3.73 or 4.10 rear end gears

[CJONE]

My 2011 GMC 2500 CCSB 4WD 6.0/6sp has 3.73 and I wish I had bought the 4.10 gears instead. Empty, I don't mind, but when towing my 7000lb travel trailer, I would like to have ~200 rpms more than I have. It would have a bit more power and not have to downshift with small hills. With the double overdrive (5th and 6th are both over drive), you have plenty of gears to drive 70-80 mph if you want and still have reasonable rpms. Also note, my 2011 truck came with 18" tires, my Dad's 2008 came with 16" tires. Mine are noticeable bigger, he has 3.73 and likes it.

My brother got a 2013 GMC 2500 CCSB 4WD 6.0/6sp with 4.10 (on my advice) and absolutely loves it. He lives near Denver and has no problem going as fast as he wants on the open roads and enjoys pulling his travel trailer (I think around 8000lbs).

With the smaller gas engines you definatly want lower gears for towing in the hills, both of my GM 6.0's did not care about gears as far as mileage. Both were less than stellar, I actually think the 4.10 one did better. CJ

 

[CJONE]

Geez, my little six cyl inline 359ci turbo H.O. Cummins six speed seems to work just fine with the Dana 80 3.73 rear end... even with a couple size larger tires than stock.... [ ] [ sorry, I couldn't resist ]

He hehe, I know what you are sayin!! The only time my 01 with a 7.3 in it seemed to work was with my tripple axle gooseneck and either my d3 Cat or the 580K backhoe on it. My buddie who is a GM nut even commented How good it towed the dozer, all I said to him was it was only 22,000lbs no problem for a real diesel!! You don't get any better than a Cummins either. Hey you wanna come help me put your old chains on?!! CJ

 

[hawkeye08]

With the smaller gas engines you definatly want lower gears for towing in the hills, both of my GM 6.0's did not care about gears as far as mileage. Both were less than stellar, I actually think the 4.10 one did better. CJ

I have heard that folks with my same truck and the 4.10 gears get better city mileage and the same highway...

 

[buickanddeere]

Difference between 3.73 and 4.10 is 91% . Not huge .

 

[JerryK]

He hehe, I know what you are sayin!! The only time my 01 with a 7.3 in it seemed to work was with my tripple axle gooseneck and either my d3 Cat or the 580K backhoe on it. My buddie who is a GM nut even commented How good it towed the dozer, all I said to him was it was only 22,000lbs no problem for a real diesel!! You don't get any better than a Cummins either. Hey you wanna come help me put your old chains on?!! CJ

If I had to put them chains on, I would need help... those 3/8" links add up to a ton...!!!!!! But, that's YOUR problem now...... Young kid like you can handle it .... Glad to find someone that wanted them.

 

[930ck]

Difference between 3.73 and 4.10 is 91% . Not huge .

That's why I am surprised at the difference in tow capacity

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have heard that folks with my same truck and the 4.10 gears get better city mileage and the same highway...

I have had 6 F150's, 5 of which were 5.4L and 3.73 gears, one 5.4L and 4.10 gears. The 4.10 truck got about the same mpgbno matter what I was doing, while the 3.73 trucks got much better on the highway versus city. All 6 of the trucks averaged 15.5mpg give or take from day one till I sold them.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

i notice the diff in 3.73 vs 4.10 when pulling say 10-13k and hitting a steepish uphill grade. my f250 6.0psd will downshift.. my f350 7.3psd won't.

there is a sand / rock mine in my area i sometimes egress and it's exit ramp is darn steep.. hitting that and you have to put a lil foot in depending on what's holding you back ...

 

[hawkeye08]

That's why I am surprised at the difference in tow capacity

The 3.73 put the engine at the wrong rpms with the 6.0/6sp on the new GMs with the 18" tires. Think about speed limits and towing speeds.

 

[930ck]

The 3.73 put the engine at the wrong rpms with the 6.0/6sp on the new GMs with the 18" tires. Think about speed limits and towing speeds.

The one I am looking at has 17" tires if that matters.