whats would be a happy medium gear ratio?

[Tempted]

I like my 3.42s, but I have a 5.7. I had 3.73s on 31" tires and the truck was running a little too high of an RPM at 75mph for my liking. When towing I obviously don't stay in OD, only Drive, so that determines a lot for me.

 

[bluex]

I think 3.73 is a good gear for a 4l60. I have it in both my trucks. I dont do alot of highway driving but even when I do at 70 I think my '98 is turning about 2k rpms with a 265/70/17. My old truck runs a little higher since it has a shorter tire, but I'm not as concerned with that since its a toy....

 

[DRAGGIN95]

I like 3.42's and 3.73's, and I own truck's with both and they are both good, with the same size tires, same engine and trans on each truck, the 3.42's will do 2K rpm's at 70, and the 3.73's will 2250 rpm's at 70.

 

[Hezsus]

I have 33" tires and my 3.73's are not enough, I know exactly what you mean that the truck feels like it bogs at hwy speeds because its running to low of rpms to have enough torque to make it efficient. I plan on upgrading to 4:56's in the future.. when $$ allow.

 

[JollyGreen]

4.56's??? Wholly *****. You don't think that's a bit high for 33's? I was thinking 4.10's would be good for anything under 35's. Am I wrong? I do probably 70% true highway driving so I personally wouldn't want to go above that.

 

[Hezsus]

4.56's??? Wholly *****. You don't think that's a bit high for 33's? I was thinking 4.10's would be good for anything under 35's. Am I wrong? I do probably 70% true highway driving so I personally wouldn't want to go above that.

I figure that the upgrade to 4:10s wouldnt be all that worth it since i am thinking of 35's in the future. but yes that'd be alot fo gear for 33's. it would make overdrive look like 3rd

 

[Aloicious]

on a stock tire size with a 4L60e I had 3.73's from the factory and it was a good all around setup...

but the setup of your vehicle has EVERYTHING to do with what gears would be best....for example, on my truck right now I still have stock tire size at 29" diameter, and run 4.88 gears...and its perfect...BUT I also have a T56 transmission which is geared much differently than the 4L60e which is what makes the 4.88's ideal in my situation.

 

[JollyGreen]

Oh, gotcha. Wasn't sure if you were planning on going to 35's eventually. Here's a chart that gives optimum ratios for tire sizes. You would be about right for 35's. Of course this is a general guide.

http://www.4wheelonline.com/superlift_tiresize.htm

 

[Tempted]

33s and 3.73s work fine on stock motors. 32s and 3.42s even work well. 33s and 4.56 is overkill. 35s and 4.56 is even high. 35s and 4.11s is good.

 

[Hezsus]

Also with my setup as soon as i added headers my low end torque moved up almost 500 rpm and my 1500rpm cruise speed is even less efficient. If i drop to third my revs go up but my mileage does not change much if i'm going up a hill or towing anything.

on a side note i realized that towing our 22' aluminum bumper trailer (2300lbs) empty i cant get over 80-90mph.. weird I though because it just sits at 3500rpm @ wot.. which is where i notice peak torque.. i never really need to go faster than that with a trialer though.