splashandburn

I am not sure what to do here and am looking for some advice from the board. I am trying to make a deal on a 2004 Suburban with the 8.1 but am not sure if I should go with the 4:10 or 3:73. I am towing a 358 Sonic and just weighed the whole package at 11,500 pounds. This vehicle will be an all around vehicle that will probably only tow close to 1,000 miles a year. The balance will be my wife running around with the kids, etc. I've heard that the 4:10 is a fuel pig but if that's what I really need then so be it. Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

BadDog

Buy an extra set of Rims and Tires of a smaller or larger size to get the towing RPM you want. Go with the 4.10 and run slightly oversize tires for daily use. Go with the 3.73 and run smaller tires for towing. Could be a pain to change wheels but with two floor jacks, one kid and an electric impact you can do it in no time. Redneck engineering at its finest!

Smitty

iTrader: (1)

The 3.73 is more than enough gear for that motor.

Bob280Silencer

On your 1000 tow,any hills or mountains?You can always drop out of overdrive and tow but you can't shift up.I'd go with the 3.73.That's what my Ford F-250 has.My .02 BOB

splashandburn

I do tow up a few hills but nothing too bad. Why do they rate the 4:10 at 12,000 pounds and the 3:73 at only 10,200? Aren't we dealing with the same frame and brakes and all? The only dif is the gearing right? My other concern is what if I have a problem or get stopped - am I legal towing with the 3:73?

jdnca1

I have an 01' 2500 Burb w 4.10's. Tow around 9,000#. It tows great and I wish I had a 3.73. The 8100 INHALES fuel w/4.10's. 12MPG hwy, 10MPG town and about 7 MPH towing. Oh yeah, I have the Hypertech kit, K&N filter and Granatelli MAF. No difference in milage, but it definately picks up the power and TQ.

My 97 454 Burb w 3.73's got almost 14 hwy, 12 town and about 9 towing...6,000 pounds.

IMO if you only plan to tow 1,000 miles yr or so, go with the 3.73's. Your wife will appreciate the savings in gas.

I tow a LOT and am planning trading on a crew cab Duramax.

Cops could care less what gear you run and most wouldn't know what you were talking about.

splashandburn

What about insurance companies in the event of an accident??

splashandburn

Is there anyne on board that is towing something similiar in weight with either of these two combinations? I'm trying to close this deal tonight and any feedback woud really be appreciated !!

jdnca1

I think the rating is mostly for warrenty, etc and GM won't know what you've towed. There is more "load" on the motor and tranny with a 3.73 vs 4.10. It has nothing to do with the weight of the truck....it weighs the same regardless of axle ratio and they have the same brakes, etc. That's why its only like $50.00 to change ratio's.

Rippem

fuel? the effect of the 2 ratios on economy is negligable w/the 8.1. I tow a 353 Formila on an Eagle w/ an 8.1/Allison HD ext cab with 3.73's and a 265 tire and it is enough, no problem. I'm frankly amazed w/ the 496...it is a torque monster for a gasser. I ave 11 mpg combined driving empty and about 8 towing. I have a Wester's 93 tune PCM with most all of the TM removed...what a blast to drive empty! You don't buy the big gasser for economy...put mpg's right outta your head.