Chevy 2500 Gasser Axle Ratio?

[redlevel]

My '02 2500HD 4wd with 4.10 axles gets 11.5 to 12.5 mpg loaded, empty, 40mph to 60 mph. The 2wd 2500HD I owned prior to that got 14-15 mpg under most any circumstances. It had the 3.73. Your axle ratio will be determined by gvw. I wanted the 3.73 with my current truck, but the gvwr package I got (10500 lb) comes only with the 4.10

 

[KAB]

New body - 6.0 has Variable Valve Timing and a 6 speed auto, 3.73 (.62 Overdrive)
Old Body - 6.0 and 4 speed auto, 4.10 (.75 Overdrive)

New body should be better fuel economy

 

[dgl24087]

It will be the 6.0.

I talked to a guy who has the 2500 6.0 4WD with 4.10s. He is getting 12.5-13.0 in the city and 15 hwy. I think I can live with that considering the amount the Duramax/Allison would set me back.

That's in line with the mileage one of my customers gets, 2005 2500HD LT 4x4 with 6.0 gasser, 4 spd. AT.

 

[LeadPoison]

Here is what I can I am probably going to get:

2500 HD Crew Cab Short Bed 2WD LT1 Package (Black on Charcoal Cloth)
6.0 L with 4 speed auto
Locking Rear Differential
Polished Aluminum Wheels
4.10 Axle Ratio
Trailering Package

$32,325 Sticker

$30,044 Purchase Price (invoice; I have the print out from dealer)
($2,250) Rebate
($3,000) GM Credit Card Reward Dollars
($4000) Sale of my 1996 Dodge 1500
($4000) Cash Down

$16,794 + TT&L

 

[jayhaitch]

While I concur low rear end ratios are vital for heavy towing, for only 600-700 miles of major towing a year you'll be paying a large amount in extra fuel with the 4.10 to make a short duration of towing better. I would get the 3.73. If it struggled on steep hills, manually downshift. Besides, don't all GM trucks have a tow mode switch to adjust trannie shift points, ECM, etc?

My 2001 Expedition 5.4 with the 3.55 gears is bad enough getting 11-13 city and 15-16 highway, though our cold winters do have a significant effect on milage. Gas is not getting cheaper! Get the 3.73's.

 

[LeadPoison]

I found out yesterday the 2500 does not come in anything but 4.10s.

I think I am just going to go with it. My current 1996 Dodge has the 5.9 and 3:55s. It gets maybe 10-15% better gas mileage than the new Chevy would. Plus I can tow what I want.

 

[redlevel]

I found out yesterday the 2500 does not come in anything but 4.10s.

Unless things have changed since I bought mine, which is certainly possible, that is dependent on the gvwr of the vehicle. My 2wd 2500HD, with a gvwr of about 8000 lb, had a 3.73. I wanted that ratio on my 4wd I bought in 2002, but my dealer said with the 10,500 lb gvw, which is actually a heavier gvw than some 3500's, it was only available with 4.10's I can tell you from experience that the 3.73 will get a lot better mileage. With the limited amount of hauling you plan, I believe I would opt for a slightly lower payload and go with the 3.73 if that is indeed still an option. It is worth asking about. Is the vehicle you are looking at actually on the dealer's lot? If so, and it has 4.10's, he might just be trying to move what he has in stock rather than ordering something you actually want. Dealers and salespeople, as has been discussed on this board recently, are notorious about not being well informed about their product.

 

[LeadPoison]

No it's not the dealer. It's all that is listed on the spec sheets. 4.10s are definitely the only option. GVWR = 9200

 

[George2615]

I just did a build your own truck on the GM website for the truck package you listed and it is available with the 3.73 ratio on the site. Maybe some option package you asked the dealer for is only available with a 4.10 ratio. But according to the site a crew cab, 2 WD, with LT1, 6.0, 6 spd auto, either length box, locking diff, and tow pkg. GVWR 9200lb the 3.73 is standard. Double check with the dealer, maybe the build your own site is wrong but I doubt it.
The only thing I didn't check was that you listed a 4 spd trans instead of the std. 6 spd. Maybe the 4 spd requires the 4.10 ratio since it is lacking 2 gears.

 

[LeadPoison]

That is for the NEW body style. The older body style does not come in a six speed auto unless you get the Allison Tranny.

Also the brochure only lists a 4.10 in the 2007 Classic version.