Yukon Gear High Performance Gear Set For GM 11.5in in a 3.42 Ratio

Yukon Gear High Performance Ring and Pinion Set for GM 11.5 inch in a 3.42 Ratio

When your Chevy Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, Dodge Ram 2500, or Ram 3500 needs a reliable gear swap, part number YG GM11.5-342 delivers Yukon Gear precision in a 3.42 ratio matched set for the GM 11.5 inch and Chrysler 11.5 inch rear axle housing. The YG GM11.5-342 ring and pinion gear set is engineered to OE tolerances with a high-performance tooth profile, making it a direct replacement for worn factory gears or an upgrade for ratio changes on heavy-duty trucks used for towing, hauling, and work duty cycles.

Features and Benefits

• High-strength steel ring and pinion matched and lapped as a set for quiet, precise operation
• 11.50 inch ring gear diameter with 12 ring gear bolt pattern
• 3.42 gear ratio ideal for balancing fuel economy with towing capability
• 30-spline pinion shaft for maximum torque transmission
• Fits both GM 11.5 inch (2010 and down and 2011 up) and Chrysler 11.5 inch (2010 and down, 2011 up leaf spring) rear differentials
• Precision cut teeth provide smooth engagement and reduced noise under load
• One-year Yukon Gear warranty against manufacturer defects
• Sold as a matched ring and pinion set

Vehicle Fitment

Specifications

What Is Included

• One matched ring gear
• One matched pinion gear
• Factory documentation and installation notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Will part number YG GM11.5-342 fit my 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD?
Yes. The YG GM11.5-342 is compatible with 2001 through 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD trucks equipped with the GM 11.5 inch rear axle.

Does this fit Dodge Ram trucks?
Yes. YG GM11.5-342 also fits 2003 through 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 as well as 2011 through 2018 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks equipped with the Chrysler 11.5 inch rear axle.

What is the pinion spline count on the YG GM11.5-342?
This ring and pinion set uses a 30-spline pinion shaft.

Does this gear set include installation hardware or a master rebuild kit?
The set includes the matched ring and pinion only. For a complete rebuild, you will also need a master overhaul kit and a pinion depth shim set. Yukon Gear offers compatible kits sold separately.

What gear ratio change would help my HD truck for towing?
The 3.42 ratio in YG GM11.5-342 is factory-spec for many HD applications and provides a good balance of towing torque and highway RPM. Numerically higher ratios like 4.10 or 4.56 increase low-speed torque but raise highway RPM.

Does the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protect my purchase?
Yes. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, installing an aftermarket part number such as this Yukon Gear ring and pinion set does not void your vehicle manufacturer warranty unless the dealer can prove the aftermarket part directly caused the failure requiring warranty service.

How do I know if my GM 11.5 axle is the 2010-down or 2011-up version?
The GM 11.5 underwent a design revision for 2011. Both generations use the same ring gear bolt count (12) but have different carrier dimensions. Verify your axle code or consult your VIN decode. The YG GM11.5-342 is listed as compatible with both generations.

What oil should I use after installing YG GM11.5-342?
Yukon Gear recommends a high-grade non-synthetic GL-5 gear oil. Do not use synthetic gear oil immediately after break-in; allow at least 500 miles on the new gear set before switching to synthetic if desired.

Installation Instructions

1. Safely lift and support the vehicle. Drain the differential fluid.
2. Remove the rear driveshaft, axle shafts, and differential cover.
3. Mark the bearing caps for reinstallation in the same orientation.
4. Remove the ring gear carrier assembly and set aside the side bearings and shims.
5. Remove the pinion nut, yoke, and pinion gear. Note the original pinion depth shim thickness.
6. Press or drive the ring gear off the carrier. Clean all mating surfaces.
7. Torque new ring gear bolts to manufacturer spec (typically 115 ft-lb for GM 11.5 inch).
8. Install the new pinion with the correct depth shim. Set pinion bearing preload per specification (typically 15 to 25 in-lb for new bearings).
9. Set carrier side bearing preload and backlash (typically 0.006 to 0.010 inch for this application).
10. Verify contact pattern with gear marking compound before finalizing assembly.
11. Reinstall the differential cover with a fresh gasket or RTV sealant. Fill with correct GL-5 gear oil to the fill hole.
12. Reinstall axle shafts and driveshaft. Perform a short break-in drive and recheck for leaks.

Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.