3.42 with 35s?

[BADASSMACHINIST]

im buying a 02 tahoe with 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires. its still has the stock 3.42 rear end and the acceleration is less than impressive, what ratio would be recommended? was thinking about a 4.56

 

[Marky Dissod]

My '02 Tahoe Z71 has 3.73 on 32" tall tires. I could live with 4.10 - if only I could afford both axles ...
On 35" tall tires, 4.30 (if that's even available?), or 4.56.

 

[steiny93]

You'll want todo the math and get back to what ever factory ratio you are happy with based on your usage.
IE, if you like the drivability (with your engine / trans combo) of a 3.73 on 33's then math that final ratio and do the same for 35's.

4.56 on 35's is a lot of gear on the road, maybe not enough off-road with 300hp.
The other option is to add power; reasonable boost for example.

 

[Trey Hardy]

im buying a 02 tahoe with 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires. its still has the stock 3.42 rear end and the acceleration is less than impressive, what ratio would be recommended? was thinking about a 4.56

4.56 would rip with 35s
4.10 would be more fuel efficient if you daily drive it but still be a big step up from the 3.42

 

[Marky Dissod]

You'll want to do the math and get back to whatever factory ratio you are happy with based on your usage.
IE, if you like the drivability (with your engine / trans combo) of 3.73 on 33's then math that final ratio and do the same for 35's.

OP is unhappy with 3.42 & 35" tall tires. He'd certainly be happIER with 4.10 (OE available for Suburbans).
4.10 (or 4.30?) would be nice for long highway drives. (Is 4.30 available? Genuinely asking, don't know.)

4.56 might be too much RpM for long highway drives, but city MpG and drivability will improve considerably.
If it tows ANYTHING, 4.56.

 

[DirtDigler]

I have 4.56 . Yes, long drives empties the tank quicker than desirable but the pep is outstanding! Offroad I see no negatives. Plenty of torque .

 

[Mudsport96]

4.56s. You will only pick up an extra 300 rpm at 65. The mpg loss at that point is more likely from rolling resistance/weight of the 35s and the aerodynamic drag of the extra height required to clear the 35s.

 

[Alex_M]

4.30s are available. That would be my choice if doing a lot of highway driving. If only some highway driving, then 4.56 would be the way to go. I liked 4.56s a lot with the 35s on my NNBS.

Aero drag still has less effect than RPM. I saw a 2 mpg difference highway driving between 3.73s and 4.56s with 35s, in the 3.73s favor.

 

[Mudsport96]

Another thing to consider... where are you located?
I think this i your first post and no location data. If you live in flatter areas you could get away with 4.10s etc. But if you live in the foothills or mountains you may need even deeper gears than we would usually suggest.

 

[Marky Dissod]

4.30 & 4.56 should be far more popular than they are.
So far as aero is concerned, I want to try an inconspicuous underbelly, partial grille blocking (except for the summer!), and AirTabs or EcoFins to try to improve highway MpG & crosswind stability.