Regearing

[buckshot85]

I'm planning on a BDS lift with 35's for my Sierra but I was wondering how important it would be to regear right away? I know they say to go with 4.56 with 35's on these trucks but I wanted to hold off on gears probably 6 months to a year with all my other projects and being about 6-7k right after lift,tire,ect. It is a DD and only sees the interstate twice a week.

Thanks for the info on this guys. If you think I need them being a DD I will order them with everything else.

 

[NMRam]

Does it have 3.42's now? If so, regear immediately. If you have 3.73's or 4.10's, you can probably live with it for a little while.

You have the 4L60e auto don't you? 1st gear in it is pretty high, so it won't last long with 35's if you don't regear.

 

[buckshot85]

Yea I have the 4L60e and it has 3.73's right now.

 

[canuckz71]

Is that the 6 speed trans? I've had mechanics at work tell me that the new 6 speed and 35's are a lot better than the OBS 4 speeds with 35's both with 3.73 gearing. That said 4.56 gears would still be much better than the 3.73's

 

[buckshot85]

Nah I wish it had a 6 speed but it still has the 4 speed.

 

[canuckz71]

Oh well if you can afford gears at the same time go with a set but if not you'd be okay with stock gears for a while until you save up. There is plenty of guys running 35's on stock gearing (3.42 or 3.73) but it's a dog. I have a buddy who had an old dodge on 35's with stock gearing and i think a pontiac firefly could keep up with it.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

You can do it with the 3.73s, for sure. It will be doggy, but will live until you get the funds.

It will be a night and day difference when you get the 4.56s, as far as the way it gets around town.

I have 4.10s and the 6 speed, and my heavy ass truck gets around great with a 33.5" tire.

 

[meremere]

Ive got a 99 chevy suburban 4x4 with stock gears and 37x12.5 tires and an 8in lift. gears have been at 3.73 which worked fine until it was being driven by someone else and was not at all geared for the highway or being driven roughly like stepping on gas and slamming on brakes. eventually the gears got burnt up and didnt meet and the rear end had to be replaced and re-geared to 4.88 which i should have done to begin with. it set me back a good bit so i would play it safe and re gear when possible. it worked fine with the stock gears being driven around town and driving her easy.

BTW, im no expert on this stuff but im just trying to learn from reading other peoples experience with lifting trucks.

Hope this helps!

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Ive got a 99 chevy suburban 4x4 with stock gears and 37x12.5 tires and an 8in lift. gears have been at 3.73 which worked fine until it was being driven by someone else and was not at all geared for the highway or being driven roughly like stepping on gas and slamming on brakes. eventually the gears got burnt up and didnt meet and the rear end had to be replaced and re-geared to 4.88 which i should have done to begin with. it set me back a good bit so i would play it safe and re gear when possible. it worked fine with the stock gears being driven around town and driving her easy.

BTW, im no expert on this stuff but im just trying to learn from reading other peoples experience with lifting trucks.

Hope this helps!

Welcome to the site! Post an intro thread, and tell us about your truck

 

[svensk]

Your putting a lot of stress on the trans by not gearing right away. 4l60 is made of balsa wood the way it is.