Well, today I finally looked and saw that my truck has a 3.08 diff on it. I was wondering what my choices are to upgrade. Like what are the different sizes you can get, how much of a difference will they make, where can I get them, and how much do they cost?

Thanks

 

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your truck, and what you have as far as drivetrain.

4x2? or 4x4? Tire size? Are you going to be pulling a trailer?

 

You have what are called "highway" gears. They are fine on the highway but when it comes to pulling anything, they suck. You're options for upgrades are: 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56. YOu won't notice much difference going to the 3.55 but you will definetely feel the difference with the 3.73. That is if you stay with the stock tire size. If you plan on increasing tire size, go with the 4.10's. I went from 3.73 stock to 4.56 (or will) because I went to a 35" tire. YOu can get them at randy's ring and pinion, west coast differentials, 4wheel parts, drivetrainwarehouse. It will probably be about 300 per axle without install, give or take a few bucks. Hope this helps. ERic

 

How much does install usually cost?

 

I just got a quote to install my new gears and Limited Slip.
U$ 450 labor out the door (2 days) for my rear axle. You provide all the consumables like bearings, shims, fluid.

Fritz

 

Thinking about going to 3.73s

What do I need to get for a complete install? I look at these webpage but not sure what you actually need.

My truck is two wheel drive.

 

Wow, $450 and two days... I'd keep shopping. The only place local to me charges $150 for installation if you provide everything. As for how long it takes, a mechanic friend and myself installed my 4.30s and Limited slip in about 4 hours and we were really taking our time and ran into a few snags. This shouldn't take more than a couple hours in a properly equipped shop.

As for what else you need, Fritz mentioned the main things. You'll want new pinion bearings, need pinion shims and carrier shims, might want new carrier bearings, might want new pinion nut, crush sleeve, and new fluid. I'd look for a complete install kit that should include everything you need, better to be safe than sorry. Check out somewhere like

http://www.drivetraindirect.com/ and look at their install kits for a better idea.

Another site to look at might be www.drivetrain.com

 

Ok what do these measurements mean? like 9" and 10" and stuff like that when looking and rings and pinions?

Also, if I up from a 3.08 to a 3.73 or even a 4.10 do I have to do anything else? One place said something about taking your engine out of it's powerband and could decress performance.

Seriously, I hardly know anything about mechanics (not even sure if that's how you spell it Guess that's why I won't be installing it myself :P

I kind feel like the people who come on the computer forums and say they don't know anything about computers. I always make fun of them but now I know what they feel like. *shudder*