GM Truck axle opinions

[Tom Brown]

Let's pretend I were interested in a GM extended cab pickup with the 5.3l V8 gas engine and 2 WD. Further, let's suppose that truck were to need to tow a 1500~1700 lb boat and trailer.
Can I get away with the 3.23:1 axle? I don't want to pay the fuel penalty for the 3.73:1 axle and 1700 lbs isn't a lot. I'm pretty sure I won't need it.
Any opinions?

[Sleek-Jet]

Tom, you're not thinking like a ***boater...
You need at least a 1 ton dually diesel with the full tuner treatment and lifted 12 inches... Also, you need to put triples on the trailer.
Preferably you should get a toter-home with a 550 hp Cummins.
:D :D :D
Seriously though, I pull my 21' cruiser around with my full size 93 Blazer (equiped with a mighty 180 hp 350) and it's got some tall gears in it (probably somewhere on the other side of 3.00:1). I have no problems. 3:23:1 with only 1700 lbs should work out.

[sigepmock]

One thing to keep in mind is what size tire you are going to be running. If you stay with stock size tires then the 3.23's will be fine for highway cruising, you may suffer a little when towing but sounds like that won't be very often. I would question what you are towing that is that light. I know my 7' x 16' foot flat bed trailer empty weighs 1200 lbs but that's not what you're asking.
If you're doing a lot of in town driving or stop and go then the 3.73's would actually be better for your milage and wear and tear on the truck. Think of it in terms of always starting out in 2nd or 3rd gear in a manual, that's not good. Those 3.23's are really just for highway cruising.
Just my $.02,
Chris

[YeLLowBoaT]

just get a .410 and be happy....
the 373 would be a better "all around" gear...more so for you with all that snow

[H20 Toie]

towing 1700# aint shit you can do that with a jeep, but just becuase you have tall gears doesn't mean better mileage somtimes you are better off with lower gears so the engine doesn't have to work so hard to get moving

[Tom Brown]

You need at least a 1 ton dually diesel with the full tuner treatment and lifted 12 inches... Also, you need to put triples on the trailer.
You know how we do it. :D
3:23:1 with only 1700 lbs should work out.
Thanks. :)
If you stay with stock size tires then the 3.23's will be fine for highway cruising, you may suffer a little when towing but sounds like that won't be very often.
Stock tires.
Yeah, towing will be pretty infrequent. I will use it to launch the boat a few times per weekend but that is a 150 foot journey that can be done just as easily with our garden tractor, if the truck isn't handy.
If you're doing a lot of in town driving or stop and go then the 3.73's would actually be better for your milage and wear and tear on the truck.
Thanks.
Thank you. I appreciate the advice, gents. :cool:
BTW, the boat/trailer weighted out at 1490#. I didn't notice the level fo the fuel tanks so I'm thinking it could well be closer to 1700 with full tanks, particularly if I throw a cooler and other stuff in there.

[sorry dog]

I suggest you buy a Maxima...with optional tow package...and shit.

[canuck1]

Tom go with the 373

[Biglue]

Hey Tom, My friend had an 01 4.6? (smaller of the GM V8's) with the same rear end ratio. He towed his 20 footer which weighed close to 4K on the trailer no problem. Never had an issue whatsoever.

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I just bought a 00 Chevy 3/4 with a 6.0 with 373 gears. My first tank I got almost 14. 13.765