Faith Fellowship
USA
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Joined: 10/25/2009
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Well, we did it! Saturday we got a used '05 Chevy 2500HD LT crew cab 2WD 6L V8 standard box with 30,283 miles. Question: should I spend the $800-$1000 to switch to a 3.73 rear end or will I be better off keeping the current 4.10? We're planning on trading from a TT to a 5er in the future and will drive this truck minimally aside from camping trips here in Alabama and the smokey mountains of TN. Currently we get 13mpg.
Thank you, in advance, for your advice - Pastor Bill
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dbbls
Missouri
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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I would not change it. First, there will be very little differance and you would never make up the differance in fuel savings. In fact, you may get better mileage while towing.
1999 F250 Superduty, V10 with Banks Power Pack
2004 Colorado 29RL 5th wheel with 3600 watt Onan
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downtheroad
Puget Sound
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Congrats on the new truck.
Certainly the 4:10 will tow better. I doubt you will see that much improvement in mileage if you switch to the 3.73 and you will probably not recoup the $800-$1000 you spend doing it..
If it were mine I'd leave it..
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jliveit
ohio
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If you want 3:73s, just go up a size on the tires and the computer programed for the larger tire size so the speedometer and odometer reads correct.
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smkettner
Southern California
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At least drive it first and use it on the flats, up a hill and into the wind to see just how it does. If it always seems to need 1/2 gear lower then consider the change. If you want more gear and you are spending money you might be better with 4.56.
Good chance the fifth wheel will have a higher profile and if you get 4.10 you will then find you are looking for just a little more and end up doing it twice.
On edit:
I now see I misread your post. No way would I spend money to go 3.73
If spending money it would sooner be to 4.56/4.88 
* This post was
edited 11/05/09 06:43pm by smkettner *
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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eornomp@msn.com
WI
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Joined: 08/04/2009
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Keep the 4.10. Fuel economy for our RVs is affected more by the lack of aero dynamic efficeincy and wieght than that small difference in rear end ratio. You'll appreciate the additional power though, when needed. For the same money you'd be able to upgrade the exhaust and ignition and realize an increase in both power and fuel economy.
Jay and Peggy
Southern WI
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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don't change it, the difference in mpg is not that much but the towing difference is terrific. 4.10's will out pull the 3.73 with your new 5'ver
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K3WE
Missouri
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We had a 3.42 Suburban and then got a 4.10.
I could tell virtually no difference. (I don't argue that there's a true change, but math says it's about 15% and that's small compared to going up a hill versus down a hill.)
Plus folks are saying (probably correctly) that the 6-speed tranny's make the rear end even less critical.
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msjdbman
SW Michigan
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My 05 with a 6.0 had the 4.10s and I never would have considered going to a 3.73. I did the switch on my 99 with the 6.0 from 3.73 to 4.10, and was darned glad I did. Remember, the 05`s still had the 4 speed OD tranny.
2008 Duramax/Allison LT2 Crew cab Standard Box. Hellwig Air Assist.
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4*phun*2
Canada
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Keep the 4.10. As previous. At least use it a couple of times.
Glenn & Karen
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