Chevy Gear Ratio Help

[beyondhelpin]

Looking at buying a new Z71 probally tomorrow. Cant really get a clear answer on miliage differences between the 342 and the 410 gears. Tested the 342 gears this morning pulling the boat and it was less than stellar performance. OK but needs more grunt in the 20 mph to 50 mph range. Looking at the 5.3 HO motor.
Does anybody know the difference in gas miliage between the two?
Also does anyone got any info on the 5.3 vortec HO. It has about 310 HP. Has an aluminum block and aluminum heads. Any worrys about the aluminum heads doing all the pulling?

[Chase]

You can bet someone will say "buy a Diesel"

[NOTALENT]

Buy A Diesel!!! :D

[beyondhelpin]

I knew help was just around the corner! :D

[Jordy]

Any worrys about the aluminum heads doing all the pulling?
I don't think they can do it all by themselves, they're going to need the rest of the engine to really pull. :D :D
p.s. buy a diesel. ;)

[pixilatedpussy]

Diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :d

[beyondhelpin]

I knew I came to right place for info. 5 minutes into the thread and helpful advice is already flowing. Must just be the generous nature of you left coast guys!

[Beer-30]

I pulled Beer-30 home with my wife's '04 Yukon, 295 HP, with 3.73 gears. It was stellar performance in my eyes. I wasn't sure if we would come back with a boat, so we took hers instead of the Dually. Ended up buying it and came back with it. I took it easy on it, but it is still within the "book" specs for towing. It will probably never pull it again, but I must say I was impressed. And I have pulled trailers since I was very young.
If you are staying gas, and also 1/2 ton, go 3.73.
By the way, you are not buying the truck for mileage. You are buying it to pull your boat. If you need mileage, you would be looking at a Honda civic. Point is, don't worry about the mileage. You will put gas in it anyway, no matter what. Get what will do what you want it to do. Been there, done that.

[sigepmock]

I had a 1500 Z71 4x with the 5.3 and 4.10's. I put 285/75R16 BFG AT's on the stock rims and it towed great and did great cruising at 75-80 mph. 3.73 if you're keeping stock size tires, 4.10's if you go a bigger to keep to power.
The 5.3 is a great motor, tons of pwer and decent milage. Not like the 6.0L dog.
Chris

[Beer-30]

Oh yeah, I was thinking 2wd. I see he is looking at Z71. Go with the 4.10s.

[beyondhelpin]

Thanks guys. Buying the one with the 410 gears in the morning. I will have a set of 285's on it before it has 50 miles on it. I think I went the right direction.
Speaking of the 373 gears they are not avaliable! Just the 342 or the 410. Go figure.

[Parker]

Sigepmock is LYING :D .....5.3 motor sucks at pulling.......He put a supercharger on the 6.0 to pull his boat, and still traded it in for the DIESEL!!!!!!!I'm picking up a diesel before my next trip. Pulling my boat with the 5.3 with 3.73 I only get 9 miles per gallon, and my boat only weighs 2500lbs. DIESEL,DIESEL,DIESEL.
Call Jay 714-552-0300 and buy a diesel.
Parker

[Kilrtoy]

DIESEL can pull it,
BUT
i dont believe all the hype about mileage... I think the 05's suck on mileage....

[meaniam]

You can bet someone will say "buy a Diesel"
BUY A DIESEL IF YOU WANT POWER AND MILAGE
i would be interested in your takeoffs after you get new rims

[Kilrtoy]

and my FORD V-10 got better mileage than my diesel.....and pulled awesome...

[beyondhelpin]

I have a 5.3 with 373 gears now and it pulls good pulling 6500#s boat and trailer just fine even with the 285 tires. I am also on a lot flatter land than you guys who pull from the coast to Havasu. When I lived in SD I had a 454 to pull to Havasu.
Miliage sucked pulling at 8 to 10 mpg, but I also got 16 to 17 mpg in mixed driving. For me the diesel is just not worth the extra scratch.

[sigepmock]

Alright ....Alright I did just buy the Diesel and I am getting 15 mph and it's not even broken in :D :D I did like the 5.3 I had in my 1/2 ton 4x Z71 but there's a huge price difference between the 5.3 and the Diesel. Buy as big as you can possibly afford!!!!
Chris
PS I think Kilr got a lemon!!! :D :D

[MagicMtnDan]

I don't believe the 5.3L is good for towing much and if you must get it I'd go big on the gears (4's not 3's).
Kilr, if the Ford V-10 towed great then you'd love the 8.1L Chevy motor it'll outpull Ford's gasser.
If you really need to tow get the diesel (Duramax and Allison tranny) and you can run the 3.73 gears no problem with all that torque. Best bet is to keep a long time - it's expensive to buy (and buy it now while the employee discount program is on).
Good luck!

[djunkie]

DIESEL can pull it,
BUT
i dont believe all the hype about mileage... I think the 05's suck on mileage....
I guess mine is an exception then. :D

[piper]

Besides suggesting you buy a diesel, you can go on www.4wheelparts.com , They have a chart with gears and tire sizes there. Look under the tire section. This will give yo an idea of the best combo for the best gas mileage.

[LaveyJet]

I have a 04 1500 crew cab 4 x 4 with the 5.3 motor and 3.73 gears, stock wheels and tires. It pulls my 21’ Lavey (ok Jason - 22’ 8” :D ) just fine. It’ll drop below 50mph on long steep hills, but does fine on the flats

[life's a river]

and my FORD V-10 got better mileage than my diesel.....and pulled awesome...
Something must be wrong with your Diesel. I had an 01 F350 4x4 lifted with 35's and I could not get over 310 miles to the tank. My 03 Duramax 550+. (Highway)
LAR

[beyondhelpin]

Besides suggesting you buy a diesel, you can go on www.4wheelparts.com , They have a chart with gears and tire sizes there. Look under the tire section. This will give yo an idea of the best combo for the best gas mileage.
Hey I could not find that chart. Any more specific directions. Thanks!

[Kilrtoy]

i spoke with two others who are having the same results as i and they also have 05 chebys........
Now One of them had an 03 and said he got 17, 18......

[voodoomedman]

Bigger the better for pulling. I got like a 4.7 something when I put the positraction on with my 35" tires and it pulls my boat like there is now tomorrow.

[piper]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=TIR&prodline=1852&catName=TIRES&man=PCTC#
Here is the link. When you get to the page, look below the picture of the tire. Click on the Gear ratio chart. You'll have the info there.

[77charger]

go with 4.10s if you can.They are way better for pullin.I have the 6.0 in my hd and for what i tow it works great.I get 12 mpg towing 21 ft boat to river and i do drive at least 70-75

[77charger]

Also forgot to add my last trip to glamis towing 21ft toyhauler i had major headwinds i ended up towing in 3rd gear about 55 (all it could maintain with out florring it)The mpg went way south westmoreland to ontario riverside i was on empty.I normally get about 9 towing the hauler

[beyondhelpin]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=TIR&prodline=1852&catName=TIRES&man=PCTC#
Here is the link. When you get to the page, look below the picture of the tire. Click on the Gear ratio chart. You'll have the info there.
Thanks . I could not find the damn thing!

[beyondhelpin]

go with 4.10s if you can.They are way better for pullin.I have the 6.0 in my hd and for what i tow it works great.I get 12 mpg towing 21 ft boat to river and i do drive at least 70-75
Ordered one this morning with the 4:10. Think I did the right thing.