07 Tahoe Axle Ratio Options

I will be ordering a Tahoe in the near future and was wondering if anyone can help with information in regards to the available axle ratio's? What I wanted to know is if anyone has test driven an 07 Tahoe with the 3.73 Axle ratio vs. one with the 4.10 back to back? Is there actually a noticeable difference in acceleration and or performance?  Are there any specs out there between the two as far as 0-60 time differences, fuel mileage, etc?  I was just reading the dealer Brochure and in the trailering section they state:" Higher rear axle ratio's, however, sacrifice fuel economy when not trailering". After reading this I started wondering what the difference is? 75% of my driving is in town, but I quite often pull a loaded 4000 LB trailer on the weekends. Would the 4.10 ratio give slightly better mileage and performance for regular city driving?

I would go with the 4:10 for towing but you will definately sacrifice gas mileage. 3:73 would be a good compromise if you only pull the trailer occasionally. 4:10 gives you better out of the hole pull but worse mileage. Personally I will sacrifice fuel mileage because I do not want to sacrifice anything while towing, but of you only tow occasionally 3:73 should be fine.

A lot of folks on this forum have actually reported better mpg with the 4:10 than the 3:73.  Dave/ZX indicated that the 5.3 operates in a more efficient rpm range with the 4:10, therefore better mpg.  Not to mention better acceleration off the line.

Get the 4.10 it will cost you more to get the right gears later.

4.10 will also give you more air-time (time in V4 mode), as they reduce the load on the engine.
They are the true choice of champions and you will suffer no loss of MPG, the difference is only 180RPM in OD vs. 3.73.

Thanks for the input from everybody!

 The local dealers here only seem to order trucks that have the 3.73 rear end in them, so I have been unable to test drive and compare.

Get the 4:10s, no question.  ZX has informed all of us many times that it is the more efficient gear!

The question begs to be asked, Dave, why not put 4:10s in all the Tahoes.
 
Better gas mileage and acceleration...Seems like a no brainer.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tahoe07

The question begs to be asked, Dave, why not put 4:10s in all the Tahoes.

Better gas mileage and acceleration...Seems like a no brainer.

Marketing maybe.  It is an option that can be charged for.  That maybe the optimal upgrade, forget programmers, intake, and exhaust.  For $500(for 2wd) you could really get seat of the pants performance difference and better gas mileage.

would it be possible to upgrade with to 4.10 if i call the dealer? i don't know what i have now but it sounds like 4.10s are the way to go.

The dealer could certainly do it, but it would most likely cost much more than an axle/drivetrain shop.

1HOT,
I asked ZX this a while back when this was discussed.  More than likely if you have 3:73's.  It is the most common gear!

ZX said it would not be cost efficient to put in 4:10's!  He basically said buy a new tahoe with 4:10's in it from the factory!

quote:

ORIGINAL: biglg

1HOT,
I asked ZX this a while back when this was discussed.  More than likely if you have 3:73's.  It is the most common gear!

ZX said it would not be cost efficient to put in 4:10's!  He basically said buy a new tahoe with 4:10's in it from the factory!

 
I give Dave his props but that is a big statement to guys that buy $45k trucks and spend another $5k on wheels just make them look different, $200 on IPod controllers, $300 on air intakes, etc.  Just my .02

Not sure what the $5k on wheels comment means.  However I think the point of the Sarcastic comment of buying a new tahoe was it wasnt very effiicent to put the 4:10s in after the fact. 

It wan't meant to imply anything (I bought new wheels also).  All I was saying is that new gears only cost $500 in a 2wd probably $1200 in a 4wd because the IFS.  How would it be more cost efficient to buy a new Tahoe?  If he has 3.73 gears the cost savings in fuel might not justify $500, but "WE" spend alot more than $500 without even thinking about it.  I have $2k in my Hemi just in the motor.
Me personally, I have 3.42 gears and with my new wheels and reading some of Dave's posts about the 4.10 gears, I can easily say that will be my next upgrade.
 
Merry Christmas.
Kevin

addkev,
 
No harm taken!  If you do the 4:10 upgrade please let me know what it ends up costing you!  If it isnt to much I may also make the same upgrade!  Thanks and please let us know when you complete the upgrade.

When configuring a Tahoe online I do not see the option for the 4.10, only the 3.42 and 3.73 for $100 more.  Is this something the dealer has in their system or did I configure wrong?
 
AXLE RR
Rear axle, , 3.42 ratio (GU6)
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