how to determine axle ratio?

445

Asked by Carlo Dec 07, 2009 at 04:15 AM about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban

Question type: General

How do you determine the axle ratio installed (stock) on a 2003 Suburban 4x4 (1500)? I was looking at tow ratings and noticed there were two listings provided for my vehicle (3.73 & 4.10, if I remember correctly).

9 Answers

235

Jack up the rear end of the vehicle, Put a mark on the Drive Shaft, Spin the Rear wheel by hand one time and count how many times the drive shaft makes complete rotation. ex. If you spin the wheel one time and the drive shaft makes 3 & 3/4 spins then it is a 3.73. if it makes a little over 4 spins then its a 4.10. I may have it ass backwards to be honest with you though. it may be how many times the wheel spins for one drive shaft rotation. I hope this helps

14 people found this helpful.
445

Thanks Ricky... someone mentioned about RPO codes stamped in the glovebox that determines the axle ratio from the factory on a late 90's Chevy... I wonder if that applies as well to my '03... I'll check if there's any coding stamped in the glove box in the mornin'... I appreciate your quick reply.

10 people found this helpful.
445

99'Heartbeat posted this on the GMTruckClub forums: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php type in your VIN and it'll spit out all the RPO codes for your vehicle(s). I guess I've got myself a 3.73 axle ratio based on RPO code: GT4 w/ a 7200lb GVWR.

17 people found this helpful.
13,275

Somewhere on the driver's door or body area of your vehicle you will find a sticker that has the VIN across the top, GVR, tire size, and other information on it. At the bottom of that sticker it will show an "axle code". Take that information with the VIN number to any dealership and they can get the gear ratio and tell you what type of rear axle is in the vehicle. SOMETIMES, if you crawl underneath the truck, there will be a tag on the rear axle cover (held on by a bolt) and the gear ratio will be stamped into the metal tag.

11 people found this helpful.
260

The codes are on the sticker inside the glove box door.

26 people found this helpful.
30

usually a tab with the ratio on one of the bolts on the inspection plate on the rear end, or see how many times you have to turn the driveshaft to get a full rotation of the wheels. (3.73 turns driveshat/1 rotation of wheels=3.73/1 or 3.73.

3 people found this helpful.
20

How do I line the drive,shaft and rear end on 2000 chevy z71

1 people found this helpful.
60

What # gear is my truck chevy suburban 1997 suburban 1500 2 wheel drive i know 3.42

6 people found this helpful.

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