Hi all,

I recently changed my gears from 3.55 to 4.10 to improve towing. I have 245 tires at 30" tall. I want to dial back a bit to 3.90 or maybe even 3.73 (damn, I wish I could try before I buy!). I paid $800 to do it not long ago but I sure as hell ain't gonna do that again. I'm good with mechanics but never did a ring/pinion mainly due to the tools. I've done things like assemble Chevy engines (big muscle car nut from eons ago), tune ups, brake rebuilds, etc. So I can theoretically handle it.

My biggest question is what tools are necessary and where do you get them! I have read many sites that give different names for "pullers" and "presses". Some indicate the press can also pull, etc. I have no idea what they're talking about. Is there an actual part I can go buy at Autozone? Did anyone rent the appropriate tools at a tool rental place? Are there any good substitute tools for those things?

The rest I understand are feeler gauges and the like which are easier for me since I have a lot of that stuff, but the more gear-specific tools I don't know where to start.

Also, for those who have done it with only a moderate amount of mechanical knowledge, how hard was it to do? Any tips for a gear newbie?

Thanks a mill!
Matt

why don't you like the new gearing? how did it affect your mpg?

2800 rpm about 60mph is annoying. I'd rather get less wear/tear. Probably not a huge issue, but I'd prefer it. Went from 11.75 mpg (which has been for the life of the truck) to 10.88. Not a huge diff.

I'm assuming that is with OD locked off. How much do you tow? If it isn't a whole lot of weight (read: OVER rated capacity) you can probably tow in OD with that higher gear ratio. I currently run 4.10's on a 265x70x16 tire and I love it.

wow, thats revving. that in OD?
I can see how it would be great towing at capacity, but not as a daily driver.

Best of luck.

I'd run it off a cliff if that was in OD ;-) That is in 3rd but OD is tricky with towing my 5000 lb trailer. I did fix a problem with my air intake which was really reducing power so next time I take out the trailer I'll see how it goes. Probably 1800 in OD.

I wouldn't tow in overdrive if pulling more than 2000 lbs

Buy taller tires, (265)that will reduce final drive ratio.

You sound pretty good to me though.

Getting time and money together to do my own....

As far as I know the only special tool you NEED is this

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc6602.html

You can try to make one I guess.

Other stuff that isn't sooooo special (as is they should be easy to come by)

Press

Bearing Splitter

Dial Indicator

Standard hand tools

Everything else is stuff you should have access to.

Curious... what are your RPM's with OD on @ 75mph?