S-10 gears - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

GasGuage · 01-13-2009, 10:52 AM

I was just wondering what gear ratio's S-10 owners are running in there 3rd members. My '97 w/2.2 5sp has 411's out back. I hooked up a SG 2 since I don't have a tach, & seen at 55mph, I running around 2400rpm.. That seems a little high. I figured the truck came out with low gears to compensate for the 4cyl, but I'm beginning to wonder. I guess I shouldn't complain seeing the mpg I'm getting, but it would be nice to see it under 2000rpm. If it only came out with a 6sp.

Intrigued · 01-13-2009, 12:11 PM

Dad has the 3.73s in his (ZR2). I've seen everything from 3.08s to 4.11s. There may be even a wider range than that.

That must be a fairly tall overdrive 5th, to get 2400 @ 55 with 4.11s. I've seen 1:1 4-speeds with shorter tires running right at 3 grand @ 55...

...not conducive to good fuel mileage!

Here is a place that you could look around and maybe find something...

Red · 01-13-2009, 02:15 PM

Highest you could go is a set of 2.41s, but you'd probably be lugging it. There is a lot of choices for that 10 bolt

GM / GMC / Chevrolet S10 Blazer Rear Differentials GM 7.5 Rings & Pinions Auto Parts: YG GM7.5-273, YG GM7.5-308, YG GM7.5-323, YG GM7.5-323T, YG GM7.5-342, YG GM7.5-342T, YG GM7.5-373, YG GM7.5-373T, YG GM7.5-411, YG GM7.5-411T, YG GM7.5-430, YG GM7

taco · 01-16-2009, 03:09 AM

i hhve 29 inch tall tires 3.58's and a .85 fifth in my 98 taco ( it is my lowest geared vechile)
at 55mph it runs a 1950rpm.

most new 6 speeds are over rated they give u an extra gear in between 3rd and 4th and about the same top gear as they 5 speed counter part.

GasGuage · 01-16-2009, 09:23 AM

My tires are 29" too. I'm not sure what the 5th gear ratio is. I guess I'm pretty close on the rpm's. I'd still like it under 2000, but I'm stuck with what I have.

bennelson · 01-16-2009, 01:51 PM

I have no idea what the gearing in my rear differential are!

I have the most plain/stock S10 ever - 1995 2.2l 5-speed.

I am planning on swapping my engine for a 2.4l Mercedes diesel. When I do that, I will need to talk to the local hot-rod guy who knows rear axels. He should be able to help me change the gearing to take advantage of diesel's torque to maximize fuel economy.

duaneb9729 · 01-16-2009, 08:46 PM

most extended cab s-10's with automatics have 4.10 rear ends in them, the ones with manual transmissions have 3.73's

The Atomic Ass · 01-16-2009, 09:49 PM

See now I'm confused, as I thought Chevy followed a strict pattern with their S-10 diff's...

4.11 for 2.2 + auto
3.73 for 2.2 + 5spd
3.43(.42? .45?) for 4.3 + auto
3.07(.10? .08?) for 4.3 + 5spd

That's what I saw, somewhere. Maybe in my service manual, although that was 98-03.

duaneb9729 · 01-16-2009, 10:13 PM

3.42 and 3.21 from the little bit i know, i wish i could find the s-10 forum that i used to belong to.

lost it when my lap top crashed

Intrigued · 01-17-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Atomic Ass

See now I'm confused, as I thought Chevy followed a strict pattern with their S-10 diff's...

4.11 for 2.2 + auto
3.73 for 2.2 + 5spd
3.43(.42? .45?) for 4.3 + auto
3.07(.10? .08?) for 4.3 + 5spd

In the old days it was 3.42 and 3.08. Nowadays??? Who knows... The site Red linked to a few posts back gives the whole range, I believe...

At the dealership I worked at, the salesmen liked to show their prowess in filling in the little squares that varied from the default on the order blank - after they had asked whether you were looking for mileage or were going to pull a trailer, of course...

I was just one of the mechanics, but once in a while they would use me as a guinea pig, to order in a special hot-rod version of one rig or another. Then they would let me do the pre-delivery on it, so at least I would get to drive the thing!!! Had a Trans Am scare the snot out of me once...