2013 YukonXL 2 speed Transfer case change to 1 spd

[1stYukonXL]

I'm looking at what's involved to change from the 2 speed transfer case in a 2013 to a single speed and/or changing the existing 3.48 rear end gears to 3.08 for better milage. Anybody had any experience or advice with this?

 

[Fless]

Moved you here for more focused potential answers.

 

[petethepug]

Welcome from SoCal

I usually see owners swap’g the Denali & Esky AWD xfer case to the single or 2 speed cases. Yes, it can be done.

Obviously this isn’t exactly what you’re looking to do but it will have info and pics on what you’re getting into.

Keep in mind if you change the ratio in the diff at one end of the truck, you’ve got to match the diff at the other end.

The AWD to 4WD swap …

Denali AWD to 2 speed 4wd Transfer Case Swap.

Thought I would post a bit about my AWD to 4WD conversion on my 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali. I like the AWD for snow driving, traction, etc., but wanted selectable 4 LO and being able to have 2WD for a little more daily, highway efficiency and donuts One other major downside of the AWD tcase is...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

The AWD to 2WD swap …

 

[1stYukonXL]

Moved you here for more focused potential answers.

Thanks! If someone replies to my post do I receive a message or do I have to check the site daily?

 

[PG01]

Thanks! If someone replies to my post do I receive a message or do I have to check the site daily?

Depends on settings on your account
You can set it for email notifications

 

[1stYukonXL]

Welcome from SoCal

I usually see owners swap’g the Denali & Esky AWD xfer case to the single or 2 speed cases. Yes, it can be done.

Obviously this isn’t exactly what you’re looking to do but it will have info and pics on what you’re getting into.

Keep in mind if you change the ratio in the diff at one end of the truck, you’ve got to match the diff at the other end.

The AWD to 4WD swap …

Denali AWD to 2 speed 4wd Transfer Case Swap.

Thought I would post a bit about my AWD to 4WD conversion on my 2007 GMC Yukon XL Denali. I like the AWD for snow driving, traction, etc., but wanted selectable 4 LO and being able to have 2WD for a little more daily, highway efficiency and donuts One other major downside of the AWD tcase is...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

The AWD to 2WD swap …

Thanks for your reply. I don't know why I would want to change the 2 speed part? Just throwing that out there. What I really am interested in is going from the 3.48 to the 3.08 for hopefully better milage? What would be involved in this only?

 

[j91z28d1]

Thanks for your reply. I don't know why I would want to change the 2 speed part? Just throwing that out there. What I really am interested in is going from the 3.48 to the 3.08 for hopefully better milage? What would be involved in this only?

unless you do a lot of highway driving on flat roads going down ratio isn't going to help a lot.

city driving guys seem to say going up in gears makes it's accelerate eaiser and might help fuel a bit. but if you're having a shop change both front and back diff gears, it's pretty expensive. I bet it's over 3k$ these days. that buys a lot of fuel.

going to a transfer case with 2wd might help mileage a bit. or maybe even getting rid of 4wd if you don't need it. save the weight, hassle working on stuff and extra drag of the drive line spinning. but again, that's maybe 1mpg?

it's very hard to make a vehicle that gets bad mileage stock get better. easier to make them go faster, much harder to make them more efficient

 

[SpareParts]

If I'm driving a vehicle I like and enjoy driving gas mileage is the last thing I'm worrying about as that's just part of the cost of doing what I like.
I seem to be in the minority though.

 

[wjburken]

The transfer case has nothing to do with gear ratio. If you simply want to change your gear ratio, you need to change your front and rear differentials.

Do the math on your fuel savings. If dropping down to 3.08 gears lets you go from 19 mpg to 21 mpg, if you drive 20,000 miles a year, that’s a savings of about 100 gals. At $4.00/gal that’s only $400 a year. If you spend $1000 or more on the conversion, you won’t see any savings for almost 3 years. If you drive fewer miles; the longer it will take to pay yourself back.

 

[petethepug]

Thanks for your reply. I don't know why I would want to change the 2 speed part? Just throwing that out there.

