Visit our Popular Forums

Silvertwinkie · 02-04-2009, 09:04 AM

Was looking at the Chebby site a bit ago and found a few things.

As you know, recently GM dropped the 8.1L that was found in both the Silverado and the Suburban.

What I found for 2009 in terms of the Suburban is that you cannot get 4.10 gears anymore, even with 3/4 ton. 3.73 is the largest you can go. Half ton Burbs can only get 3.42s

Both seem to now have an integrated brake controller.

1/2 ton like last model year gets standard the 5.3L, but also an optional 6.0L.

What was odd and maybe just an error, the 3/4 ton's 6.0L off the website has a 351hp 6.0L engine, while the optional engine in the 1/2 ton 6.0L is a 366hp??

At any rate, I was not shocked but disappointed that the 8.1L disappeared in Suburban and also equally unhappy that a diesel for Suburban has yet to materialize, but thought I'd share some of the gearing changes I found for 2009 in Suburban.....

ROBERT CROSS · 02-04-2009, 09:30 AM

Plus they dropped the tow rating to 9600lbs.

Glad we got our's when we did.

byamcaravanner · 02-04-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

...Both seem to now have an integrated brake controller...

Please fill us in on this... since I own an '09 Suburban and didn't know that.

I'll have to check my owners manual tonight.

76sovereign · 02-04-2009, 09:51 AM

That's a shame....the 4.10 gears have been around for ever and have been a very effective rear end. How will the 3.75 gears effect pulling not to mention smaller engine?

Kani

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Was looking at the Chebby site a bit ago and found a few things.

As you know, recently GM dropped the 8.1L that was found in both the Silverado and the Suburban.

What I found for 2009 in terms of the Suburban is that you cannot get 4.10 gears anymore, even with 3/4 ton. 3.73 is the largest you can go. Half ton Burbs can only get 3.42s

Both seem to now have an integrated brake controller.

1/2 ton like last model year gets standard the 5.3L, but also an optional 6.0L.

What was odd and maybe just an error, the 3/4 ton's 6.0L off the website has a 351hp 6.0L engine, while the optional engine in the 1/2 ton 6.0L is a 366hp??

At any rate, I was not shocked but disappointed that the 8.1L disappeared in Suburban and also equally unhappy that a diesel for Suburban has yet to materialize, but thought I'd share some of the gearing changes I found for 2009 in Suburban.....

ROBERT CROSS · 02-04-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

Please fill us in on this... since I own an '09 Suburban and didn't know that.

I'll have to check my owners manual tonight.

Available with the LTZ Option package.

byamcaravanner · 02-04-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Available with the LTZ Option package.

According to Edmunds "Other major options for the Suburban ...a heavy-duty tow package (now with an integrated trailer brake controller)"

boondockdad · 02-04-2009, 10:27 AM

once those knuckleheads realize there's still a huge demand for super'burbs, they'll come around... if they're still around

53flyingcloud · 02-04-2009, 10:35 AM

Quite simply, the 3.73 gear ratio will not get you over the "humps" quite the same way a 4.10 gear will..Depending, with your load and, the smaller engine plus the 3.73 gearing, you may very well find yourself over in the far, far right lane...Doing 40mph with the pedal to the metal. Not a very nice feeling..
Having said all of that, you can still order an "After Market" 4.10 gear package. Just be sure you order both kits , for the front and rear, if you are 4x4..

boondockdad · 02-04-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53flyingcloud

Quite simply, the 3.73 gear ratio will not get you over the "humps" quite the same way a 4.10 gear will..Depending, with your load and, the smaller engine plus the 3.73 gearing, you may very well find yourself over in the far, far right lane...Doing 40mph with the pedal to the metal. Not a very nice feeling..
Having said all of that, you can still order an "After Market" 4.10 gear package. Just be sure you order both kits , for the front and rear, if you are 4x4..

i agree.. problem is that 4.10 kit and labor is $$$... not a DIY job... my heavy-chevy dealer wouldn't give me a definitive answer on whether it invalidated my warranty, either...

BillTex · 02-04-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

What I found for 2009 in terms of the Suburban is that you cannot get 4.10 gears anymore, even with 3/4 ton. 3.73 is the largest you can go. Half ton Burbs can only get 3.42s

And, hence, the comensurate drop in tow rating...however, if you need/like an SUV for towing, there is none better than the Burb...we had two and really loved em'. Great all around Family/Tow/Adventure vehicle...
9600# tow rating will pull anything AS ever made (except 5er'!) in style.

Bill

**Action** · 02-04-2009, 11:23 AM

The dropped options is likley due to lower sales and pressure on MPG ratings for the fleet. With the current economic conditions I would not be surprised to more changes like this.

