I've decided to go with new gears before I get nitrous or a cam. Seems like it would give me more results than a cam, and will help with towing too. Should I be going with 4.56 or 4.88 for this big heavy monster (2500 qc 4X4). Also, I've installed gears in 8.8" Mustang rear ends before. Would my rear be the same type of install, or are they totally different inside. And for the front end, what is entailed in getting the axles out. I'm thinking of installing the rears myself, and the fronts if they are similar, or having a shop do the fronts if different. And yes, I have a magnetic dial micrometer!!!! Wrong backlash = eventual bad whiplash.

 

Not sure if a stock carrier will hold a 4.88. I know a 4.56 will go on it. That is the ratio I would use.

 

I don't think anybody makes 4.88 for your rear. They do for the front.

 

How do you expect to get the truck to a shop after you install the rear gears if the front is different? Or vice versa, getting the truck home with the front different than the stock rear gears? I only ask, because that was my dilema before I bought a spare axle off of ebay for $1.25 with 30k miles on it (Yes!! $1.25; I love when they have no reserve!!). Anyway, I might have a shop do the rear axle while its out of the truck, that way all I have to do is setup the front, and bolt in the rear axle. It beats having to setup 2 axles in one weekend.

 

As long as you do not engage the 4wd, you can have whatever gear you want in the front. Some 4wd'ers even do this on purpose and make up for it with different size tires on the front and rear.

I think Yukon has introduced a 4:88.

 

how much do shops charge to install gears front and rear

 

Yeah, if the gears front and back are different, just don't put it into 4wd. Then the front just spins, but it don't connect to the transfer case.

I paid $300 rear, $600 front. Just for the install.

 

Are fronts that much harder than rears to install, to charge you double the price?

 

It's because you have to take everything out of the vehicle to get to the front diff. where as the rear is easy access.

 

the cheapest i have found is 1400 just for install... where are you located?