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Old 09-28-2015, 11:42 AM   #1
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Changlng gears on tow vehicle

Currently have Chevrolet Suburban with 3.42 gears, but thinking of changing to 3.73 or 4.10 gears to pull our Salem, Cruise-lite. Well within load requirements now but, at times, need more tongue and power getting thru the Ozarks and Smokies. Anyone have thoughts, or firsthand experience on this modification? It's a 1994, 1500 with 350 motor. Less than 110,000 miles.
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Old 09-28-2015, 01:53 PM   #2
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1st of all, nice looking Burb !!

No experience with changing gear sets, but here are my thoughts:

If the Suburban is a 4x4 (I think most/all are ??) then the cost to change both gear sets could run into some big bucks.

Lower gears really help with starting from a stop, but maybe not as much when climbing. If a higher gear doesn't work, then a lower gear will. Say a 3:73 Burb might pull a hill in 3rd, your 3:42 might need 2nd...........big deal. The transmission can somewhat make up for the higher ratio gear set. Now if you constantly having to pull a hill in 1st gear with the torque converter unlocked (I think most vehicles don't have lock-up in 1st gear), that would be a problem.
The lower gear ratios would tend to "close up" the spacing between the tranny gears, making the engine hp and torque more efficient.

Taking off from a start on a hill with the 3:42s might put more of a strain on the torque converter vs. the lower gear sets.
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Old 09-28-2015, 02:16 PM   #3
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...If the Suburban is a 4x4 (I think most/all are ??) then the cost to change both gear sets could run into some big bucks...
I would venture to say "most are NOT 4 x 4. If I were OP, I would use the gear shift and forget the gear change.
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Old 09-28-2015, 03:42 PM   #4
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Change out the gears

It's 2-wheel drive, so I wouldn't need to do anything up front. I guess I get nervous when it downshifts to 2nd, the RPM's get close to red line and my speed drops into the 40's.

Thanks for the compliment on the burb. It's a very nice truck and, more importantly, paid for!
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Old 09-28-2015, 04:00 PM   #5
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It's 2-wheel drive, so I wouldn't need to do anything up front. I guess I get nervous when it downshifts to 2nd, the RPM's get close to red line and my speed drops into the 40's.
In that case, I think it will help. For a '94, you should have quite a choice for parts at auto-recyclers. Obviously, pick parts with the lowest mileage you can (if they know the vehicle it came from) and you may even be able to trade in your existing parts. See if you can get the speedometer gear from the transmission too - will keep your speedometer reading correctly.
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Old 09-28-2015, 04:24 PM   #6
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If you chose the new gear way...I would seek a 4WD shop to change mine...or a HP shop. Those guys do it all the time. Be prepared to use more than just gears. A lot of GM vehicles use a new carrier/spacer or something with that much change. I would want all new bearings...including axle. I would use synthetic lube also.


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Old 09-28-2015, 04:32 PM   #7
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Well seeing the age and mileage I would not consider the expense it will be to change the gear. I'd save my money and eventually trade out. Later RJD
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Old 09-28-2015, 07:38 PM   #8
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I had a 95 like yours but 4wd . It was a dog for towing. Had to keep the 350 up around 3000 rpms to tow my 31 foot prowler I had @ the time. So for the age of it I wouldn`t waste your money changing gears.
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Old 09-28-2015, 07:47 PM   #9
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X2 on the age/mileage. I applaud your desire to keep the old girl going, but doing anything this expensive to a 21 yr old vehicle is nuts, IMHO. You could go to all the trouble and 2 wks later the engine blows or the tranny goes out. I'd say "Save your bucks for a new TV." A newer TV should get better mileage and put out less pollution, too.
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Old 09-28-2015, 07:48 PM   #10
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4:10 gears will kill your daily fuel mileage. 3:73 gears have always been a good choice for towing and it is a common Chev gear set


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Old 09-28-2015, 07:49 PM   #11
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Changing gears would help, but a small block 350 is meant to rev. 3,000 rpm isn't bad. My blazer would hit 3500+ going up hills at 60. You would be looking around $500 for a gear change. Like said above, take it to a 4x4 shop or performance so they are set up right. I would also suggest going to synthetic gear oil in the axle.

