3.42 vs 3.73

[SethSwitch]

I have a 2010 tahoe (6 speed) with the escalade 22" wheels (diameter 32.1) and am going to change out the rear gears. I am debating either getting the 3.42s or the 3.73 but can not decide. I do a fair amount of highway driving so I don't want to hurt mpgs too much. I have the 3.08s now and have to go 94 to turn 2000rpm. I have a cai, bb tune, and magnaflow straight through muffler and want more performance. I am also open to any performance upgrade suggestions that will cost less than $1000. Thanks for the help.

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

If you change gears in back you have to do the front also

 

[SethSwitch]

If you change gears in back you have to do the front also

I unfortunately have a 2wd

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

Ok nevermind then Lol. Mines 4x4 and I have 3.73 gear. I turn 2k rpms on freeway at 70 and average 20-21 and 18 in city and when I haul a car on open flat trailer it drops down to about 15.5-16 at 60mph but I also have the 4l60E. So you should do alright w/ either gear depending on what your doin w/ the truck

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Go with 3.73's!

I wish I had 2wd on this nali rather than AWD...

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Ok nevermind then Lol. Mines 4x4 and I have 3.73 gear. I turn 2k rpms on freeway at 70 and average 20-21 and 18 in city and when I haul a car on open flat trailer it drops down to about 15.5-16 at 60mph but I also have the 4l60E. So you should do alright w/ either gear depending on what your doin w/ the truck

4l60 is a .696 overdrive and 6l80e is a .667 OD. SO yeah the 6 speed is gonna turn at lower rpms on the highway.

 

[SethSwitch]

I am just leery about highway fuel economy suffering with 37.3s....

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I am just leery about highway fuel economy suffering with 37.3s....

If you go through with it and decide after the fact that you should have gone bigger you'll be kicking yourself.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

1st on the 3.73 w 6 speed is super low, and only needed for regular heavy towing; you will see not see a 0-60 improvement. That first on 6spd was made to match 3.08, but the 1-2 is too far imho. When you go up to 3.73, its almost too low unless you get some big tires. 3.42 is good with stock tires. You should put a truetrac in at same time since you gotta change everything out anyway...

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[TheAutumnWind]

1st on the 3.73 w 6 speed is super low, and only needed for regular heavy towing; you will see not see a 0-60 improvement. That first on 6spd was made to match 3.08, but the 1-2 is too far imho. When you go up to 3.73, its almost too low unless you get some big tires. 3.42 is good with stock tires. You should put a truetrac in at same time since you gotta change everything out anyway...

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Excellent point. I did not consider the super low 1st gear.