Changing the gears in my suburban
I have decided to change the gears in my suburban (2008 5.3L 4sp auto), but not sure how much of a change to make. I currently have 3.73 gears, and was thinking 4.30 because 4.10 doesn't change much,...
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2001 6.0L will be no different, well little different. 4th gear ratio is taller for the HD trans.
This is a good fundamental point. Is that where you want to tow? The engine will be fine. Might be a little louder than your current 2600rpm. That is right in line with what I tow at, between my 4th and 5th gears, 2300-3100rpm. Sometimes my wife, ahem, comments if it's in 4th/3000-3300rpm for a while.
4.56 will still downshift on some hills. Just fewer of them, or later. It will offer a good bump in acceleration, but unlikely let you tow in OD. The 5.3L
If you really want to change and down't drive at 80mph unloaded often, then go 4.56. Don't forget a tuner to adjust the trans shift points. If you have 2WD, then it's pretty cheap, as little as $500.
Have you considered something with a 6-spd trans? Your Suburban is one year shy of GM changing to 6-spd. The 2007+ Yukon Denali has it (with the much more powerful 6.2L). The 2008+ 3/4 tons, and 2009+ half tons got 6-spds which does make a big difference to when I towed with a similar geared 4-spd.
4.30 will put you right at 3000 rpm.
4.56 you are looking at 3180 rpm.
Is that where you want to be?
This is a good fundamental point. Is that where you want to tow? The engine will be fine. Might be a little louder than your current 2600rpm. That is right in line with what I tow at, between my 4th and 5th gears, 2300-3100rpm. Sometimes my wife, ahem, comments if it's in 4th/3000-3300rpm for a while.
4.56 will still downshift on some hills. Just fewer of them, or later. It will offer a good bump in acceleration, but unlikely let you tow in OD. The 5.3L
If you really want to change and down't drive at 80mph unloaded often, then go 4.56. Don't forget a tuner to adjust the trans shift points. If you have 2WD, then it's pretty cheap, as little as $500.
Have you considered something with a 6-spd trans? Your Suburban is one year shy of GM changing to 6-spd. The 2007+ Yukon Denali has it (with the much more powerful 6.2L). The 2008+ 3/4 tons, and 2009+ half tons got 6-spds which does make a big difference to when I towed with a similar geared 4-spd.
