Gearing suggestions??

[LiebherrDiesel8]

At the present time im driving a 98 2wd C1500 with a 4.3l v-6. As of right now everything is bone stock but i am desperatly wanting to improve this truck. i am looking at intake and exhaust and also a 7 inch fabtech longtravel suspension lift running 33x12.50x15's but im still debating what gearing to use so my little V-6 will turn those 33's without losing too much power. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Joseph K]

4:10 or 4:56... a little more info. would help. Like how much offroading, towing, etc. you do.

[LiebherrDiesel8]

Right now very mild off roading and towing my concern right now is not killing my engine with the lift i want to retain as much of the power as possible

[mikeyman]

4.10 with 33's i would suggest. that's what i have and it is just fine and close or better than a stock setup, 4.56's might be alittle much. although I think you could fit 35's though with that lift and some trimming.

[Joseph K]

There's also some company's that manufacture gears in a 4:30 ratio. You'd probably be fine with 4:10's though. What gearing is it running now? 3:42?

[LiebherrDiesel8]

yea ive got the stock gearing in the truck which i believe is a 3:42

[06SilverSilvy]

only 33's with 7" lift?


For gears, are you wanting more power or better mileage or a combo of both.

I would say get some 315's with that 7" kit and 4.56's if you want a beast. 33's and 4.10's if you want a reasonable gas mileage setup.

[LiebherrDiesel8]

Really i want a combo of both economy and power i chose the 33's to avoid the possibility of fender rubright now my biggest concern is not getting 1-2 mpg with the lift seeing how i only have a stock v-6 for now however i am working on engine mods so in the future im hoping to go more power than economy

[Joseph K]

Go with 4:10/4:11 if you're SURE 33's are as big as you are going to go. I'm going to get mine regeared to that sometime around the beginning of summer...