If this is primarily a toe vehicle, save the money and buy a newer vehicle with more power and a 6 speed tranny. Might be partial, but you can't beat the torque and mpg of a diesel.
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Old 09-28-2015, 08:01 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the information and suggestions. Lots to think about. I've owned big blocks and diesels throughout the years. Each have their own pro's/con's, and we're at that age where we don't have a lot of debt and don't want to invest $50,000+ in a new vehicle. I guess we're a little "old fashioned" in that respect.
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Old 09-28-2015, 08:03 PM   #13
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When you say it revs nearly to red line... how many RPM are we talking? If you actually mean over 4000 - 4500 RPM, or higher, the engine is revving until it finds enough torque / HP for the speed you want to go; if that is the case I doubt a lower gear will help in a significant way. You need more torque; or a lighter trailer, or slow way down and save your money for your next truck... it doesn't have to be new... no body drives a new vehicle! JMO.
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Old 09-28-2015, 08:08 PM   #14
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It's 2-wheel drive, so I wouldn't need to do anything up front. I guess I get nervous when it downshifts to 2nd, the RPM's get close to red line and my speed drops into the 40's...
Slow down and enjoy life. Going 40mph vs 50mph for an hour only saves you 10-15minutes. I limit my old junker to 3500rpm, if those behind don't like it, they have 3 choices, pass, follow or stop.
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Old 09-28-2015, 08:45 PM   #15
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OldCoot and everyone, you all have excellent advise. I like the pass, follow or stop part! We've always lived in the fast lane and retirement has made us slow down a lot, so I'm glad I'm not alone in this. I just don't want to blow the engine with rev's over 3500 - sounds like a jet plane! It's in my genes to "worry". We'll keep it as is and consider options when it's time to upgrade. Thanks everyone.
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Old 09-28-2015, 08:55 PM   #16
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Few years ago i went from 3.42 to 3.73s in my 01 silvy. Its not as BIG a change numerical wise, but it made a huge difference all around.
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Old 09-29-2015, 07:51 AM   #17
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I guess I get nervous when it downshifts to 2nd, the RPM's get close to red line and my speed drops into the 40's.
If you go with the gear set change and if the Burb still needs to use 2nd gear, your speed will even be slower for any given RPM. But with the gear set change, your Burb may not need to downshift. Can you say "conundrum" ??
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Old 09-29-2015, 08:58 AM   #18
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If you go with the gear set change and if the Burb still needs to use 2nd gear, your speed will even be slower for any given RPM. But with the gear set change, your Burb may not need to downshift. Can you say "conundrum" ??
Yes, it is and the more I consider things, the more it becomes a conundrum. I've always wanted to "shake things up" and do something just a little different, so I my just have to try it. Might even beautify the motor bay a little. Can you say "headers, chrome valve covers, etc, etc"? DW says go for it if I want!
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Old 09-29-2015, 09:18 AM   #19
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You know with the right parts... you can upgrade that small block to 383 which is supposed to be a big boost to torque.

Headers look cool but the intake is where the power is.

Hot rodding can be a slippery slope
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Old 09-29-2015, 10:12 AM   #20
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Slow down and enjoy life. Going 40mph vs 50mph for an hour only saves you 10-15minutes. I limit my old junker to 3500rpm, if those behind don't like it, they have 3 choices, pass, follow or stop.
This is a key statement in most tow guides:
When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drive train upgrades.

If you have a 5.7L suburban with only 3.42 gears in it it probably does not have the right package for serious towing. That configuration was good for casual towing. I would seriously doubt it has all the HD equipment needed to be a good hauler.

If your truck is not properly equipped, you WILL have a problem towing it.You need to be able to maintain a speed that is adequate and considerate to other drivers.Most state highways are 55 to 60 mph. Unless there are extenuating circumstances like excessive traffic or weather for example, you need to be able to keep up. You do have several choices. Upgrade your current equipment, buy a new truck, buy a smaller trailer or find a seasonal site that you like and just park your trailer it. Driving too slow on the highway has been proven to be just as dangerous as going too fast.

Slow down and enjoy life is a good concept if you are retired and have no time constraints but you have to realize that you are not the only one on the road. People going to work. delivery trucks, people with deadlines to meet are also on the road and they have the right to travel as fast as legally allowed also. If you can't make the grade then get out of the way.
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