Rear-End

[foxman]

I know this probably has already been covered but I cannot seem to find the information. I have tried several trucks with different gear ratio and concluded that a 3.73 will be the ideal gear for my application. My question is:
Is it possible to use a later ( 99 - up) rear end to get 3.73 and put my OBS hubs on that housing to retain the 6.5 stud pattern. If this is not a resonable solution, then other suggestions would be welcomed. I have one truck with 3.55 and one with 4.10 and it seems to me that the ideal gear is in between. Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions!

Foxman

 

[Mutley]

3.73's would be nice. My 4.10's are great for pulling load but empty highway prob sends mpg's thru the roof.

 

[Goofyexponent]

You are going to hve to go aftermarket on this one.

 

[snicklas]

I have 3.73 and they are just about perfect. I am able to cruise at ~70mph @ 2100rpm and that will get me ~20 mpg on the interstate on a long trip. They are also not to shallow to tow, 5000 lb camper I can take off fairly quickly from a stop. Surprises alot of drivers that are going to zoom past the "big slow camper"

This is on the truck in my sig.

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

put 3.73 in my 96, loved them. had to get new aftermarket

 

[foxman]

Where aftermarket did you go for the 3.73. I am guessing that you changed the gearset and kept your carrier. I was really hpoing to be able to do this with the later rear end but I guess I am outmof luck.
Foxman

 

[u2slow]

Hubs will not swap from the OBS to SD or vice versa. The spindle is stubbier and the bearings are smaller on the SD.

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

I think they were aams, the macine shop put them in.
Not shure if E vans came with 3.73 or not, but they stayed with the 8 x 6.5 lugs
the width is also the same as the obs trucks, but the spring perches are in the wrong place.
was gonna use one from a 00 in my 95, but sold the truck

 

[foxman]

To u2slow:
This is exactly what I wanted to know. However I wish you could have said " Yes the banjo housings are the same and the hubs will interchange" but this just my luck. My luck is so bad that , " if they cut women in half - - - - I'd get the half that eats". But thanks for the info as it saves a lot of disgust later. thanks
Foxman