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3.42 vs. 3.73 with a twist (14' truck performance)

Old Mar 5, 2014 | 09:15 PM
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Default 3.42 vs. 3.73 with a twist (14' truck performance)

Since my truck was stolen, I am in the market for a new truck. I am looking to order a 2014 Sierra ECSB 4x4 6.2L. I was going to order the max trailer package in order to get the 3.73 gears. But I was reading that part of that package includes heavier springs and revised shocks. One of my biggest complaints on the old truck was the rear seemed to be over sprung and was uncomfortable on undulating roads. I don't neccissarily want to deal with stiffer springs. So that means I am relegated to 3.42 gears. I will probably get the off road package as it has a larger front sway bar and shocks. The only positive I could see to the heavier springs is possibly flatter handling.

What kind of performance in 0-60 and 1/4 will i give up not getting the 3.73 gears?
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Old Mar 5, 2014 | 11:52 PM
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You should be able to get your dealership to order the 3.73s as a standalone option.

You'll give up a bit of performance otherwise in exchange for no gas mileage gains.
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Suburbazine
You should be able to get your dealership to order the 3.73s as a standalone option.

You'll give up a bit of performance otherwise in exchange for no gas mileage gains.
I'll ask, but from everything I've read, it is not like in the past, where they could be ordered separately, they get bundled with the package and only the package.
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 10:29 PM
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I haven't ordered a new truck recently, but if you're spending money to buy a new one, the dealerships will bend over backwards to get you what you want, how you want it.
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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 06:40 AM
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i'm not even too sure they can swap them out. As I understand it the new axles are larger than the previous gen and the max axle with 3.73s is even larger.
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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 08:10 AM
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They have stiffer leafs in the back with the max trailing package, or just the shocks?
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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 09:24 AM
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It says shocks and springs
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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 11:03 PM
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I went out and drove a 14' 6.2l 4x4 with no max trailer and a 14' 6.2l 2wd with Max trailer and noticed no difference in the ride, both bounced equally. My only concern is finding shocks in the future.
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 11:46 AM
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Stock shocks aren't best anyhow they are decent. When I did all the lowering on my 11 I went with bilsteins and it made a huge difference in on road stability. I'm going to change them on my wifes truck in few months just gotta get some nickels and dimes together.
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 12:24 PM
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I guess my concern is buying Bilstein 5100's and having them damped for the normal springs, leading to an issue of under dampening.
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