blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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What tranny does the GM come with? MANY of the newer 6 sp autos have a lower overall ratio with 3.42's than the older ones with 4 sp auto's and 4.10's. So reality is, with 3.42's you would get the best of both worlds. Low initial take gears, and a taller high gear for mpg's while driving empty.
Marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
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david_42
Oregon
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Most trucks have this thing called a transmission, which changes the engine to drive ratio. Having to go up the occasional hill in 3rd or 4th just doesn't seem to be that big a deal. Nothing says you have to be able to climb Pike's Peak at 80 in overdrive. If it's your DD and the combination is rated for your tow, the 3.42 is the way to go.
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Greentreena
British Columbia
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3.73s would be better however if you are using it as a daily driver and only tow once and a while, you might be able to live with 3.42 gears. It sure wouldn't be my first choice but I tow a much heavier trailer.
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Mega Cab 4x4
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fishfinder
Colorado, USA
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Joined: 08/14/2003
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blt2ski wrote:What tranny does the GM come with? MANY of the newer 6 sp autos have a lower overall ratio with 3.42's than the older ones with 4 sp auto's and 4.10's. So reality is, with 3.42's you would get the best of both worlds. Low initial take gears, and a taller high gear for mpg's while driving empty.
Marty
Like he said.
I suspect the new one you're looking at has the new 6spd auto, which will be better than the older 4spd/3.73 combo. If you normalize the overall gear ratios, then 1st gear in the new 6spd/3.42 will be equivalent to a 4spd with 3.92 gears. I would go for it.
fishfinder, Colorado
'08 Chevy K1500 Ext.Cab 5.3L/3.73
'03 Phoenix Pop-Up Truck Camper
'98 Four Winns 18' Fish & Ski Boat
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smccollamjr
WV
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It's a "new to me" 2006. I'm not sure what tranny is in it, but I'm pretty sure it's a 4-speed.
2008 Jayco 23B
2006 CC Silverado 1500/5.3/3.42
Me, DW, & 2 Boys
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Thud
MS
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If it is a 2006, it will be the 4L60E 4-speed with ratios of
3.06
1.63
1.00
0.70
The GCWR numbers for 2006 with 5.3 was
3.23 - 12,000 lbs
3.42 - 13,000 lbs
3.73 - 13,000 lbs
4.10 - 14,000 lbs
They show 3.42 and 3.73 as the same but the 3.73 will definitely pull better. With the 3.42's, you will be towing in 3rd gear as 4th will be too high and lug the engine or will downshift constantly.
Here are the GCWR numbers from 1997 for the 350 ci engine and show the benefit of the lower ratio gears.
3.08 - 10,000 lbs
3.42 - 11,000 lbs
3.73 - 12,000 lbs
4.10 - 13,500 lbs
4.56 - 15,000 lbs
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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"IF" it has the 4l60e, the first gear is 3.08-1 or about 5-1 with the TC engaged. Depending upon the tire diam, it may or may not be a big deal with 3.42's. #.73's would be better overall. If you were to look at a 2500 with the 4l80e your first gear is a 2.48, with an effective ratio of 4-1 with the TC engaged So even a 4.10 geared rig is only overall 16-1, where as the 3.42 rig with a 4l60e has a 17.1-1 overall low, and the 3.73 is 18.65-1.
Personally I would not worry too much about the 3.42 setup. A 3.73 'would be better for start ups. On the other hand, the new 6l90e in the 2500's starts with a 4-1, putting you at about 6.5-1 with the TC, and 3.42 gears at 22.2-1 overall effective low!
Marty
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K3WE
Missouri
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david_42 wrote:Most trucks have this thing called a transmission, which changes the engine to drive ratio. Having to go up the occasional hill in 3rd or 4th just doesn't seem to be that big a deal. Nothing says you have to be able to climb Pike's Peak at 80 in overdrive. If it's your DD and the combination is rated for your tow, the 3.42 is the way to go.
I tend to agree.
I don't want to say that the rear end has no effect, but it's really more of a fine-adjustment, with lower-gear rear ends giving the TV a little more pull and (as cited above, an incremental increase in tow capacity).
And triple dittos (paraphrase) to the final line "if it is within your rated tow capacity, what's the worry"
The move from the mid-sized Toyota SUV to a "real truck" is probably an improvement in towing ability, even though your proposed rear end is towards the high side. Your camper weight sounds like it won't be pushing the limits.
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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smccollamjr wrote:I have a Jayco 23B (5000 GVR) that I tow with a v6 Toyota 4-Runner w/ 4.10 gears. I've been looking to replace it with a crew cab 1/2 ton Silverado w/ 5.3L V8 and 3.73 gears. I'm having trouble finding that combo w/ 3.73s, but there are lots with 3.42s. Is it going to be that big of a difference? This truck will see more DD miles than towing miles.
IMHO the difference between 3.42 and say a 4.10 is HUGE and the 3.42 can be significant even at highway speeds. The difference between 3.73 and 4.10 can be significant in the initial pulling power in starting off until up to freeway speeds ... say 50mph and above.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
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glazier
Kentucky
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I would stay away from a 3.42 if I was going to tow any size TT. A 3.42 just isn't designed for towing, they do a poor job on even the smallest of hill.
2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5 FBHS
08 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax CC/SB/4X4
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