Gear swap compatibility with Silverado?

[Cryptothedog]

My father just got his Silverado front and rear end re-geared from 3:42 to 4:10 and he gave me his old parts. My suburban has the 3:08 gears. Does anyone know if the gears he gave me are compatible with my truck?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

@swathdiver recently gave me advice on my current gear swap project, and he may be able to provide some insight to you, as well.

 

[swathdiver]

My father just got his Silverado front and rear end re-geared from 3:42 to 4:10 and he gave me his old parts. My suburban has the 3:08 gears. Does anyone know if the gears he gave me are compatible with my truck?

What year are both trucks and what engine do they both have?

 

[Marky Dissod]

My father just got his Silverado front and rear end re-geared from 3.42:1 to 4.10:1 and he gave me his old parts.
My suburban has 3.08:1. Does anyone know if the gears he gave me are compatible with my truck?

If you're strictly speaking of the ring & pinion, answering swathdiver's question will help get you your answer.
Another way would be to snap pics of the Silverado's pumpkin and compare them to your pumpkin,
comparing by size shape & number of bolts (10 or 12 or 14) will pretty much give you your answer.

For best results a tcm tune will be required, but your engine & transmission will definitely appreciate 3.42, in the short & long term.

 

[Cryptothedog]

What year are both trucks and what engine do they both have?

@swathdiver He has a 2006 Silverado with the 4.8l. Mine is 2015 suburban with the 5.3

 

[Cryptothedog]

If you're strictly speaking of the ring & pinion, answering swathdiver's question will help get you your answer.
Another way would be to snap pics of the Silverado's pumpkin and compare them to your pumpkin,
comparing by size shape & number of bolts (10 or 12 or 14) will pretty much give you your answer.

For best results a tcm tune will be required, but your engine & transmission will definitely appreciate 3.42, in the short & long term.

If they will fit I have a hyper tech that I can change the gear ratio with.

 

[Cryptothedog]

I’m considering throwing at least a rear locker in at the same time since I will already have it apart

 

[swathdiver]

He has a 2006 Silverado with the 4.8l. Mine is 2015 suburban with the 5.3

If the axles in each are original to the vehicles, no, they are not compatible.

The Silverado would have a Saginaw 8.6" 10-Bolt differential. The Suburban would have a Salisbury 9.5" 12-Bolt differential.

Obviously the ring gear is much larger in the Suburban and they use different carriers as well.

Now, if both trucks are 4x4s, the front 8.25" clamshell differentials are essentially the same and their ring and pinion gears ought to swap over. Doveryay, no proveryay!

 

[Cryptothedog]

Well dang. At least the front will work and I’ll just have to buy the back. Thanks for the insight! I really appreciate it!

 

[swathdiver]

Well dang. At least the front will work and I’ll just have to buy the back. Thanks for the insight! I really appreciate it!

You're welcome! With 33s, you might like 4.10s too!

 

[15burban]

If I would be paying for gears even just for the back I wouldn't be going just one "step up". Especially if you're paying someone to do the install. Too much money for not much change in my opinion.

 

[Marky Dissod]

My suburban has the 3.08:1.

With 33"s, you might like 4.10:1 too!

If I would be paying for gears even just for the back I wouldn't be going just one "step up".
Especially if you're paying someone to do the install. Too much money for not much change in my opinion.

Since his bubba has 3.08 and 33"s and a 4" lift, and GM OE tow pack is 3.42,
3.73 would work great if his bubba does NOT tow / haul heavy or work / play hard.
If it tows / hauls HEAVY, or works or plays HARD, 4.10.

 

[Cryptothedog]

You're welcome! With 33s, you might like 4.10s too!

Yeah if I’m gonna buy new ones I’m definitely going 4:10 on front and back. That’s what my Dad put in his and they really woke it up on the low end.

 

[Cryptothedog]

If I would be paying for gears even just for the back I wouldn't be going just one "step up". Especially if you're paying someone to do the install. Too much money for not much change in my opinion.

Luckily I have a mechanic friend that owes me a favor and is doing the install for me! So I just have to pay for parts. My Dad paid $3200 dollars to get his front and back done in 4:10s. So it definitely won’t cost me that much. I’m definitely gonna go 4:10 though since I’m gonna have to buy new gears anyway.

 

[Cryptothedog]

Since his bubba has 3.08 and 33"s and a 4" lift, and GM OE tow pack is 3.42,
3.73 would work great if his bubba does NOT tow / haul heavy or work / play hard.
If it tows / hauls HEAVY, or works or plays HARD, 4.10.

Definitely tows heavy and works hard. I tow a 30 ft camper with it about 7 or 8 times a year. Two side by sides on a trailer probably 10 times a year and then a 19 ft boat probably 15 times a year. Then I take it hunting and take it places I really probably shouldn’t if I don’t have my sxs with me (that’s the reason for the lift/bigger tires. it definitely gets work done lol

 

[swathdiver]

Yeah if I’m gonna buy new ones I’m definitely going 4:10 on front and back. That’s what my Dad put in his and they really woke it up on the low end.

Check out the final drive ratios for each gear.

This is the 4-speed Silverado with 4.10s:

This is the 6-speed Suburban with 3.08s:

The Suburban again with 4.10s:

Look at the 1st gear final drive ratios between the first two! The lowly 3.08s are comparable to 4.10s in the 4-speed.

 

[fozzi58]

Depending on your setup, 4.10s will be a love hate relationship. Sounds like they will be a win for you.

I love my 4.10s. Awesome acceleration, smokey burnouts, Lets me scare the shit out of unsuspecting Mustangs and Snack Packs at the red lights.

I hate my 4.10s. 2800 RPM when I set my cruise control to 80mph