opinion on gearing
 

I Have an 96 Silverado that has a 350 with a 700r4 that I'm looking at lifting soon. It currently has 3.08 gears and though I don't know much about gearing I feel as though it's going to be even more gutless. I'm thinking about putting 4.56 gears in it. What do you folks think?

Re: opinion on gearing
 

Sorry ment I an 86 not 96

Re: opinion on gearing
 

It depends on the usage of the truck.

Personally I wouldn't use 4:56 gears unless it was strictly a toy or mudder or stump puller or farm truck...
You get the drift.

You do however have an advantage with having overdrive.

3.08 is pretty high, but 4.56 is pretty low.

If you drive it regularly try some 3.73 or at most some 4.10

Re: opinion on gearing
 

What diameter are the tires going to be? What type of driving? What RPM do you want to run at?

Re: opinion on gearing
 

Yep, tire diameter will play a big role. 4.10's would be a good choice for around a 33" tire

Re: opinion on gearing
 

I'm wanting to go with 35/12.50/15

Re: opinion on gearing
 

well maybe 4.56 isn't out of the question then.

HELL YOUR GAS MILEAGE IS ALREADY SCREWED!! HAHAHAHA

Re: opinion on gearing
 

thats the combo i went with on my 84 with 35's...5.3 with 4l60e tranny....dont want that overdrive kicking in and out all the time

Re: opinion on gearing
 

Yeah thats a common problem with the 60e's. My 97 will do it on the highway. When crusin at highway speed all you have to do is let up off the gas and hit it again and it shifts, well it at least unlocks the converter and locks up again.

Re: opinion on gearing
 

yup, thats one big reason went with the 4.56's...plus its more fun haha

Re: opinion on gearing
 

With 35s a 4.56 gear will be close to factory ratio.If you want gas mileage go 4.11 if you want flat out power 4.88 or 5.13 gear.

Re: opinion on gearing
 

My 85 was a factory 700R4 truck with 3:08's in the back. Idled down the freeway! I swaped 'em out to 3:73's and run 31" tires and still run the 700 and am very happy with them. I made sure to get 3:73's when I bought my 05 crew cab as well. Great all around gear and with the low first gear of the 700 (3:06 to 1), you wont have a problem getting them turning. With 33" tires though, 4:10's wouldn't be a bad choice either but I don't think you need to go with 4:56's

Re: opinion on gearing
 

agree'd, but in my case i also went from 2.73's with th350 tranny, stock engine (that was tired) to a 5.3 4l60 combo, with 4.56's, so i should notice a good amount of improvement

Re: opinion on gearing
 

I'm running 3.73's on 35's behind a strong carb'd 454 and a th400 and it hauls a$$. This being said I have no idea what sort of mileage I'm getting (I'm afraid to check, I have a heavy foot). I cruise between 2500 and 3 grand...


If your not running a torque monster and you have OD and want 35's I would be inclined to go for the 4.10's. it's a combo a few of my buddies have and it works for them.

Re: opinion on gearing
 

Off topic, but that's by design. When you let off you're coasting so the converter is unlocked. When the engine speeds up and matches the transmission speed it locks again. Its in the interest of efficiency, you don't want the drag from the motor when coasting and you don't want unused torque multiplication when cruising.

On topic, figure out what RPM you're motor cruises nicely. Usually a general purpose driver will do well between 2000-2400 for a stock to modest motor at 70mph but figure out what your own sweet spot is.. Then do the math for your tire size and you'll know what gears it takes to achieve that.

Re: opinion on gearing
 

I would not plan on too much improvement. The weight of the truck, the gearing being so high and an overdrive will put that 5.3 in an RPM operating area that may too low for the power curve and the engine to operate properly.

Re: opinion on gearing
 

I think there will be a big improvement, power being the first improvement, toque the next, then better gears...we will see real soon tho, I did say 2.73's...not 3.73's