33's stock auto and shifting

Looking for some insight, I have 1 2013 sport DCSB and while headed up north for duck hunting with a decent load and 3 guys plus a head wind the truck was really bucking and shifting a lot. I am contemplating a re-gear just not sure if its worth it? I am looking to pick up a bit more power and keep the truck from shifting to much while in cruise control at 65 mph or so. I don't want to loose MPG if at all possible. I know this situation was not an everyday occurrence but I have found myself driving in 4th gear in the city so its not shifting so much. Any suggestions or just leave it alone? How much I am looking into for a re-gear and what should I go to if need be? Thanks for the help.

 

Re-gear.

 

I have just read in so many places in here that a re-gear for 33's is not needed. I don't notice it to much and maybe I am paying attention to how much it shifts to much? Maybe shifting while going up a hill is fairly normal. I am not to concerned other than I don't want it to take a major toll on the tranny.

 

shifting while going up a hill is common. adding the 33s will make it shift more often. if you want more usable power, regear. or maybe consider putting smaller/lighter tires on.

 

I do this with my 31's It also downshifts on slight inclines when cruise is engaged. I'm about to step up to 33's so I guess I can expect what you're describing. However I won't consider a re-gear unless it's really under-performing on road

 

look for some 33's that arent e-load range, theyre way lighter. i have 33" bftako's and theyre so heavy its just dumb. im looking at some duratracs that are s-load and are 13 lbs lighter per tire. I think thatll help out alot.

Or re-gear, but i think youll lose some mpg

 

No need to regear with 33s.

 

if it was a 4 cyl you could just get tooter's intake manifold spacer and bring down peak torque to more useful range..............

 

X2

The cc in these trucks is not linear at all (almost don't like using it),
if you have the sit. where the tranny is hunting for a gear cause it's loaded down or there's a hill coming up just shift to fourth ( I do this for hills) which will keep the tranny from down shifting, and when it levels out just shift back to fifth.

 

Honestly I refuse to use my cruise control since I put 33's on my truck. As above just down shift and ride it out. My vote is no on the regear. I have 45K+ on my 33's and have yet to think about re-gearing

 

Thanks for the reply's I would rather not spend the money anyway. I will probably just do as suggested above stay away from cruise control on hilly situations and a head wind. It does not lack power really it just shifts a bit to much for my liking when in the 55-70 mph range. I have duratracs right now not sure what the load rating is but I don't believe they're "e".

 

When i added 20's and 33's i was so dissapointed in the performance i changed back to stock. It was a huge difference. Now i am rolling the 20's and 33's again because i love the look, but am still in search of a way to have my cake and eat it too. I think a lighter tire is my best answer personally. I gotta have a good looking truck, but at the cost of performance and mpg?? just doesnt feel right.

You could always add a supercharger

 

The problem is the bigger you go in overall diameter on tires the less low end torque you will feel and re gearing will help bring that back. Its also the same in reverse if you go with a smaller diameter than stock it will make the engine feel more torque in the lower range. A super charger would help with overall HP and TQ but its not cheap!