Off-topic ... anyone know about gas 2dr Tahoes?

[curmudge1]

This is a pretty knowledgeable bunch, I hope you don't mind this topic, I'm not sure where else to ask...

I'm looking for/at a late (99/98) 2-door gas Tahoe(s), would prefer 3.42 axle ratio for fuel economy. I talked to a used car sales rep who sounded knowledgeable, said he used to work at a Chevy dealer. The Tahoe he has on the lot has a 3.73 axle, and he thought that all/most of the later 2 door 4WD Tahoes were Sport models, and they'd all have the 3.73, "more agressive" axle ratio.

So, does anyone know, or know how to find out, whether GM built any/many 2-door Tahoes (98/99) with the 3.42 axle?

If they're as scarce as 6.5 diesel versions, I might as well go for the 3.73 & stop looking.

TIA

[john8662]

they're out there, but 3.42 with a 4wd tahoe isn't really going to gain that much in fuel economy at all. I think 3.73 would be the preferred ratio for a 350 gasser. I know the gas trucks don't get good fuel economy anyways, I had a 97 2wd ex cab 5.7 vortec once, best ever fuel mileage was 16, never again...

[grape]

i've got a set of the reverse cut 3.42's for the front IRS diff that I'll take $25 + the ride for. on a side note my mom's 3.73'd '97 4x4 2 door tahoe gets 16.somethin in town mileage, kinda surprised me it does that well.

[Govt issue]

I have a 97 z71 with 3.42, I get 14 in town running hard. I have gotton 18 on the highway. it likes to cruise at about 85 real nice. I have pulled my 7400 lb boat with it . don't get in a hurry and it could pull it to the speed limiter.3.42 are good, but if you are going with a 285 tire go with the 3.73. Also don't get the 5.3 or any other new motor with any taller than 3.73 tq is to high in the power band and the truck is sick with some weight on them. In fact If i was going to tow with a new z71 I would order the 4.10. peek tq at 4000 rpm is bad. the 350 was at 2800.

[matt-max]

ditto what grape said. some tahoes came with 245's and some with 265's. 285's will fit on the right rim with a crank of the torsion bars and look great. ride definitely suffers as will mileage and off the line grunt and tow capacity.

my suggestion: keep your eye on autotrader.com and find a diesel 2-door. stock mine got almost 20mpg on the highway with my leadfoot with tons of torque.

matt

[curmudge1]

Well, if I ran across a 99/98 diesel 2-door Tahoe without too many miles, I'd be sorely tempted.

But 18mpg highway economy for a gasser would be just fine, especially as how gas has been usually cheaper the last couple of years.