RAL

I'm confused. I just purchased a 2014 Silverado Crew Cab, 5.3 EcoTech, Z71 and the window sticker lists 2 gear ratios. On the left side it's showing 3.42 right under standard options and Z71 package and further on the right side of the window sticker it's listing 3.08 under options/pricing. Anyone know which one it might be? I'm hoping for the 3.42.

country_09

Check the glovebox rpo codes. Most that I've seen come with a 3.08 gear so far. If yours reads GU6 I believe that's a 3.42 gear.

RAL

Thank you. I ended up calling the dealer and he told me the same thing. Looks like I have the 3.08 but I only tow my travel trailer about 4 times per year so I should be okay. I live in Texas so there's no hills and I never tow it more than 100 miles. And with the weight of the trailer only being 5,500 completely loaded, I'm thinking I'll be okay. I don't understand why Chevy put such small gears in the trucks with a tow package...

country_09

I live in Texas too, if you plan on puttin any kind of bigger tires on it you'll hate life. At least you got the 5.3. I've seen nothin but v6s on the lot around here. They're tryin to meet the EPA mpg ratings they need, so puttin tall gears helps gain mpg.

RAL

That's a good point. I had the old 5.3 Vortec, 3.42 gears and I could never get over about 17 - 18 MPG. But in this new Ecotech 5.3, I'm already averaging right at 20 MPG and this has 40 more HP and an extra 30 or so LBS of torque than the old Vortec 5.3. Not to mention, it's 4x4. My old truck was just 2 wheel drive.

JK23112

I have a 2004 Silverado with the 5.3L V8. It has the 3.73:1 rear gears and I get 15 miles per gallon around town and 18.5 miles per gallon on the highway.

Glad to know that the new ones get better mileage - probably because of the "cylinder deactivation" feature. The new trucks can also run on E85, but I would not recommend doing so because your miles per gallon will drop quite a bit.

The 2014 Silverado is a beautiful truck and GM seems to have done their homework --- but it is maddening that they are building most of them in Mexico. That is aggravating, to say the least, especially after getting a bailout from the taxpayers.

Mdavis501

I'm wondering if the 3.42 gears won't also make the truck (especially with 20 inch wheels) feel a bit more peppy around town. I have seen 2 z71s in the Sacramento area with 3.42 rear ratios.

MinnesotaChev

So, I'm about to order A 2014 and can choose RA ratio. I tow a 4400 lb trailer a few times a year and cannot see a reason not to order 3.08's. My rational is that if the truck wants to downshift because of the high gears, I'll just run it in 5th gear under load and leave it in 6th during regular use? Anyone know the transmission gear ratios or done this???

country_09

It'll run in 5th gear a lot while hauling a trailer and probably get 10 mpg pullin it. But that's pretty much every 1500. I'd opt for 3.23 gears or 3.42s if you could.