highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

on the gear set you broke before, who set those up for you? did you do it yourself like you're planning with this set, or was it done by a professional gear installer?

just out of strength of R/P, I believe 4.88s are strongest because there's more steel left intact vs 5.29 and 5.79 gears. strength also comes from how well the gears were setup, and that there isn't slop, etc. check ZUK's website gearinstalls.com for some good tips on gears. Yukon Gear is a good quality. Best bet would be to find a gearset and master install kit, then look up reviews and decide. You don't want to cheap out on gears and setup or you'll be tearing it apart again sooner than later.

you can install whatever gears you want, heck there are people who feel their truck drives fine with stock 4.10 gears and 37s. if you're driving hills or do a decent amount of city/stop and go driving then you'll definitely want lower gears to help move that heavy rubber from a stop. if purely hwy driving then you can usually get away with slightly higher gearing at the expense of not having enough umph at the top end to keep up with traffic, climb a hill, or pass a car, etc. Toss a load in the bed an you're stressing your engine even further. There is a limit though and you can gear too high like everyone is saying. Best bet would probably to stay closer to stock gear ratios and go either 5.29 or 5.71. if you have extra power from many upgrades or an engine swap, then perhaps 4.88 might have enough balls to keep up at the hwy speeds since it has extra torque and hp.

good luck and let us know how it goes!

Stetson_md

You could stick with 5:29s and put bigger tires on it that will give you a higher ratio and more truck swag

Scrussanation

The gears were done by previous owner. He did the entire lift and everything too been thing about removing the body lift upgrading suspension lift but that's different story. I personally think the 5.29 ate the best for off roading I loved the one time I did with them it worked exactly like it should but not for pavement roading non stop

Scrussanation

just a little update.. due to fund availability and transportation I was unable to get my current 3rd set up because lack of tools (expected) but what hurt worse was being unable to get around to work and everything with the 3rd removed.. basically I had the 3rd put back in minus the old drive pinion and sealed the hole so it could still hold fluid.. this went on for about 2 months till I had just enough to buy a used 3rd with the 4.88 gears I wanted in them already, Yukon brand. so I finally got that all done yesterday and installed not Ive got to get my other 3rd fixed as a backup... here the thing I have to ask.. my original 3rd has lockers inside and I haven't done enough research on them to know much about them but can anyone explain some advantages to them?? I'm just glad I can get the original 3rd in the shop without being done the only vehicle we have... I've already got all the bearings and parts to do the 3rd I had originally and was wondering whats a decent price for someone to set them up correctly ready to pop in as a backup??? all parts I already own and only thing that needs to be done is thrown back together minus bearings being pressed as Ive already had those done except for the drive pinion. So far I really like the way the 4.88 feel in my truck... seems to be a lot better as a daily driver compared to my 5.29 gears I had before... next mod I plan to do is the supra 7mge air flow meter... I hear this ones real nice if you calibrate the meter correctly...love my multimeter and knowing how to actually use one lol..also attached some pictures of the old drive pinion out of my original 3rd..

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

I guess I am confused...previously you said you had all the necessary tools...now not?
Lockers = traction
..tons of info on it..search

Scrussanation

we had all the tools at my buddies house, press and everything. but its such a hassle working around his schedule during the winter and being without a 3rd while waiting... just one of those things ya know.. lockers was just a extra question. I just wanted to update this as I left it open as it was unfinished.. Im actually ready to get my original done with the lockers.. I also think the 3rd I got was from a 2wd due to the difference in the 3rd housing...any ways to tell?

Yamiryder

2wd's have a 7.5" ring gear. I forget what years had different thirds or what designates the difference in thirds. You could have gotten a third member from a 4 cyl truck since yours is a V6. 4 cyl have 3 ribs V6 has 4 ribs. 4 cyl is a 2 pinion and v6 is 4 pinion diff.

Scrussanation

ill take some pics of my original and the one i have installed... gotta wait for some daylight lol