Again, much aware you’re not wanting to add a 2SP xfer case. Only wanted to get the process of the swap(s) to you.

Obviously this isn’t exactly what you’re looking to do but it will have info and pics on what you’re getting into.

 

[swathdiver]

I'm looking at what's involved to change from the 2 speed transfer case in a 2013 to a single speed and/or changing the existing 3.48 rear end gears to 3.08 for better milage. Anybody had any experience or advice with this?

How do you drive the Yukon and what kind of gas mileage are you getting with it now? What kind of fuel are you feeding it? How much weight is it carrying usually?

 

[1stYukonXL]

Depends on settings on your account
You can set it for email notifications

Depends on settings on your account
You can set it for email notifications

Thanks, I went into my preferences and set things up.

 

[1stYukonXL]

The transfer case has nothing to do with gear ratio. If you simply want to change your gear ratio, you need to change your front and rear differentials.

Do the math on your fuel savings. If dropping down to 3.08 gears lets you go from 19 mpg to 21 mpg, if you drive 20,000 miles a year, that’s a savings of about 100 gals. At $4.00/gal that’s only $400 a year. If you spend $1000 or more on the conversion, you won’t see any savings for almost 3 years. If you drive fewer miles; the longer it will take to pay yourself back.

Thanks for your input. Yes I do drive 20,000 plus miles a year and lots of it highway driving. Around town as soon as I get to speed I use my cruise control and that seems to help. Your math does make sense. If I can basically get a front and rear end for scrap value then it might be worth it? I haven't purchased yet and it seems everyone I find that has what I want also has the 3.48 gears and has scared me away, but I might just now say the heck with it and grab the next one with low milage and good undercarriage that I see.

 

[j91z28d1]

if you're looking for a cheap. parts truck. the hybrids all but the first year's Cadillacs have a 3.08 gear axle front and back. it's the smaller sized ring and pinion rear end so you would technically lose some tow rating if you have the larger one now, but if you don't max tow often, not a huge deal.

I have seen deals where the owner is traveling and something hybrid related goes out, no local shop will work on it for them and towing them home is more hassle than it's worth. I've seen them non running for 500$.

keep an eye on Facebook and Craig list, they pop up for cheap non running. if you have place to store the parts, there's a small demand for enough of the discontinued hybrid parts that you might make a profit off the parts and get the 3.08 axles for free.

things like brake masters and controls are impossible to find new, modules and the like wouldn't take up much room and list on ebay. transmission are rare and used is about the only option.


just a thought. I would be interested if you see any mph increase

 

[intheburbs]

Crunch the numbers. As others have said, you'll see a ROI of at least 5 years, if not more. Never mind the fact the price of gas is likely to go down in the upcoming years.

 

[1stYukonXL]

if you're looking for a cheap. parts truck. the hybrids all but the first year's Cadillacs have a 3.08 gear axle front and back. it's the smaller sized ring and pinion rear end so you would technically lose some tow rating if you have the larger one now, but if you don't max tow often, not a huge deal.

I have seen deals where the owner is traveling and something hybrid related goes out, no local shop will work on it for them and towing them home is more hassle than it's worth. I've seen them non running for 500$.

keep an eye on Facebook and Craig list, they pop up for cheap non running. if you have place to store the parts, there's a small demand for enough of the discontinued hybrid parts that you might make a profit off the parts and get the 3.08 axles for free.

things like brake masters and controls are impossible to find new, modules and the like wouldn't take up much room and list on ebay. transmission are rare and used is about the only option.


just a thought. I would be interested if you see any mph increase

Thanks for all your input! I'm up in Canada so might be a little different senecio? So aftermarket companies don't sell new parts for 2013 Yulo XL's etc.?

 

[1stYukonXL]

Thanks for all your input! I'm up in Canada so might be a little different senecio? So aftermarket companies don't sell new parts for 2013 Yulo XL's etc.?

Crunch the numbers. As others have said, you'll see a ROI of at least 5 years, if not more. Never mind the fact the price of gas is likely to go down in the upcoming years.

Ya, your probably right, think I'll go after the one I'm looking at now. It has everything else I want. Thanks for you response!