best gearing option

[jeremys14]

ill be running a 5.3 with a 4l60e on my 84 crew cab c20. whats my best option as far as gearing for running the setup. i have to get the ecu tuned for gear ratio anyway when doing swap, so might as well upgrade it before then.

 

[HotRodPC]

Very loaded question. What are you using the truck for? What size tire you running? I noticed you had a thread about lowering the truck? That tells me you're not towing with it and likely going with a short tire. For just a street cruiser, I'd go with a 3.42. If you want a little more pep off the start, I'd go 3.73.

 

[jeremys14]

don't know what size tire yet, but yes it won't be towing. its gonna be more of a street cruiser. i'm switching to half ton. truck will be getting lowered also. basically, i'm gonna be working a lot of overtime and want to do everything at once. i'm gonna be doing a 5.3 swap, so i'm having to go with tbi gas tank w/ sender and in tank pump. while doing gas tank, i figured i'd take the bed off. while the bed is off i figured i might as well notch the frame and do drop. while doing that i might as well go to half ton 5-lug. probly just under 30" tires.

 

[HotRodPC]

But, you know it's gonna be a street size tire, so yeah, with that combo I'd go 3.42 or 3.73. The 3.73 will let you feel some of that low end torque, and with an OD trans, should still be good on the freeway and keep you in a good range for decent mpg.

 

[bucket]

Unless you will be running a really short tire, I'd go with 3.73's. Your tranny will thank you.

 

[oneluckypops]

Sorry Hotrod I have to dis agree with your 3.42 selection, 3.42's are too high for the 60E to hold up, Yes I know gm runs those setups from the factory, but IMO it is a MISTAKE, I have seen more transmissions fail with 3.42's then I ever have ones that had 3.73's.

Even if your not going to be towing with the truck, I would still reccomend a 3.73 UNLESS your gonna run a tire that is under 28" tall which I highly doubt that.
ALSO make sure you add an external cooler for the transmission, the bigger the better, Its always a good Idea to add a Temperature gauge to it aswell, keep an Eye on it and if it start climbing shut er down quick

 

[jeremys14]

had planned on running big tranny cooler. thanks for the tip on the temp gauge.