3.42's to 3.73's???
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From: Dayton PA
3.42's to 3.73's???
Hi yall, it has been a long time since I have been on the forum, life has just been too busy!!! But I digress.
I have found myself in an interesting situation. I am going to be replacing my open carrier to a limited slip so I can get around better in the snow around where I live here in western PA. My question is, while I have everything torn apart in the diff should I make the switch from 3.42 to 3.73 gears? I am thinking that the 3.73's would serve me better with the rolling hills here in PA, because right now I find my foot having to step on the gas a bit harder to get up the hills on my daily commute and the tranny dropping out of overdrive then dropping from 4th to 3rd Just to keep up. Anyways, I would like to hear yalls thoughts. Thanks.
I have found myself in an interesting situation. I am going to be replacing my open carrier to a limited slip so I can get around better in the snow around where I live here in western PA. My question is, while I have everything torn apart in the diff should I make the switch from 3.42 to 3.73 gears? I am thinking that the 3.73's would serve me better with the rolling hills here in PA, because right now I find my foot having to step on the gas a bit harder to get up the hills on my daily commute and the tranny dropping out of overdrive then dropping from 4th to 3rd Just to keep up. Anyways, I would like to hear yalls thoughts. Thanks.
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From: New York City USA
It is supposed to drop out of Overdrive when climbing steep hills. They recommend that if you are in that type of terrain that you shift into 3rd to prevent gear hunting on the incline. And if the steep is too grand then the transmission will continue to downshift to match the throttle demand. The transmission isnt the problem, its where you live.
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From: Dayton PA
Thats what I figured, thats why I am thinking about changing the diff gears to help out the tranny. If I do change the diff gears, will that mess with the computer? I know that I will need to change the vssb/drac unit, but will need to do anything else to the computer system?
Last edited by northey87; Jan 23, 2011 at 8:38 PM.
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From: New York City USA
Nah it wont mess with the computer. Disconnect the battery to erase all runtime programs and when you finish the computer will relearn all sequences.
Plus 1995 is an electronic case so when you run it it should refigure shift points and pretty much nothing should change. Higher top speed, and quicker acceleration time but lower fuel efficiency is all.
Plus 1995 is an electronic case so when you run it it should refigure shift points and pretty much nothing should change. Higher top speed, and quicker acceleration time but lower fuel efficiency is all.
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From: Dayton PA
Thanks, I'm not sure that I will lose mpg's by going with 3.73's, with the engine not having to work as hard. The best highway mileage I have ever seen with this truck is about 19.5mpg. My uncle has basically the same truck but its a '94 and has a 3 speed trans and he gets 20 consistantly on the highway with 3.73's. IDK?
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From: New York City USA
lower gear ratio=higher rpms to maintain same speed. higher rpms=lower fuel efficiency. The last dude is right, 3.73 is the middle of the road ratio for people who arent towing nor racing. With all the hill climbing, you ll move faster but not much more. Plus you re looking for positraction anyway and speed isnt your concern
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I asked my dealer about switching from 3.08 (big mistake!) to 3.42 rear end, and he mentioned that the power control module would have to be reprogrammed. Not a problem, because it could be done. Just thought you should know. I didn't make the change because It would have cost $3,650 for them to do it. Sounds like you can do the job yourself. You're lucky, I wish I could. I'll just live with this dog for awhile.