Gear ratio vs pinion size

philofab

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What gear ratios is everyone running? 6.0 / 4L80 / 37" tires? Decent TCS converter with lockup. Planning another 9" but 10" is an option too.

5.43 = 38-7
5.50 =33-6
5.67 = 34-6
5.83 = 35-6

I'm concerned about gear life from small pinions. It's not a DD but I'd like to be able to drive it places vs trailering it. Even the lowest listed is ok at 80 mph which I think realistically is the fastest I'll ever go.

I asked on FB and got a lot of 4.11 / 4.56 answers which seem crazy tall for a prerunner on 37s.
 
I'm putting a stock 6.0/4l80 and I have 35s on my sonoma with 5.29s in the 9". I'm planning on turning around 2700-2800rpm at highway speeds. 4.11/4.56 is way too tall. Those are numbers for 4/6 cylinders and 33" tires
 
I have a 10" 5.43 with a TH400 and 39's. Great in the dirt...highway is about 3,800rpm +++
 
There is also a 5.75 gearset that is 46:8.

I'll be swapping to that on 37s from 5.13 on 35s. All with a .705 overdrive gear
 
I’m running a similar setup, granted I haven’t driven it yet but I can provide some feedback based on other people’s inputs i have spoken with. I ended up choosing the 5:34 ratio because it’s the last of the 7 tooth pinion gearsets and based on my customers/racers feedback the 6 tooth stuff doesn’t last nearly as long and needs more frequent servicing/replacements. I’m also running a 6.0ls (now a 402 stroker) with a 4l80 and 37”s. I was told by most everyone that it’s a good middle ground for both highway RPM’s and torque in the dirt. Won’t be over the top amazing at either one but will be decent at both.
 
I’m running a similar setup, granted I haven’t driven it yet but I can provide some feedback based on other people’s inputs i have spoken with. I ended up choosing the 5:34 ratio because it’s the last of the 7 tooth pinion gearsets and based on my customers/racers feedback the 6 tooth stuff doesn’t last nearly as long and needs more frequent servicing/replacements. I’m also running a 6.0ls (now a 402 stroker) with a 4l80 and 37”s. I was told by most everyone that it’s a good middle ground for both highway RPM’s and torque in the dirt. Won’t be over the top amazing at either one but will be decent at both.

It's being upgraded from a tired 350/350 combo so I'll end up with more power with any ratio I choose. That's solid advice tho, as of now I think 5.43 is the way. I can always change later if I don't like it.
 
5.43 is a very strong ratio but most full size trucks are a dog with 37s or 40s and 5.43. 5.89s and 37s seem to work better but realistically with a 4l80 you could run a 6.50 and not run out of gear.
if you go over 6s youll definitely need a 10" to get any life out of it. with a 5.43 setup proporly youll likely get thousands of miles.
 
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