1997 chevy s10...next mod

[MarkM66]

How do you plan on swapping the gears?

Are you going to buy new gears, and have someone install them? Are you going to do it?

My point is, sounds like an expense that might take a very long time to pay for itself.

If you really want to do it, I would probably look for a cheap used rear end with the ratio you want. Swap it, if it works great, if not, swap it back and sell it.

[MarkM66]

Have you considered going to manual steering? I have it on my '85 S10 and I like it.

You could also lower it very economically.

I like fuel mileage, but to me having AC trumps that every time.

[cruiser]

You could test the gear ratio idea by swapping a taller tire. What size tire do you run now? If its a 14 you could go to 15 or 16 and get a low profile/low drag tire with a larger diameter which in turn would do the same as getting a lower # rear. The GMC typhoon had 16" alum? rims I think. You should be able to find a chart for tires sizes and gears on summits website. or on one of the many 4x4 sites. There is always talk of what gears to change when upping tire size so you still have power/mpg etc..

[kir_kenix]

But wouldn't upping the tire size just make the vehicle taller, creating more drag? I can do a ring and pinion swap for about $135 with brand new components. Tires are 225/75/15 with about 9-10k on them now. Not sure what wheels/lrr tires would cost me, but I'm sure it would get pricey quick.

I guess my trailer has taller, skinnier tires with the same 5x4.75 bolt pattern. I could swap those on for a test ride and compare. In the past, whenever I've switched to a taller tire I have gotten worse gas mileage. I guess I may have never intentionally switched to taller & skinnier tire just for fuel economy though. If there is some validity to it, I could start looking around for cheapo 16's.

I'll give it a try when it heats up cruiser and I'll see how it goes.

[cruiser]

Unless you go up major size in tires your only talking a 1/4" of ride height max. I jumped major sizes on my jeep and it only raised the ride height 1". I did go from the factory 32" to 34" tires. You will need to recalculate the speedo as it will be off. Not sure how the chevy is done? Cable still or electronic? If still old school it's an easy change two plastic gears to change.

[cruiser]

Also if you can find one that will fit your s-10 a gear vender OD. It's a small two speed trans that bolts on the back of the trans and gives a 13 or 20% OD (I think there are two options when you order) and you shift this on once at highway speed. Gives good mpg on highway but you can still tow/haul. I installed one on a Cadillac for a customer back in the 80's and it had OD already. He was getting well in the 20's on the highway with a 500 ci v8.

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted by cruiser

Also if you can find one that will fit your s-10 a gear vender OD. It's a small two speed trans that bolts on the back of the trans and gives a 13 or 20% OD (I think there are two options when you order) and you shift this on once at highway speed. Gives good mpg on highway but you can still tow/haul. I installed one on a Cadillac for a customer back in the 80's and it had OD already. He was getting well in the 20's on the highway with a 500 ci v8.

It cost to much, and would never pay for itself in fuel savings.

[cruiser]

That all depends on how much you drive. I sadly drive for a living and have put on 50-60k miles in one year before, 40k being normal. It's something that can be removed and swapped to another truck if you buy another s10,, and since it turns on/off it isn't as permanent as regearing to find you can't tow anything or have issue climbing a steep grade.

[JRMichler]

I have an 06 Canyon, the successor to your S10. My largest MPG gains came from DWL combined with Nokian WR tires pumped to 47 PSI (10%), a kill switch (7%), and a grille block (almost 7%). The aero topper only gave me 5% MPG over the Leer topper that it replaced.

Go for the cheap stuff first. Tire pressure is free, a kill switch and grille block less than $50 total.

[Weather Spotter]

Jr, you got hard numbers for you gains? If so I would like them so I can add them to our wiki.