osrob
Southern California
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Joined: 04/19/2008
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I have Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3l, 3.73 differential and tow 5,500 lb TT.
Current minor grades at 55 MPH kick me down from D to 3 then often to 2nd gear. And motor screams.
I have kicked it up to 65MPH on similar grades and find 3rd holds nicely in this power band.
But, I like to tow at 55-60MPH, and this is currently a weak spot.
My solution is to change the rear end from 3.73 to 4.11 to get the better power band in 3rd at 55-60MPH.
Mileage will suffer a bit, but I'll feel a lot better.
Has anybody done this?
Please share your feedback.
Osrob
What you see is what you get... I aim to see a lot!
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md2lgyk
Harpers Ferry, WV
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Joined: 07/11/2007
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Save some money and just change how you drive. I have the same motor but in a GMC Sierra, and my TT is around 7,000 lbs packed to go. We've towed it over 10,000 miles around the country (18 states just since May) so I have a bit of experience with this.
First, NEVER use Drive. It gets you nothing, and the constant shifting up and down will wear out your transmission. Use third gear with tow mode on. Second, unless you're someplace very flat like much of the Midwest, don't use cruise control - pretty much for the same reason. Third, gasoline engines need RPMs to make torque. If you're at 3500 rpm going up a hill, the truck's doing what it's designed to do. If it downshifts again and now you're at 5,000 rpm, learn to live with it, slow down, or buy a diesel.
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goodcruisin
Greenwood, IN
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The cost going from 3.73 to 4.11 doesn't outweigh the slight gain. I agree with md2lgyk. The GM Vortec engines do really well at higher rpm. You aren't going to damage the engine unless you run it above 5 grand for hours on end. As was previously suggested, listen to what the truck is telling and adjust your driving habits to suit it. Some engines really like a certain rpm. I've had some engines that sound like they were going to fly apart at 4,000 but as soon as they'd hit 4,200 they were happy as a pig in mud.
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MudChucker
Winnipeg Manitoba
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I recognize that the money perspective is more a personal decision, we all make mods to our trucks that *want* to make that never recoup the cost...
I wanted to do a gear swap similar to this with my F150, I was told to expect a 1200 rpm increase, seemed like a good decision...
but I bought the Sierra instead as my F150 was never meant to be my tow vehicle.
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Garfie|d
South-Western Ontario
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Recognizing that driving habits are a highly personal issue, I'd save my money and just leave the truck in 3rd gear when towing.
Gary
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2001 GMC Yukon 5.3L 3.73
Hensley Arrow • Jordan Ultima • Barker 3000 • Mckesh
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Gary n Vicky
Piney Woods of Texas
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I absolutely love GM trucks, and they are built well. If you change from 3.73 to 4.10 gears your engine will be turning more RPM's to obtain the same speed. I thought that was what you were trying to avoid. Depending on the year of your TV, max torque is reached at 4200 RPM with 3.73 gears. 4200 RPM's will not hurt you engine Stay off the CC and use your tow haul. Slow down and enjoy you're trip. It's not your truck that you need to change. We have all go through the "it's got to be my equipment" stage. It's a learned process. You have a good truck and a great motor. Hang in there.
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mecreature
Indianapolis, IN
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I get the same thing and have the 3.42 gears.. I use 3rd with tow haul on all the time.
Cruise on hills will drop down in a heartbeat.. Just take the cruise off will solve most of your problem (depending on where you are driving).
I would get more bang for the buck on a gear swap.. especially with a 2wd. A still use cruise but turn it off coming up on a hill.. Give it a bit more gas and wait to downshift if need be. Now with a bigger trailer or traveling in a different part of the country I might be singing a different song..
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hpage3
Seabrook,New Hampshire USA
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I would also like to ask the same question ,but for a different truck and gear ratio. 04 Dodge Ram 1500,short bed,quad cab 4x4 with 5.7 hemi and 3.53 gears. Towing 31 ft (see sig)dry wt 6,000lbs,gvwr of 7500lbs. With the K&N cold air intake and Gibson extreme dual exhaust I can't hear myself think going up hills. Main question would be is it really worth it? or just wait until I'm able to buy a 3/4 ton ram with 4.10?
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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I will second the above posts. GM's small block V8's are really good engines. I have the 5.3l in my Suburban and the 6.2l in the newer Denali.
I have 4.10's in my Suburban but bought it that way. Amazingly enough - we don't tow with the Suburban because the Denali with the 3.42's and engine/trans stats just tow WAY TOO AMAZING to change.
I say this because we have rear gearing on both ends of the spectrum. Rear gearing is only PART of the whole equation. 3.73's are no slouch and neither is the engine. Your not overloaded with the 5500# trailer and I too feel that you probably need to change your expections in how you drive as opposed to a gear swap. For our TV, we found that it does it's best at 62 mph on the flats and 55 mph up grades (we've done grades as high as 10%) Make sure you always use the tow/haul mode when towing. This changes the shift points in the transmission increasing the torque when pulling the TT from a dead stop and also when going up grades. It's made to do that so don't be afraid of letting the engine rev when hitting a grade. That's what it was designed to do.
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HighCover
Fort Worth
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No way, just drive in "3".
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