3:4:2 Gear ratio

[M2wRx04]

I was wondering if anyone had a chance to experience what a 3:4:2 gear ratio was like off line and towing with. Would just like for some people to chime in on the caparisons between the 3:7:3 and the 3:4:2 gear ratio.

[3wbdriver]

I towed a '95 Monte Carlo on a 16' utility trailer a couple months ago. I have a 4.3 V6/5spd, with the 3.42 ratio. I personally believe it's a good compromize between pulling power, and gas economy

[99redsilverado]

i have a 05 suburban with the 3:42
i tow a 36 foot camper and it hauls pretty good, when its unloaded its got some oomph, and you still get 20+ mpg

[korndogg]

dunno about towing but i have 3.42's in my camaro and it hauls

[twomorestrokes]

I had 3.42's in both my '90 and '95 K2500's and hated them for towing. Even when towing just a clamshell snowmobile trailer, I usually had to keep it in the D range to keep it from "hunting" and getting hot on the highway. This kept my mileage down to 9 or 10. When I went to 285's, it finished it off.

My current truck has 4.10's in it, and it keeps the effective ratio at about 3.80:1 with 285.s, and it is much better.

[2500HD4x4]

I used to tow everyday with a 1993 3/4t light duty that had a 3.42:1 rear end and 5 spd manual. When towing, the OD (5th gear) was pretty worthless, but otherwise great when unloaded. Good combo of gas mileage and power. Granny low was plenty when starting with a heavy load. Everybody is concerned with going as fast as possible these days and winning the HP war. I now have a 1998 3/4ton HD with an automatic and 3.73 rear end. It definitely pulls better than the 1993, but its got 30 more HP and better gearing. With my current truck I've pulled a 12,000 lb trailer over Colorado mtn passes at 10,000 ft. I'm not winning any races, but the truck handled it beautifully.

Bottom line - 10 years ago, everyone towed with a vehicle that had 3.73s or 4.10s, but 100 less HP. It doesn't really matter than much. I would go with the 3.73 if you tow a lot, otherwise the 3.42 is probably fine and you'll get a little better gas mileage.

Originally Posted by M2wRx04

I was wondering if anyone had a chance to experience what a 3:4:2 gear ratio was like off line and towing with. Would just like for some people to chime in on the caparisons between the 3:7:3 and the 3:4:2 gear ratio.

[M2wRx04]

Well, last week I went and bought the myself a brand-new 2005 chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L HD crew cab with the 3:4:2 gear ratio. During the first week that I had it, I took a trip to Boston with is about a 360 miles round trip. As of right now I have about 600 miles on the truck. When I had got back from boston, I filled up and did the math to see just how many miles to the gallon I was getting. As I did the math, I was shocked to find that I had gotten about 19.5 miles to the gallon. Yes it was with most highway miles but there was a fair share of city miles in the trip as well. Hell I didn’t think that was all that bad considering the engine is not even brock in yet, and the fact that I have done absolutely nothing to the truck except put gas into it. I have not yet got the opportunity to tow anything with the truck, but I am sure the 300 hp will get the job done.

[jem270]

I have the 2003 5.3 extended cab with towing package, 3.42, and locking rear end. I tow a 19 foot bowrider on two lane very hilly roads. I use the tow haul mode and do not use overdrive. Pulls like a dream. I origionally tried to find a 3.73 but I could not. I am now glad I have the 3.42 because I average 19.5 mpg going back and forth to work (25 miles each way, half is interstate and half is two lane. Last summer I got 21.3 mpg on a vacation trip to the beach and back (5 hour interstate ride each way).

[GlocksRock]

My new '05 is an ext. cab 4x4 with 4.10s. I had to search high and low for it, since 99% come with the 3.42s, which I really didn't want. Anyways I love the 4.10s! The truck has a lot of oomph. I can accelerate from a stop to cruising speed pretty quickly, and not exceed 2000 rpms. Highway rpms are a little high, though. Around 2300 at 75 mph.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by GlocksRock

My new '05 is an ext. cab 4x4 with 4.10s. I had to search high and low for it, since 99% come with the 3.42s, which I really didn't want. Anyways I love the 4.10s! The truck has a lot of oomph. I can accelerate from a stop to cruising speed pretty quickly, and not exceed 2000 rpms. Highway rpms are a little high, though. Around 2300 at 75 mph.

The 4.10's are great. I have them with the 6.0 engine, and it's a nice package, allowing regular towing in overdrive and rarely requiring use of the Tow/Haul mode.

However, due to installing 385's, my ratio is closer to 3.80. I knew I was going to use these tires, so I made sure the truck I bought had the higher ratio to begin with. The truck actually got slightly better mileage before the tire swap when the ratio was a true 4.10:1.

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by twomorestrokes

However, due to installing 385's....

Damn Huge tire

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by jeverett

Damn Huge tire

Yeah, you should see the sucker! Dang near 40" tall on a 16" rim. LOL!

Cut me a break...it was early on Monday morning. I meant 285's.

[jeverett]

I know.. just pickin' my man.