2014 Sierra 1500 Axlle Ratios 3.42 vs 4.73

jejeosborne · Jun 17, 2014

ruffdog said:
At slow speed pulling farm equipment, my V8 pulls better. It would be funny seeing you spool up them EB turbos pulling a hay wagon, then having to pick up the bales at the side of the road.

I guess I don't understand what you are saying by "pulls better". There is just a gas pedal and a brake pedal like your truck. No waiting for turbos to spool. Just hook and go at any pace you wish. I guess you are saying that you don't require the extra power for slowly pulling hay wagons.

ruffdog · Jun 17, 2014

The Ecoboost is still only a 3.5L v6 until you stick your foot into it. I don't race stop light to stop light to worry about boosting my ego. I want v8 power even when I am driving in a relaxed manner.

jejeosborne · Jun 17, 2014

ruffdog said:
The Ecoboost is still only a 3.5L v6 until you stick your foot into it. I don't race stop light to stop light to worry about boosting my ego. I want v8 power even when I am driving in a relaxed manner.

??????
You don't have to stick your foot into it any different than any other engine. It produces 0-420 lb ft of torque or 0-365 HP all dependant on the pressure you apply to the pedal on the right. No different than your truck other than the lower peak numbers. I would guess you might be referring to turbo lag which is a thing from the past.

Rest assured, it can still be driven in a relaxed manner and if you wish it could boost your ego as well. Actually I have found it much easier to drive in a relaxed manner because it is so reluctant to downshift which makes for a brisk change of pace on the higher revving V8's.

s219 · Jun 17, 2014

Yeah, the Eco-boost V6 is pretty easygoing if you drive it normally. In terms of power and throttle response, you'd be hard pressed to tell it's a medium-sized V6 turbo. It's not quite as buttery and deep feeling as a good V8, but the power and fuel efficiency are hard to argue with. Driven normally, the gas mileage is very good. I have no doubt that people who report bad gas mileage with the Eco-boost are driving it like a hot rod, which would hurt gas mileage on any engine.

jwstewar · Jun 18, 2014

Ford brought several vehicles to work last weeks for folks to test drive. I drove an Ecoboost 150 FX4. First time I had driven a newer Ford truck in awhile. Gotta say, once you got past the turbo lag - yes, there was one, it did scoot pretty good. I would have a hard time getting past that, I found it pretty annoying. I liked the instrument cluster, but didn't like the turn signal lever. I didn't like the fact it didn't "stick" on. Front seats felt cramped, I'm assuming because of the big center console. Didn't get a chance to really adjust the seat, but for me it was uncomfortable, were I take the time to adjust it, I'm sure I could get it better.

Still haven't seen anything that excites me much. My ol' '99 Silverado still has more comfortable seats than any other truck I've driven and when I hook onto our almost 10k camper that little half ton will pull it up and down the road at 60-65 MPH and get 9.6 MPG and almost 20 MPG empty.

jejeosborne · Jun 18, 2014

jwstewar said:
Ford brought several vehicles to work last weeks for folks to test drive. I drove an Ecoboost 150 FX4. First time I had driven a newer Ford truck in awhile. Gotta say, once you got past the turbo lag - yes, there was one, it did scoot pretty good. I would have a hard time getting past that, I found it pretty annoying.

During my normal everyday driving, I experience zero turbo lag. If I were to punch the gas from a dead stop, yes there is a one second delay in full power. If I am cruising down the road at 30 mph and ask for passing gear, no noticeable delay. That is the advantage of two smaller turbos vs one large turbo, much reduced lag. I don't understand what you find annoying. I find high revving downshift happy powertrains annoying but I am in the minority for enjoying a quiet cabin.

Panik · Jun 20, 2014

So to bring this thread back around to GMC's I had a quick question. The other day I was at the chevy dealership kinda torturing myself looking at stuff I can't afford, ya know because its fun and all

. While there I noticed that most of the trucks on the lot didn't have the fiber wheel protectors the Sierra's had on the GMC lot. Curiosity the better of me and I squatted down and kinda fiddled around looking at and touching the frame behind the rear wheel. To my surprise the frame coating came off on my fingers.

Keep in mind these were 2014's

So being curious I checked 3 more vehicles and on all of the trucks the coating either came off on my fingers or my fingernail. When I got back home I googled the whole thing and came to find out that there is technical service bulletin out about the issue. I guess my question is how big of an issue is this? All of my vehicles so far have had a frame coating that have outlasted my ownership.

I'm not trying to slam GM as I, until a couple of days ago, really wanted a Sierra. Seeing this made me wonder though how long that "wax" will actually last and how problematic it is. My first gut reaction is that it is an issue that I don't want to deal and to run away hard and fast. It's unfortunate because I really liked the Sierra 1500's. I'm assuming, perhaps mistakenly, that GM is using the same frame coating for both lines. Anyways, was just wondering folks thoughts on the whole thing.

Deere Dude · Jun 20, 2014

Some years ago I bought a new GMC Sierra with a 350 motor and 3:42 gears. That was not a good combination for my driving habits. Driving the speed limit of 55 MPH the thing was right at the verge of shifting. In order to not hunt back and forth I had to drive about 62 MPH which the roads weren't good for that. If I was empty on a freeway most of the time it would work, but at 55-58 MPH on back roads, it was terrible. That is my experience. With 3:73s I shouldn't have that.

ruffdog · Jun 20, 2014

I had a new 2000 2500 Chevy with the 5.7 and 4 speed auto. that would shift and hunt. My 2013 GMC 1500 with the 6 speed auto is light years ahead of the 2000 truck. No comparison what so ever.