whats would be a happy medium gear ratio?

[bowtie-till-i-die]

MY truck has a 3.43 and i have a v6, but im headed to junkyard tomorow and was wanting to get an axle to narrow and i might as well get the right gear ratio while im at it. Near future plans consist of a v8 so I only want to do this once. any help would be awesome

 

[1997chevydriver]

I have 3.42s in my truck and I really want to go to 3.73 because to me the motor seems to cruise at too low of an rpm for max efficiency (sp?)

 

[bowtie-till-i-die]

sp?...??

 

[1997chevydriver]

spelling

 

[Mean Green]

What size tire are you planning to run? You should factor that into your decision as well! I personally would recommend the 3.73 gears for an all around happy medium, you should have good acceleration, top end and also get decent mileage!

 

[sewlow]

I went from 3.42 to 3.73 with a V6/auto. Really woke up that little 4.3! It was my DD for 6 years, so for the first little while, the engine just seemed to buzzing a bit high on the highway. Made my exhaust note totally different at those speeds. 3" cat-back w/a resonator. Sounded better after I got used to it. But...mat it at 50mph, pull out to pass, & it was like WOW! Didn't know the old girl could do THAT!
It did kinda kill the mileage a fair bit, or maybe it was just me having too much fun!
The tires are 29.3" tall. 30lbs/corner heavier than stock. Even with such a large mass to turn over, the 6 still moved 'em pretty good. With a healthy V8 in front of those gears, it'll be a Rocket to Russia!

 

[454SSguy]

I'd say 3.73's are a good medium. That's what comes stock in the 90 SS's but the 91+ have 4.10 . Alot of other factors go into gear selection such as Tranny setup, tire size, cam and intake package. Alot of things gotta be taken into account for you to only do it once.

 

[bowtie-till-i-die]

ive got 20s at all corners and at present im running 50 series in the rear and 45 in the front. with taxes im gettin new tires they will be 40 serries all around( maybe 35)

 

[454SSguy]

You gotta give us more numbers than just the sidewall percentage

 

[sewlow]

BTTID, just to let you know, my '98 has 20x8.5 in the front, 20x10 rear. 255/45 front, 295/40 rears. The sidewalls are the same height, fr/rr.