And more combo option packages. You want this specific option???? Then you have to order this package on this model only. Keeps the line moving with less costs. And less costs are going to be the focus for awhile.

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

53flyingcloud · 02-04-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

i agree.. problem is that 4.10 kit and labor is $$$... not a DIY job... my heavy-chevy dealer wouldn't give me a definitive answer on whether it invalidated my warranty, either...

The last I heard, the charge for a good shop to put it in was..about the same as the price of the kit..Warranty is another issues..Personally, I can't see why..all things being equal, the kit is most likely a better material product than the original OEM...

Silvertwinkie · 02-04-2009, 11:37 AM

I took my granny gear 2.93s out and installed 3.73s in my SS (clone). Cost me about $300 to do it and about $250 for the kit (including gears). I coulda gone 4.10s in my tiny 8.5" pumpkin, but didn't.

I am sure the same could be done for a truck...however, if you have 4x4, don't you have to match the front gear too?

At any rate I fully agree with the thoughts on this thread about the 4.10s. One of the reasons I took this one when I found it. I nearly grabbed the same truck I have now, except with an 8.1L. In retrospect I shoulda taken it, but I got cold feet with getting a bigger engine than a 454!

Action is right, there is going to be a LOT of this going on. The Silverado line, way back when you could get the Duramax/Allison como for about $5500. Looking now it's nearly a retail price of about $9k.

Oddly enough, I did some very unscientific testing and found that a burb with 4.10s compared to a burb with 3.73s had no noticable fuel economy hit that I could see. Now I will fully agree that 4x4 (when activated) vs standard 2x4 is a significant difference in MPG.

I hope they come to their senses if they are still around and come up with another monster burb (Diesel, etc). Sadly me thinks it won't materialize anytime soon...... they want you to by a pickup truck....just like they didn't want you to buy a 1/2 ton car and nixed them all in 1996 to help guide you to their more profitable truck lines. Now it would appear they are once again steering you toward the pickups.

Silverwanabe · 02-04-2009, 12:28 PM

Silvertwinkie,

I could not agree more.

I feel GM is pushing buyers away from the Burb and is focusing on the Duramax/Allison combo for heavy towing; without the 8.1, the diesel is the only option for the largest units.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Oddly enough, I did some very unscientific testing and found that a burb with 4.10s compared to a burb with 3.73s had no noticable fuel economy hit that I could see. Now I will fully agree that 4x4 (when activated) vs standard 2x4 is a significant difference in MPG.

I know of what you speak!!! All the work I did on my 95 Burb to help with towing, 3:73 454, still don't match what the 8.1 gets w/4:10's, stock.
Right now, Buffalo Winter, a lot of AWD driving, still getting 13.8 (DIC), city/highway. POI, when I checked the PCM the tire height was set at 28", actual is 31", Speedo/tach now right on the button.

Diesel1 · 02-04-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalcutjoe

i agree.. problem is that 4.10 kit and labor is $$$... not a DIY job... my heavy-chevy dealer wouldn't give me a definitive answer on whether it invalidated my warranty, either...

Changing your gear ratio changes the fuel calibration and that pisses off the EPA big time. Hence the reason it voids your warrenty. adios, John

BillTex · 02-04-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

Oddly enough, I did some very unscientific testing and found that a burb with 4.10s compared to a burb with 3.73s had no noticable fuel economy hit that I could see. Now I will fully agree that 4x4 (when activated) vs standard 2x4 is a significant difference in MPG.

One of our Suby's had 3:73 the other 4:10. Both had 5.3l.No measurable difference in performance or mpg. Both had "HD tow pkg". Both great trucks.

Bill

Silvertwinkie · 02-04-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel1

Changing your gear ratio changes the fuel calibration and that pisses off the EPA big time. Hence the reason it voids your warrenty. adios, John

That's why you do it after the warranty is over.

I had my PCM re-calibrated after the gears went in...of course I just didn't stop with the gear ratio...fuel/air ratios, torque converter locking, cooling fan activations, etc.

Earth day everyday.

53flyingcloud · 02-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Here's my all time favorite Diesel Burb "dreaming" site..
Home

Andrew T · 02-04-2009, 07:27 PM

Hello

The 2009 Suburbans work with the taller axles because they all have 6 speed transmissions now. With the 6 speeds the ratios are much closer so you always have the correct ratio for the job at hand. It is amazing the difference a couple of extra ratios make I think if you try one you will find that it easily out pulls the earlier models with 4.10:1 axle ratio and gets better mileage.

Andy