Ok guys, I had about 2 page comments on this, same problem, different question. Truck is lifted, on 37's, with stock 3.55 gears, I want to go with 4.56, I have 3 people telling me I should, then another handful telling me I shouldnt because if I put in the 4.56 to run smoother, they seem to think it'll be much harder on my transmission, and eventually bust it one way or another with those gears, which I think is ridiculous!! Everyone here seems to be very educated when it comes to these type of things. I want to do the 4.56 after I save up enough, but would love some advice in this situation, 3.55 or 4.56?

 

you are beating your transmission now by running 3.55 gears.Go with the 4.56's or even 4.88's

 

yah switching to 4.56 gears will put LESS stress on the trans, right now as an example for ya, its like if you were driving a standerd and taking off in 2nd or driving around town in 5th, your putting a lot of torque through the trans to turn those tires.....i would like to see somone argue that it changing to 4.56 gears is a bad idea cuz i cant think of any reson not to, excpt fot the cost of switching them its self

 

thats the only down side is the cost but oh well its worth it..

 

Yup.

 

With 37" tires I would definetely go with 4.88's. I know you will find 4.56's to be a dissapointing combintaion for 37" tires. I just recently regeared my truck as well for 37" tires andI went with 5.13's. My truck is a 5.2 and manual tranny and while it had some great torque and low end power it was a bit overgeared. Now that I have 38.5's, the 5.13's are perfect. So I'm telling you off of experience, go with the 4.88's if your going to run 37" tires.

As far as what the lower gears will do goes, they will allow your truck to regain it's power band and torque capabilities. This will help your transmission and the rest of the driveline be "matched".

If you continue todrive with 3.55's and 37" tires, this would be much harder on your driveline than regearing. It puts a big strain on your transmission. It's like riding a bike up a hill...................if you are in the right gear, it is much easier for you to pedal. Put your bike in one of the higher gears and try the hill, and you will quickly get tired and burnt out..................................It's no different for your truck......................the right gearing helps, not hurts.

 

Between 3.55 and 4.56, DEFINITELY the 4.56 gearing. That's what Ive got on my truck and I love the difference it made! The 3.55's that were on there made the truck feel like it had practically no power at all. It worked so hard to get up to speed that it was sometimes embarrassing to drive. Not any more. The 4.56's are allowing the truck to move a lot easier. At first, I was debating on whether or not to get 4.88's because when the 37" tires I have now wear out, I might go to a 38" tire. The problem with the 4.88's was that 4wheelparts told me that the gears for the rear were on permanent backorder and I couldn't get them for the front with the axle I have. The largest I was going to be able to get was the 4.56 so that's where I'm at now. In my opinion after driving on 37" tires with 4.56 gearing, I think the 4.88's would have been a little too low for the highway, but would have been great for around town. As for staying with the stock 3.55's, not even a question, get the 4.56's. Your engine and tranny will thank you...

 

Thanks a lot guys, you definately make me feel better about changing the gear when I eventually get the $ to. A few say 4.56 and 4.88, I dont want to doubt anyones knowledge/intelligence, but now you got me on the fence as to 4.56 or 4.88, is 4.88 really the better way to go? Looks like it from the guys who spoke out of experience.

Again thank you all very much! Im going to go tell a few people where im going to shove my old gears at once I replace them.

 

i dont rember do you have a 5.2 or a 5.9....other thing you can do is email ive been talking to these guys lots and they seam to know a lot http://www.ringpinion.com/they prob know more about gears than just about anyone on here including myself (no offence) see what they say, see what most pepole with your set up say to them, personally id say go with the 4.46 ulsess you go offroading quite a bit but i dont have personal experince so im just going on what ive herd/read

 

i'll give the an email, thanks! And I have a 5.9