3.55 dif upgrade?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 277
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From: San Rafael, NM
3.55 dif upgrade?
Any one know how hard it would be to move up to a higher ratio from a 3.55 rear diff in my 2001 2wd 4.2 XL. Can I keep the original case? Needed due to power lost after lift and larger tires. Will I still be able to use after detroit locker?
Not the end of the world if I can't, the trade off will be lesser gas mileage. Just something I thinkin I want to do.
PS I have the 8.8 rg axle I believe.
Not the end of the world if I can't, the trade off will be lesser gas mileage. Just something I thinkin I want to do.
PS I have the 8.8 rg axle I believe.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
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From: La Tech University, La
3.55 dif upgrade?
Parts are easy enough to come by, 8.8s are common take out the driveshaft (i.e. u-joint,yoke, pull out of tranny) Take cover off, let drain, pull out C-clips, see if you have enough play to pull the axle out far enough without working on the brakes. It is all right there, no problems with using a Locker, I would suggest a limited slip though for street use unless you are going to push over 500 horsies. LIs rie alot better than the rough clicking from a locker.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: San Rafael, NM
3.55 dif upgrade?
clown926-
I went with the 3.5" fabtech. http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/ Dont just get the spindle lift, you'll want the extra travel provided by the kit. This allowed me to go with the 285/75 R16 tires. You can put bigger tires on but then you'll have less room for suspension travel and only gain minimal ground clearence. I have plenty of suspension travel. I have heard some other users recommend others but I like Fabtech's because of the forged materisls and have had no problems. The blue color looks sharp with the white truck too.
With the switch from 255 tires you'll move up 5 inches in hieght. I would stay away from the larger lift and tires because the tires seem to get much more expensive after 285 size. I believe the factory recommended up to a 305 size tire but I can't quite remember. The 305/70 R16 is the same height as the 285/75 R16 but about an inch wider. May require minimal trimming of the front valance to prevent rubbing but no big deal, they are just much more expensive. The Cooper tires and most of the others recommend a 7.5 inch minimum tire width but the 7 inch width works fine on mine. My brother in law is running the same size tire on his Chevy with 16X6.5" rims and has put them through a abusive off road test with no problems.
I went with the 3.5" fabtech. http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/ Dont just get the spindle lift, you'll want the extra travel provided by the kit. This allowed me to go with the 285/75 R16 tires. You can put bigger tires on but then you'll have less room for suspension travel and only gain minimal ground clearence. I have plenty of suspension travel. I have heard some other users recommend others but I like Fabtech's because of the forged materisls and have had no problems. The blue color looks sharp with the white truck too.
With the switch from 255 tires you'll move up 5 inches in hieght. I would stay away from the larger lift and tires because the tires seem to get much more expensive after 285 size. I believe the factory recommended up to a 305 size tire but I can't quite remember. The 305/70 R16 is the same height as the 285/75 R16 but about an inch wider. May require minimal trimming of the front valance to prevent rubbing but no big deal, they are just much more expensive. The Cooper tires and most of the others recommend a 7.5 inch minimum tire width but the 7 inch width works fine on mine. My brother in law is running the same size tire on his Chevy with 16X6.5" rims and has put them through a abusive off road test with no problems.
