i am currently running the factory 4.88 gears in my 90 v6 toy pickup. i want to go with 5.29's but i hear that you can't swap gears with the factory 4.88's. is that true?

if so can i swap in another third member to my current axle housing?? and which one is swapable?

also anyone know where i can get a complete geared 3rd member just ready to install???


Thanks!

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...-few-s-161361/

found after a quick search...

 

You cannot re-gear the factory 4.88 diff. But any other 3rd will drop in.

Marlin sells fully built thirds..

 

That's true, for the rear anyway.

 

the front can be regeared??

 

Yes...

 

I personally don't think it's worth the effort to re-gear to 5.29's when you already have 4.88's. You will be disappointed.

 

Are you sure you have factory 4.88s? I just saw you have a 5 speed, the factory 4.88s only came with auto trannies (with a 31" tire package).

 

Interesting. What makes you say that? There A LOT of people (ZUK comes to mind) that run 5.29's and are very satisfied. 5.71's are a different story.

Maybe he swapped trannies, Dale.

 

Why not? Running 5.29's and 33" tires would be great. You will get a considerable increase in low end/speed power. The only time they would suck would be fast hwy crusing.
If I don't swap a v8 into my truck, I will be going that route....

 

yes i swapped both out to the auto diffs about a year ago.. so i'm sure they are 4.88's..

35's a 3vze and 4.88's just aren't cutting it... its a dog.. any upgrade and i have to downshift..

 

i'm running 35's.....

what gear ratio do i go with then 5.71??? damn this POS 3.slow... is the 3.4 swap really that much of an upgrade? Anyone???

 

why? is it not that big a difference? i'm running 35's and its OK on flat ground. but any sort of a hill and its a dog.. sometimes have to go to 3rd or even 2nd gear if its a really steep upgrade... not even towing! just with an Atv in the bed.. no passengers.. thats pretty pathetic...

 

I went from 4.88s to 5.71s, I loved them. That was the only time I thought the 3.slow wasn't under powered.

 

Obviously you have never regeared one step before. I went 4.56 to 4.88 and it was NIGHT AND DAY. If I had known I would be moving to CO though, I would have gone 5.29 - need a little more oomph here at altitude.

Azusa - going to 5.29 will elmiinate most of your downshift issues by keeping the RPM's in the power band. Note that 1 step in gearing is about 200-300 RPM at highway speed - enough to get you back into the powerband.

All that said, you have 35's now - think you will go 37's later? If so, just do the 5.71's now and be done. NOTE: setup on 5.29/5.71 is VERY critical as there are only 7 teeth on the pinion - not much room for error to get proper engagement. You definitely want to have someone who knows what they are doing (*cough*ZUK*cough*) setup the gears.

 

cool thanks for the input. i'll just go with the 5.71's...

Anyone know about the 3.4? is it really that significant of a difference.. in power. gas mileage i'm sure it is but is the power a HUGE improvement? i don't really want to do this swap if its still going to be a basic upgrade.. if its not that big of a difference i'll prob go with the 4.6 swap. any insights on either of these??

 

It's enough of a difference that you would not have to regear... 4.88's is actually a little overgeared for a 3.4L with 35's ...

 

that sounds good. i think i've been in 5th gear once in the past year. and that was downhill with the wind behind me.. lol.. seriously i havent used 5th gear for years. i stay in 3rd or 4th all the time.. sucks.. i contacted ZUK. saw his website too.. damn looks like he is SUPER perfect when it comes to gears.. mic'ing everything checking and rechecking.. my drag racing engine builder does the same thing.. really thinking about the 3.4 swap.. anyone know of any shops that can do at least the wiring here in Socal? that seems like the hardest part of it..

 

I went from 4.10's to 4.88's and of course that helped. I'm still running 4.88's with 37's and I'm pleased with the performance, even with a 22re.

I'll say it again, 4.88's to 5.29's aren't going to be worth it when you factor in buying the gears and then having somebody set them up (as opposed to just finding stock 4.88's and just bolting them in - very easy way to re-gear)

Now if you go straight to 5.71's then that's a different story. I never personally ran them but the very debatable strength factor would always be in the back of my head (even after Zuk's theory)