Rear End

[genecusano]

I'm sure this has been answered before. I have a 2011 half ton Silverado with camper package. 4.8 v8 323 gear, towing 5000lb TT. It does OK with no wind. I was heading south in TX into a head wind. It is a 4 speed automatic tran. I had to run in 2nd gear 50mph 3000rpm. My question is, can I change rear end gear and how would that affect everything else.

Thanks

[davel1971]

camper package and those specs? Doesn't sound right. I'm sure there is no way you were in 2nd gear running 50 at only 3000 rpm. 3rd gear maybe. A 4.8 with that gear ratio sure isn't going to be a powerhouse, especially in the wind.

[davel1971]

oh, can you change the gear ratio. Of course you can. It will make a difference for sure. You will still notice a difference in the wind. Even the strongest of tow vehicles suffer somewhat in the wind

[MillerTime]

Usually the ls trucks with the 4.8 don't have tranny coolers, and most don't have reciever hitches and trailer plugs, so if yours has all that your lucky.
Yes the gear change would help you greatly. A 3.73 or maybe a 4.10- if you tow alot. But if wanting factory gears this may set you back $1500+ per differential. The 3.23s you have just dont keep the truck up in the rpms to keep it in the power band.

I have a set of OE 4.10 gears in a tahoe diff. I could get rid of if your ever in the central ok area.

Best of luck!

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by genecusano

I'm sure this has been answered before. I have a 2011 half ton Silverado with camper package. 4.8 v8 323 gear, towing 5000lb TT. It does OK with no wind. I was heading south in TX into a head wind. It is a 4 speed automatic tran. I had to run in 2nd gear 50mph 3000rpm. My question is, can I change rear end gear and how would that affect everything else.

Thanks

For the few times you run into a head wind, I doubt it would be worth the time, money and effort. I have a 05 Silverado with a 5.3 and the 3.23 gears and a 5er and just use 3rd gear at 2400 rpm at 55-60mph. If it goes over 60, it will shift into 4th and drop to 1800 rpm. Slight hills will immediately cause it to downshift to 3rd, but maintain 55-60 which is plenty fast enough for me. Trailer tires are only good for 65 anyway. Going in the mountains, I limit it to 3500 rpm regardless of the speed.

[MillerTime]

Oh and lower gears may help your mpg while towing, but will hurt it when not.

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

[davel1971]

the negative effects while not towing due to a gear change will be minimal compared to the gain while towing. It all depends on how much you tow and how much this issue bothers you.

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by davel1971

the negative effects while not towing due to a gear change will be minimal compared to the gain while towing. It all depends on how much you tow and how much this issue bothers you.

Yep

MillerTime- Future Sabre Handler!!

[ironj]

texas winds cannot be bested....be it with new gears or a diesel...lol but really.... :-(

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[OldCoot]

IMO, not worth the time, effort or money for what you gain towing and loose not towing.

[genecusano]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

For the few times you run into a head wind, I doubt it would be worth the time, money and effort. I have a 05 Silverado with a 5.3 and the 3.23 gears and a 5er and just use 3rd gear at 2400 rpm at 55-60mph. If it goes over 60, it will shift into 4th and drop to 1800 rpm. Slight hills will immediately cause it to downshift to 3rd, but maintain 55-60 which is plenty fast enough for me. Trailer tires are only good for 65 anyway. Going in the mountains, I limit it to 3500 rpm regardless of the speed.

This is exactly what I do. I have pulled this TT 8000+miles. It won't stay in 4th gear so to keep it from jumping in and out I keep it in 3rd and my comfortable speed is same as yours. Going through the mountain's of TN & KY if I'm not careful it will shift down and jump to 4500rpms, so I manually pull it into #2 on the shift lever and hold it at 3000rpms. You don't think that 3500 is too high for that 285hp engine?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by genecusano

This is exactly what I do. I have pulled this TT 8000+miles. It won't stay in 4th gear so to keep it from jumping in and out I keep it in 3rd and my comfortable speed is same as yours. Going through the mountain's of TN & KY if I'm not careful it will shift down and jump to 4500rpms, so I manually pull it into #2 on the shift lever and hold it at 3000rpms. You don't think that 3500 is too high for that 285hp engine?

That's the max I will turn it, normally it is in the 3,000 range.