here is my dilemma: the rear end in my truck has started howling, so i know its time for a rebuild...my truck is an '03 screw w/ an 8.8 rear end..i want to install 4.88's however i was told that it is not recommended to put 4.88's in an 8.8... I would like to swap my rear end for a 975, which i can get for about $500, but by the time i put the gears in that, i'll probably be looking at around $800 bucks! With money being tight right now ( I just lost my job, mortage payment is #1 priority!!) I would like to make the most cost effective decision. so i guess my question is, would i be okay running 4.88's in my 8.8 until i can comfortably afford to do a 975 swap? or am i better off just doing the swap right now? thanks in advance!!

 

In your situation, I would rebuild it as cheap as possible, which would probably be OEM parts.

 

your 8.8 should be fine with 4.88's

 

^exactly. I doubt you will have any problems from the 8.8 unless you have a supercharger and like to put your foot in it.

 

Gears for $300?
And if you do swap to 9.75, they can be had for far less than $500.
I just sold a 9.75 with 3.55 LS and full disc brakes with only 10k miles for $300 a few months back.

Why do you want 4:88 gears?

 

The few places that I have called so far have told me $500-$600 for the rear end...with gears and labor for the install, I'm estimating it do be around $800...I still need to shop around a little bit more...

I'm running 37's on my truck, thats why I want to go with 4.88's...the 4.56's that are in it right now were perfect for the 35's I was running prior to getting the 37's...

 

well ill buy your rear end tonight if ya wanna sell it!

 

well parts wont cost you $800, i rebuilt my 8.8 rear in my mustang with 4.10s and spent no were near close to that. if 1500 hpwr mustangs can take the abuse with rear end so will a truck.

 

Gunna have to throw a BS flag on that one. No way you have a 8.8 on a 1500 horsepower mustang, and if you did it wouldnt last. A 5.4 with a supercharger will blow a 8.8 to pieces if you put your foot in it. Just ask klitch, because he has gone through a bunch of them. I would imagine that a 1500 horse power mustang would disintegrate a 8.8.

 

I'm Supercharged and I'm running an 8.8 with 4.56's....no problems here....I think you should be fine with 4.88's

 

my old 97 f150 with the 8.8 had 4.88s and a detroit locker turning 38x15.5s and the truck is going on 4 years now and the guy that owns it now beats the hell out of her and no problems... so IMO 4.88 will be fine in a 8.8

 

I thought all screws came with 9.75"?

 

You could put 1500 horsepower through an 8.8 without destroying it, but DEFINITELY not for under $800. To handle that it would involve welded tubes, 33 spline axles, c-clip eliminators, high dollar spool and gears, ect, ect. all high dollar stuff. I am looking to maybe do a 9.75 swap eventually too. I wanna swap to 4.10s to help with towing on 33s. I may stick with the 8.8 unless I found a good deal on a 9.75

 

What he said, unles your gonna tow or somthing like that..... but just big tires, ur fine

 

mmmm not sure, but mine has an 8.8....maybe the 4x4 crews do