Gears? Best all around for 35's

[Hoopty]

I was wondering what the best all around gear ratio is for people running 35's with the 5.3l, currently have 3.73? I would like to get the best performance without killing my hiway driving(i do a lot). I am thinking 4.56 but not sure. If you have 35's and have regeared could you give me your opnions/facts?

Thanks

[dsponder]

id say 4.10's ask over in the offroad forum you will get more answers

[Matt_]

i had 4.10s with my 35s and hated it. acceleration sucked from a stop and didn't exist on the highway.

im running 4.88s with my 35s now and it feels powerful again! my gas mileage INCREASED a good 1.5-3.0 mpg and i do 70 miles/day on the highway cruising at 75mph.

with 3.73s stock, you'll be wasting your money on 4.10s. most will recommend 4.56s.... im happy i went with 4.88s-- truck is now almost as fast as it was stock (and i had 4.10s stock). with 4.56s and 35's you'll still be slower than a stock truck with 3.73s


oh but if you're offroading it heavily... now would be a good time for a 14 bolt SF

[Matt_]

i just noticed in your sig that you're running 35x12.5x17 BFG ATs... are they the 315/70/17's?

if so... they're a very small 35, not to mention light -- so 4.56s will probably suit them just fine. my experience is with 35" dirt grips which are much larger and heavier than those BFGs.

[91chevZ71]

I have 315/75/16's and 4.56 gears- love it.
It's a tad high on rpm at 70 mph, but only by 150-200.
Having a little extra gear helps out with accel on top of
everything else!!! Stock was 3.73- absolutlely gutless (as expected)
go with 4.56.

-my buddy has an '02 1500(5.3) with a 6' Procomp lift and 35x12.5x17's and he hasn't changed gears yet. (still 3.73)
Instead of gears, he spent his money on Pacesetter LT headers, K&N FIPK, and a Wester's 85 tune...his truck is FAST.
I don't get it
Mike

[Atomic]

4.56 definately. I rocked 3.73s with my 35s for about 5 months. I was so happy to get 4.56s, it actualy had some balls again.

[rowdyruss]

4.56 definately. I rocked 3.73s with my 35s for about 5 months. I was so happy to get 4.56s, it actualy had some balls again.

What he said...

[Hoopty]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now, any recommendations on what brand to go with? What am I looking at as far as cost of having it done?

[Hoopty]

i just noticed in your sig that you're running 35x12.5x17 BFG ATs... are they the 315/70/17's?

if so... they're a very small 35, not to mention light -- so 4.56s will probably suit them just fine. my experience is with 35" dirt grips which are much larger and heavier than those BFGs.

Yes they are 35/70/17's. I may move to a true 35 and more agressive when these are gone.

[rowdyruss]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now, any recommendations on what brand to go with? What am I looking at as far as cost of having it done?

I got mine done at 4 wheel parts, not sure what brand really? paid about 1900 for gears. shipping, labor, and the true trac.. could have got it done for less if i would have haggled the price a little bit

[91chevZ71]

gears+labor= 1200 bucks from 4wheelparts here in Denver

mine are Genuine Gear
they did a good install- no whine at any rpm, 2x4 or 4x4

[Atomic]

Had mine done front and rear for $1100 by a local shop. They used yukon gears and they are good.

[Matt_]

I'd recommend either yukon or precision gears. And while you're at it you should get rid of the G80 carrier and go with a truetrac-- you won't regret it!

and yea those 315s you have are pretty small. they're not much bigger than the 33" dirt grips I had (i compared them with one of my buddies trucks). If you're planning on eventually upgrading to a true sized 35 and a more aggressive tread you may want to give 4.88s a thought. Im actually planning on going back to an AT tire (the 325/65/18 toyos) that are shorter and weigh less than my current 35s... im looking forward to the added performance that I lost

either way you go- 4.56s, 4.88s w/ yukons or precision gears... you cant go wrong

[Pre-StrokerC150]

I don't want to thread jack, but I have the same problem with an additional variable to throw at you guys. I have a 99 with a 5.7, 35's and 3.73 gears. It's a dog. The additional variable I have is a whipple charger which is making me lean more towards the 4.56's, but I wanted some other people's input. I'm wondering if the 4.88's would be too much torque and not enough highway MPG?

[Atomic]

You supercharged a V8 and your worried about mileage?

Id would do 4.56 with that...4.88s and you may not be able to hook up...ever...

[Pre-StrokerC150]

Not too worried; I knew what I was getting myself into. I just know that I have to put my foot down a ways just to get the thing moving, so I at least know I can improve on that.

[Atomic]

Since you do have a blower, you could get away with a higher (numerical lower) gear because of the extra torque down low.

[Hoopty]

One question. Is the True Trac ok with the 10 bolt? I don't do any off roading.