jeanguypataterub

Hi everyone. I'm just ordering my truck this week and I have to decide between the 3.73 or the 3.55 gear for the rear end. Does anyone know if the 3.73 will be a lot harder on gas or is the difference negligible? I do mostly highway driving. I was told that if I want the trailer tow package in 2013 you can't also get the 3.55.

Thanks for your help.

Pierre

justjimmy

Not sure about what the 2013 come with but I have the 2011 3.55 5.0L and it tows fine.

From what I have read here, there isn't a big difference between the 3.55 and 3.73 regarding MPGs but there IS a difference regarding towing. Obviously, the 3.73s will tow more.

Also, if you want to eventually get larger tires, the 3.73s would be a better choice.

I'm sure there's lots of members that can chime in as well.

Good luck!

flanneljunkie

There will be an MPG difference, albeit a very small one. If you don't tow very often, and don't plan to level/lift and get bigger tires, the 3.55 should be a nice highway driver.

If you are considering the max tow package, then you probably do plan to tow at some point, I would consider the 3.73. I have those coupled with the 5.0 v8, and it is a great town driver, and still gets 20-21mpg on the highway (flat, 65mph).

Best of luck!

ToxicUrineUsa

Get 3.73's I have 3.55's and wish I had 3.73's. When I put on bigger tires the 3.55's sucked.

Adobe2X

Get the 3.73's. For what it's worth, I think that the engine is more in the "zone" for torque on the highway, and you will have LESS downshifting with the 3.73's.
I know that with my EB, I cruise at 75 right at 1,980 rpm. The torque curve starts to come on in the EB at 1,700 rpm, so the engine is making enough power at that rpm to stay in 6th most of the time.
Not sure it would do that if it were attempting to maintain that speed at a couple of hundred less rpm.
That, and if you ever plan on towing, the max tow is THE way to go. It will give you much needed "headroom" for towing weight. Don't handicap yourself going in when trailer shopping!

MPETE

iTrader: (1)

I have RCSB 2wd 5.0 with 3.31's. it is definitely NOT in the power band of the engine at cruise speeds and almost any acceleration requires a down shift. I WANTED 3.55's but couldnt find a truck locally the way I wanted with anything but 3.31's. I figured if it was really that bad I could always regear it later on.
truth be told I dont think even a 3.55 will put the 5.0 in it's sweet spot.
bottom line

GO 3.73 and dont look back.

smurfs_of_war

I follow the others here. Get the 373. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The mpg difference is so minimal vs the additional towing capacity offered that it's worth it.
I have the 355 and wish I had followed my own advice

SuperCruzin

the difference from 3.55 to 3.73 boils down to something like 150-200rpm on the highway IIRC. Whats that? a little more than a needle width.

I ordered my truck with the 5.0L and 3.73s. If 4.10s had have been an option, I'd have gone with that.

PawPaw

Wish I had the 3.73's to help with the larger tires and when I tow. My old truck with the 5.4 and 3.73's had a lot more low end pull then the 5.0 with 3.55's. Torque range with the 5.0 is a little too high. Just my opinion.

byoungblood

Closer to 90 rpm at 70.

Go with 3.73s. Fuel economy is negligible between the two and regearing is expensive on down the road.