Choice of rear axle ratio would you pick?

divicevich · November 15, 2013

The reason they offer three gear sizes is that not everyone does the same thing with their trucks. My previous truck was 2011 Tundra 4x4, awesome truck but couldn't pass up a gas pump without stopping. Before that was a 09 Z71 w/3.42 gear, hated the way that truck shifted and the throttle response was DEAD. The heaviest thing I tow is a utility trailer for my Bad Boy Buggy. I do a lot of hwy driving for work and after the Tundra my goal was fuel savings. Decided on the LTZ 4x4 w/3.08 gear, for what I do the gear is fine and I am more than pleased with the gas mileage. It all depends on your needs and preference. Just trying to point out that the 3.08 is not junk, thx GM for giving us three choices to suit our individual needs.

suess13 · November 16, 2013

3.42 or 3.73 unless you truck is a street queen then 3.08 for the Prius truck driving tree lovers

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divicevich · November 16, 2013

3.42 or 3.73 unless you truck is a street queen then 3.08 for the Prius truck driving tree lovers

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So your saying if you don't do heavy towing or any towing at all you should still get the 3.42 or 3.73, if not you have a STREET QUEEN TRUCK or you are a TREE HUGGER. I'm neither just don't have a reason to have something that i don't need just to say I have it. Well thought out response to the original question. LIke stated plenty times before all the choices available meet certain needs. Pick the one that suits your needs and you'll be fine with any of the three gears offered.

BringTheRain403 · November 16, 2013

I wouldn't recommend 3.08's to my 80 year old grandmother and she drives like molasses in January. Just sayin...

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tripower · November 16, 2013

If you go through GM's truck builder, there are very few drivetrain and wheel combinations that will get you 3.08's. Most anything ordered with factory 20" wheels has to have 3.08's.

AgDoctor · November 16, 2013

I think it is silly that you can't get 3.73 with the Z71 or AT pkg.

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nibael · November 16, 2013

3.73 only on nht Z85. i've seen crazy mpgs (24-26) from customers with the 5.3 3.42, it is the best choice unless you will never tow or need to tow more than 9000 lbs.

redwngr · November 17, 2013

If you go through GM's truck builder, there are very few drivetrain and wheel combinations that will get you 3.08's. Most anything ordered with factory 20" wheels has to have 3.08's.

Actually, you cannot get the 3.08 with 20's. From the ordering guide:

Rear axle, 3.08 ratio

1 - Standard and only available on (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Not available with (RD3) 20" ultra bright machined aluminum wheels or (NZM) 20" chrome aluminum wheels.

FWIW, the 4.3L is standard with a 3.23, which is not available with either of the V8's.

AgDoctor · November 17, 2013

Ford offers 3.73 in theirs and Toyota has 4.30. Both have 6 speeds. All I'm saying is gear ratio shouldn't be limited to a pkg.

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DRS 95 Silverado · November 17, 2013

Actually, you cannot get the 3.08 with 20's. From the ordering guide:

Rear axle, 3.08 ratio

1 - Standard and only available on (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Not available with (RD3) 20" ultra bright machined aluminum wheels or (NZM) 20" chrome aluminum wheels.

FWIW, the 4.3L is standard with a 3.23, which is not available with either of the V8's.

Must have changed because I could have had the 3.08 or the 3.42. I have a SLT CC with the 20" wheels. I ordered mine with the 3.42.

BringTheRain403 · November 17, 2013

There are several on the lot at my local dealership with 20's and 3.08's

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tripower · November 17, 2013

Actually, you cannot get the 3.08 with 20's. From the ordering guide:

Rear axle, 3.08 ratio

1 - Standard and only available on (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Not available with (RD3) 20" ultra bright machined aluminum wheels or (NZM) 20" chrome aluminum wheels.

FWIW, the 4.3L is standard with a 3.23, which is not available with either of the V8's.

Actually, you cannot get the 3.08 with 20's. From the ordering guide:

Rear axle, 3.08 ratio1 - Standard and only available on (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Not available with (RD3) 20" ultra bright machined aluminum wheels or (NZM) 20" chrome aluminum wheels.

FWIW, the 4.3L is standard with a 3.23, which is not available with either of the V8's.

Geez I should read my posts first......I was referencing that same thing from the ordering guide

tripower · November 17, 2013

There are several on the lot at my local dealership with 20's and 3.08's

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Which dealer? I would like to see how they were built.

BringTheRain403 · November 17, 2013

When I was there with my dad 2 weeks ago Wright GMC in Wexford PA has several. I know for sure they had a brown one with 20's cause my dad test drive it but decided wanted the 3.42's if bought a truck and they had were 3.08's the lot. There were several with 20's...

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Badass69 · November 17, 2013

Ford offers 3.73 in theirs and Toyota has 4.30. Both have 6 speeds. All I'm saying is gear ratio shouldn't be limited to a pkg.

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Yota uses a 6 speed that is geared differently and follows along with the 430's in the back. I like the fixed position ratio being deeper and using the trans to compensate and not the other way around but oh well. Ford though.... yes they offer 373 in a lot more packages.... and don't tell the Gm lovers but the reason Ford calls their transmissions 6R80 and 6R90 plus have identical trans ratios to gm isn't coincidence. You can at least get 373 gears now with GM. Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk