Due to a discussion in another thread, I was curious what the most popular factory gear ratio people have. It has been my experience, that the later model V Series (1987-1991) generally have better factory gear ratios (3.42's or 3.73's).
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
V Series axle ratio popularity.
- Thread starter 82355
- Start date
In the poll, please only vote with what came FACTORY in your truck/Blazer/Jimmy/Suburban. Not what you have swapped in place. I am also only interested in half ton vehicles in this poll, and preferably just vehicles that you own, have owned.
Martin
Martin
I don't know that I have EVER seen a 2.73 ratio in one of these, but according to the GM Heritage site, they may have been available.
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html
Martin
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html
Martin
I figured this was the case, but at least 1991 was easy to read.
1991 3.08, 3.42 (Blazer), 3.73, and 4.10's (Suburban only)
http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1991 That is a European publication though, not sure that is completely applicable here. I can't read the US one http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1991
This shows down to 2.73, but based solely on GVWR http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1990
1989 was similar, more ratios offered http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1989 (Blazer manual doesn't list ratios)
Looks to me like the later they got, the less likely you were to see a variation, culminating in 1991, where you were only going to get one of two.
1991 3.08, 3.42 (Blazer), 3.73, and 4.10's (Suburban only)
http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1991 That is a European publication though, not sure that is completely applicable here. I can't read the US one http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1991
This shows down to 2.73, but based solely on GVWR http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1990
1989 was similar, more ratios offered http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1989 (Blazer manual doesn't list ratios)
Looks to me like the later they got, the less likely you were to see a variation, culminating in 1991, where you were only going to get one of two.
Last edited:
89yimmiJ
1/2 ton status
My '89 Jimmy had them. I had to check my math 3-4 times when I checked them.
I bought the truck off the San Bernadino Sheriff's or Police Department and it had a few weird options like a 100 mph speedo with tripmeter and some other stuff I don't remember. The tripmeter was bad and I never could find a replacement other than an 85 mph speedo so I swapped in an earlier 100 mph speedo w/o trip.
72blazerguy
3/4 ton status
I have a 91 K5 that had 3.42....
Sorry I read the page wrong. Zooming in it's clear, 3.08, 3.42 (Blazer), 3.73, and 4.10's (Suburban only) were used 1991, but then again, no idea if the European and US trucks were exactly the same, since that is a European brochure.
Will correct my previous post.
Will correct my previous post.
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
My 79 had 2.73s when I bought it. Didn't expect them to be so high when I bought it, the thing had a heavy duty AG bumper/hitch, so the did some pulling with it.
I didn't vote though since it's not in that year range.
My 1990 K5 had 3.08's, my 1988 and 1989 'Burbs had 3.42's
My '88 Burb originally came with a 10 bolt and 3.42's. IIRC, one of the codes on the option sheet was for a "towing package" too.
mwood1985
1/2 ton status
my 88 had 3.08s factory. granted now its 4.56s in 10 bolts but im kicking the 4.10 one ton idea cause I need 38s. plus crossover....life was cheaper when my V10 was stock.... 
My dads 91 burb had 3.73s
So far it's looking like the later Burbs did not come with 2.73 or 3.08 ratios.
1990 Suburban 3:73. This vehicle had the tow option with oil cooler, trans cooler, bigger rear drums etc... best option a truck could have.
My 87 K5 had 3.08's from the factory.
When I got my 86 short box, it had the axles from a late 70's Blazer under it...they were 2.73's. Who knows what they were originally out of though. As that truck was used/abused/swapped/rebuilt/sold many times between a few people.
When I got my 86 short box, it had the axles from a late 70's Blazer under it...they were 2.73's. Who knows what they were originally out of though. As that truck was used/abused/swapped/rebuilt/sold many times between a few people.
my 90 3/4 ton 'burb has 3:73...6.2/400...(2wd)
