Let me start off by saying I'm running 33 inch tires in stock gears. The problem I have with my truck right now is I do not have any power going up hills. I will lose speed badly. I had been wondering if I needed to go to a Weber and a header but now I'm thinking maybe I need to re-gear to 4.88s to push my 33s.

The other thing I read on a Pirate thread was that my clutch could be going out. Lately I have noticed a very slight burning smell sometimes after driving the truck. I also replaced the clutch fluid a couple months ago.

Thoughts?

 

Is this new, or has it always been this way? I mean if you've been doing fine until just recently, even though yeah, you should regear, there's obviously something else going on.

The typical things are: check for plugged cat or otherwise restricted exhuast. Make sure the ebrake isn't dragging. Make sure the timing is on. Check for vacuum leaks. See if your plugs are fouled. When was the last tuneup (plugs, wires, cap & rotor)? Carb tuned?

You'd notice your clutch slipping if, as you were accelerating up the hill, your rpms were going up as you were losing speed. Basically the engine spinning faster but not getting the power to the tranny. Similar to the feeling of the back tires slipping on snow. Rpms shoot up, but you aren't getting anywhere...

 

Always been this way. Its not very bad when I have no weight in the truck but If pull a very mall trailer with a mower or something its just awful going up a hill.

- I just set the timing to 5 degrees (checked it really)

- Cap, rotor, plugs were all done last fall

- Don't believe I have nay vacuum leaks, trucks runs smooth.

- E-brake is one thing to check.

- When going up a hill my rpms go down with the speed so I guess the clutch is working.

 

Personally I'd advance the timing a little.

In Montana, with mountain passes, I'd be going 45mph in 3rd gear often. That was with 30x9.50s.

So I would guess that 90% of your problems are the stock gears and 33s.

 

I priced two sets of TG 4.88s and master install kits for $625.96 at 4wheelparts.com, $13 cheaper than ordering straight from TG and you get free shipping.

 

I'm Lucky if i can do 60 going uphill in my 83. Recently replaced cracked block after having the original one rebuilt, and rebuilt my transmission after previous owner had it rebuilt and the person that rebuilt it installed the couple between the transfer case and the transmission backwards.
Have had a webber carb installed on one of our 83's and it makes the truck a whole lot peppier.

 

Its the tires thats slowing you down.

488 and a weber would be great.

Check out the junk years and craigslist and find two rear 488s 3rds. This will be a cheaper way to go.

You can check davez yota yard in denver as well. They will ship

 

I have been looking at 3rd members assemblys online. Are they easy to install?

 

A completely set up differential is easy to install.

You just detach the brake line from each side and cap them off so you don't lose all your fluid, take off the tires, then I think it's just four bolts and you can slide the axles out.

Rear driveshaft unbolts from the rear diff, then take all the bolts off the front of the diff. With some persuasion, it'll pull out.

Then reverse, after putting some gasket maker stuff on there.

 

Early 90's forerunners have the same gear ratio I need I'm trying to find out what their spline count is the see if I can do a direct swap.