New to gearing whats my options?

[c bausch]

Hey guy . I want to see what my options were for gearing upgrades at my moment i have stock gear's front and back . Im lifted with 33's but do light roading with the truck and i am un sure on the breaking point. My truck struggles just a little . I want to get some info on options on what i can do for the near future

[navigator]

you would need to tell us what your "stock" gearing is.
For most it is 3.42 but 3.73 and 4.10 are also options.

For 33s I think most would agree that 3.42 are "OK" for wheeling. The larger issue is when you get out on highway speeds that because of TC lockup they can cause your tranny to overheat.

If you have to hire someone to do your gears (most don't have the tools or skills) it is likely cheaper to find used differentials in the desired gearing and swap them in. In that scenario 3.73 would be fine but 4.10 would be the better choice.
If you are going to swap rears, you might as well get one from a V8 or an Ext. It will be an 8.6 rear end which is stronger and has more aftermarket support than the stock 8.0 found in the I6 SWB models.

[Cable810]

That helped me out Chris!! Thanks!! One question. Could we swap our 8.0 to the 8.6?

[navigator]

I would add that if you are going over 33, most of the hardcore guys would recommend going with 4.56 gears. You can't find those in stock swap parts, you would have to buy the gears and get someone to set them up for you.

[The Roadie]

If you are going to swap rears, you might as well get one from a V8 or an Ext. It will be an 8.6 rear end which is stronger and has more aftermarket support than the stock 8.0 found in the I6 SWB models.

That helped me out Chris!! Thanks!! One question. Could we swap our 8.0 to the 8.6?

Chris posted the answer.

Edit: I see the problem .....too many Chris's around here.

[c bausch]

I drive about 12 miles a day to and from work on the highway so im thinking im going to go with the next size up . Whats the codes in the glove box ? G..?

[Gordinho80]

RPO Codes for gear ratios:

GU6 = 3.42
GT4 = 3.73
GT5 = 4.10

[c bausch]

I also believe i have 3.42 's in my truck

Just looked and confirmed

Ok so I'm prob not going to switch rears just gear's ...? If i have to from to and from work everyday do you think 3.73's would be a safe bet?

[fishsticks]

Do it and do it once: 4.10s or 4.56s. You'll be doing it again later otherwise. Gear setups are two things: Time consuming and costly (very costly if you don't do it yourself).

[HARDTRAILZ]

3.73 is really not enough for 33s. As fish said...go to the 4.+ ratio.

[Gordinho80]

Like the others said... do it once. I'm running 33s, and when I regear, I'm going at least 4.10s. I already have the 8.6 rear.

[HARDTRAILZ]

And dont forget the 9.5 SS rear w stock 4.10s. But only limited slip.

[c bausch]

So can i put 4.10's in my dif ? Or do i "NEED" a swap to a bigger rear?

[Gordinho80]

Find a rear diff from an EXT or V8 with the 4.10s already... then all you'd have to regear is the front.

The 8.6" rear gives you more options for lockers over the 8.0" rear.

[c bausch]

I have no prob going to 4.10's but wouldn't 4.56's be screaming on the highway?

[HARDTRAILZ]

I have no prob going to 4.10's but wouldn't 4.56's be screaming on the highway?

Not with our overdrive and the large tires.

[06MidnightBlue]

Yukon makes gears for the 8.0. I'm saving up a bit to put 4.10's in my rig.

[c bausch]

Ok so i need to find a rear from a ext with 4.10's or 4.56's? What year would have them?

[Cable810]

We swap the rear and have to do the front as well for the gears? Thats what I'm understandin.

[HARDTRAILZ]

4.10 is best stock gearing available. 4.56 is solely aftermarket