Tom400CFI
Newbie
Having done some "extensive internet research", I have found that there were two ratio options for the NV3500; 2wd "close ratio", and 4wd "wide ratio". Is that true? I'm PRETTY sure that there are more ratio options than that. A 4.3 w/an NV3500? Those have a pretty short OD and a darn low 1st. Does a 305 TBI 4x4 truck have the same ratios as a 350 Vortec 4x4 truck? I don't think it does. Does it?
Reason for asking: I had a wicked awesome, "unicorn" truck for a long time; a '96 xcab, s-bed, 4x4, 350/5 speed, with a 3.73 10 bolt. Best vehicle I've ever owned and I sold it at 300,000 miles and I shouldn't have done that. A friend of mine affectionately knick-named this truck "The Kenworth", because it'd tow my boat like a freith train.
I've tried 4 different trucks to replace this truck, over the last several years and I've been sorely disappointment in all but a early '07 Duramax, which was awesome, but total overkill for my needs. Anyway, the Kenworth was the perfect combination of all options, which resulted in fantastic performance, great fuel economy, and....it drove "like a car" w/regard to power/performance, shifting (gear ratios) etc.
The truck I have now is a '98 same thing, but it has a 305, 12 bolt rear with, I'd guess, the 3.42 gear? The 12 bolt saps power, the gear kills what ever power is left, and the trans seems to have much wider spaced ratios than the Kenworth had, hurting drivability even more; Climbing a canyon I climb to get to work, 3rd gear is too tall, 2nd is too low.
I want to find or recreate the Kenworth. Part of doing that is understanding the NV3500 options/gear ratio's. What light can this forum shed on this? Thanks.
Reason for asking: I had a wicked awesome, "unicorn" truck for a long time; a '96 xcab, s-bed, 4x4, 350/5 speed, with a 3.73 10 bolt. Best vehicle I've ever owned and I sold it at 300,000 miles and I shouldn't have done that. A friend of mine affectionately knick-named this truck "The Kenworth", because it'd tow my boat like a freith train.
I've tried 4 different trucks to replace this truck, over the last several years and I've been sorely disappointment in all but a early '07 Duramax, which was awesome, but total overkill for my needs. Anyway, the Kenworth was the perfect combination of all options, which resulted in fantastic performance, great fuel economy, and....it drove "like a car" w/regard to power/performance, shifting (gear ratios) etc.
The truck I have now is a '98 same thing, but it has a 305, 12 bolt rear with, I'd guess, the 3.42 gear? The 12 bolt saps power, the gear kills what ever power is left, and the trans seems to have much wider spaced ratios than the Kenworth had, hurting drivability even more; Climbing a canyon I climb to get to work, 3rd gear is too tall, 2nd is too low.
I want to find or recreate the Kenworth. Part of doing that is understanding the NV3500 options/gear ratio's. What light can this forum shed on this? Thanks.