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To gear, or to gear.... that is the question..

DieselWarrior

DieselWarrior

1/2 ton status
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My '82 NA6.2L has too high a gear, poor bugger got very little nuts. :haha:

Id like to have a bit more pep, and possibility to do some light towing without taxing the poor thing.

Im pretty sure Ive got 3.08, Id have to check (Its a civilian model with 700 trans). I did some checking with Randy's R&P on there calculator page.

Id like to stay with between 31 inch to 33 inch tall tires max.

Here in lies the question, in an attempt to get some pep, but yet try to keep some MPG, I am thinking 3.73.

I welcome feedback from those that have 373 and not. I think everyone can agree, that 308 is just too high. :popcorn:

I forgot to mention, this is my daily driver.

Thanks,
Andrew
 
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I have 3.73s and run a 33x12.50 tire while getting 18mpg on the freeway if that helps any, acceleration is decent too. OD on my 700r4 is fine with it, its the really long steep stuff that it hunts for gears
 
The Pumpkinator said:
I have 3.73s and run a 33x12.50 tire while getting 18mpg on the freeway if that helps any, acceleration is decent too. OD on my 700r4 is fine with it, its the really long steep stuff that it hunts for gears
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Thank you sir, EXACTLY the feedback I was looking for.

I hate to spend the big bux to have it geared, just to find out.. it sux! :doah:


Andrew
 
Don't know if this is an option for you, but it might be cheaper to swap in some axles that already have the 3:73s in them... They are pretty common and as long as you just unbolt and swap you could do it in a weekend easily...

Just a thought...:dunno:
 
dirtygoat said:
Don't know if this is an option for you, but it might be cheaper to swap in some axles that already have the 3:73s in them... They are pretty common and as long as you just unbolt and swap you could do it in a weekend easily...

Just a thought...:dunno:
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Good thinking, just check car part, for $500 I can get front and rear, not too bad. Thing is, I dont have $500 right now... but maybe later!!
 
turbo it, Turn the fuel up all the way,install some rockwells at least maybe 5 tons instead because 2.5 is a lil weak and then put stacks on it with the top off and a confederate flag flying in the back. :saweet: :haha:
 
I've got 3.73 gears and the 700R4 behind a 6.2L. Definitely makes for a more peppy 6.2L Blazer. I have 32" ish tires and it turns them well. Mileage is hard to say as I have an issue or three to fix. Getting gasser mileage right now.
Would like to go up to some 33's.

If you wanted to run stock 31's I'd say find a set of 3.42 geared axles. About half way between both and would give you a nice freeway cruise while not being 3.08 doggy off the line.
 
if you go and stay with 33 inch tires 3.73 would be perfect for you.if your 82 is still stock it should have a th400 am i correct.with 1:1 ratio as final gearing.any higher than that and you will be bringin the engine up into a higher range.stock tires are a 29-30 inches already.so bringin it up to 3.73 would be about perfectand still give you a lil better power with 33's on there.any bigger on the tires and you would need to regear again and maybe upgrade the axles.500 would not be bad as regearing one axle and paying someone to do it would cost that much and you can pick up both for the same price.when you get the cash i would go that route if you can still get them at that time.
 
DieselWarrior said:
Good thinking, just check car part, for $500 I can get front and rear, not too bad. Thing is, I dont have $500 right now... but maybe later!!
Click to expand...

Are you going to install them? They are much more complex than simply removing and replacing them, if you don't get them just right you'll ruin everything in the diff.

As mentioned, since you're going for a ratio that came stock in these trucks, find a set that someone took out. They usually go for free or a couple hundred at the most.
 
chulisohombre said:
if you go and stay with 33 inch tires 3.73 would be perfect for you.if your 82 is still stock it should have a th400 am i correct.with 1:1 ratio as final gearing.any higher than that and you will be bringin the engine up into a higher range.stock tires are a 29-30 inches already.so bringin it up to 3.73 would be about perfectand still give you a lil better power with 33's on there.any bigger on the tires and you would need to regear again and maybe upgrade the axles.500 would not be bad as regearing one axle and paying someone to do it would cost that much and you can pick up both for the same price.when you get the cash i would go that route if you can still get them at that time.
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K5's always had the 700R4 with the 6.2L. Only the 3/4 tons got the TH400 except the M1009 CUCV's.
Being a 1982 his is civilian, not a CUCV.
 
for some reason i though 82 had the th400.when did they start gettin 700 r4 tranny?sorry i misspoke then.go 3.73 and you will be happy if the diesel 6.2 is runnin good.if you dont ever plan on goin any bigger tire that should be a big difference from 3.08.
 
I know how you feel man I just went to cinder hills in Flasgstaff,AZ

mine has the turbo 400 and 3.08 gears between that and 8000ft elevation I was literally crawling up the hills at a snails pace with the pedal on the floor. I know the injection pump is worn out so hopefully a new one will help

I either need to regear the axles or swap to a sm465

Its pretty sad that my tow rig has a way better crawl ratio then this
 
You could buy a cheap Blazer or truck that already has 3:73s in it and swap from one to the other and resell the donor rig... Just a thought...:dunno:
 
Really, you're looking at $500-600 in parts and match that to have someone setup the gears.

Spend $1000+ to put those gears in your axles or find a set that already has 3.73's and put them under your for basically nothing. I think I got a combined $50 out of my D44/12 bolt that were 3.73 geared and it took months for anyone to come take them away.
 
Im thinking... maybe...... find a pickup similar year with 1 ton? Already 373? :bow:

It wont be till next year at the earliest, but I do like to do a good bit of research before I invest any time or money!

Thanks to all that contributed, great info and help!

Andrew
 
DieselWarrior said:
Im thinking... maybe...... find a pickup similar year with 1 ton? Already 373? :bow:

It wont be till next year at the earliest, but I do like to do a good bit of research before I invest any time or money!

Thanks to all that contributed, great info and help!

Andrew
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With 31's or 33's? Added weight and money for basically no gain.
 
38377k5 said:
With 31's or 33's? Added weight and money for basically no gain.
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Thank you for your feedback sir, I value it!

Yeah, this truck is primarily a DAILY DRIVER, so I dont really *need* 1 ton, but was thinking out loud to hear the pros/cons.

I just got done looking, Chevy Truck 30 Series = Dana 60 = $800 average just for the front axle.

If you guys think 31/32 inch tires and a 10bolt will do fine and dandy, Ill just swap axles and keep it all as easy as lard is greasy! :thumb:
 
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