Question about gearing

[71chevc10]

I am going to add limited slip to my 71 c10 and would like to get a recommended ratio
I use my truck doing alot of interstate traveling and i also tow a boat 3500 lbs
thanks

[kwmech]

Engine, transmission and tire size come into play.

[71chevc10]

Im installing the gm performance HT 383 engine and i have a th350 auto tranny

[kwmech]

What gears do you have now and what is your tire size?

[71chevc10]

stock tires and i believe the 3 07?

[kwmech]

If that is the case, keep it the way it is. The 383 should have enough power to pull through the gears.

[trac209]

I second leaving it the way it is,I just swapped out 3.73 open for a posi 3.07 rear and it's way better at speed and still has plenty of off line performance. Your truck will tow that boat easy.

[71chevc10]

thanks for the replies! thats what i needed to know

[B Myers]

Originally Posted by trac209

I second leaving it the way it is,I just swapped out 3.73 open for a posi 3.07 rear and it's way better at speed and still has plenty of off line performance. Your truck will tow that boat easy.

I may want to install a posi dif in mine down the road, right now it's an open 3.07, 350/350. Did it drive differently when you installed the posi? Any negatives at all?

[James the III]

Originally Posted by B Myers

I may want to install a posi dif in mine down the road, right now it's an open 3.07, 350/350. Did it drive differently when you installed the posi? Any negatives at all?

Do, you have a lead foot?
Unloaded, it will be more tail happy.. depending on your right foot..
Might take some getting used to.. I love driving with rear steer.. myself

[trac209]

Originally Posted by B Myers

I may want to install a posi dif in mine down the road, right now it's an open 3.07, 350/350. Did it drive differently when you installed the posi? Any negatives at all?

There is no difference in how it drives with the posi as a negative. Traction is better and I went to less gear so the truck is just more friendly at anything more than 40 mph. I did a little reading before doing the 3.73 to 3.07 swap and some said truck would dog off the line and that's not so at all. I find it's just fine. One thing to factor in if anyone is considering gear ratios is that you can always put a 700r4 or 2004r and take advantage of the steeper first gear to regain the marginal loss of off line performance,and enjoy a real low rpm highway cruising speed.

[B Myers]

Originally Posted by trac209

There is no difference in how it drives with the posi as a negative. Traction is better and I went to less gear so the truck is just more friendly at anything more than 40 mph. I did a little reading before doing the 3.73 to 3.07 swap and some said truck would dog off the line and that's not so at all. I find it's just fine. One thing to factor in if anyone is considering gear ratios is that you can always put a 700r4 or 2004r and take advantage of the steeper first gear to regain the marginal loss of off line performance,and enjoy a real low rpm highway cruising speed.

Thank you, that's what I was looking for.

[trac209]

You're welcome ^^^