed and 4-speed transmissions (6L80 and 4L80).

Gear..6-sp....4-sp
1......4.027....2.48
2......2.364....1.48
3......1.532....1.00
4......1.152....0.75
5......0.852
6......0.667
R......3.064....2.07

But, with the 5.3L and 4-speed transmission in my '04 Suburban, I'm glad I have a 3.73 axle for towing. I expect the 3.08 axle on new trucks is some attempt by GM to squeeze out another 0.2 mpg on the EPA fuel mileage test to raise their CAFE. I was victimized by that in a 1983 van with "standard rear axle" that couldn't tow worth a hoot or even maintain 70 mph into a headwind.

[Sean]

Right now I have a 2009 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.42's. It pulls my boat good and I get about 13.5-14 mpg pulling the boat. I don't think I would be happy with the downshifting in any headwinds or hilly terrain.

Nothing wrong with my current truck but can upgrade from a 2009 to a 2012 and go up to the LTZ package for 9500.00 with dealer swapping out my tonneau cover,running boards and putting on new mud flaps.

Thanks for all the replies so far.Gives me a lot to think about.

[TJEli]

Originally Posted by yarcraft91

Take a look at the transmission options. Some of those new Chevy light trucks have 6-speed transmissions now, so you have a lower first gear and you can tow in 4th or 5th. The 3.08 or 342 axle isn't an issue if the transmission is geared right. Here is a comparison of the gear ratios in the 6-speed and 4-speed transmissions (6L80 and 4L80).

Gear..6-sp....4-sp
1......4.027....2.48
2......2.364....1.48
3......1.532....1.00
4......1.152....0.75
5......0.852
6......0.667
R......3.064....2.07

But, with the 5.3L and 4-speed transmission in my '04 Suburban, I'm glad I have a 3.73 axle for towing. I expect the 3.08 axle on new trucks is some attempt by GM to squeeze out another 0.2 mpg on the EPA fuel mileage test to raise their CAFE. I was victimized by that in a 1983 van with "standard rear axle" that couldn't tow worth a hoot or even maintain 70 mph into a headwind.

What he said. ^^^ There is a lot more to it than just the rear end ratio. GM dropped the 3.73 offering for the 5.3L in 2009 because they went to a 6 speed tranny vs a 4 speed. The 5.3L with 3.42s and a 6 speed actually has a better final drive ratio than the 5.3L with a 4 speed and 3.73s. The 6 speed with a 3.08 will be more than fine for that light boat. The only way you can get a 3.73 in a GM half ton any more is with the Max Tow package which includes the 6.2L.

I have driven an Ecoboost. My very good friend has one. I will keep my Chev. Just my opinion.

-Eli