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Changing gears

Old Jun 8, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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Changing gears

Well I decided to change to 4:30s from my 3:73s in my 2001 V10. This will raise max fiver weight from 10,500 to 13,500lbs. I'm pulling a 10K 5th wheel. it's going in Thursday and heading out Friday for the weekend. Looking forward to it.

Trying to spread the pain so I'm getting the rears done now and fronts done later in the fall. Not going to need the 4x4 till winter. Of course I'll get them to disconnect the transfer case switch so I won't accidently make that terrible mistake.

I'll give a tow report next week.

S
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 10:54 AM
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You could also just pull the front driveshaft.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Krewat
You could also just pull the front driveshaft.
Excellent point. I'll mention it to them. I'm thinking maybe they could just pull the plug off the transfer case.

S
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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You shouldn't tow immediately after installing new gears. It's recommended you do 500 miles of short trips (20 miles) with no load, change fluid, then go another 1000 miles or so before towing.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by cartmanea
You shouldn't tow immediately after installing new gears. It's recommended you do 500 miles of short trips (20 miles) with no load, change fluid, then go another 1000 miles or so before towing.
Glad you beat me to it...
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 12:48 PM
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Shoot!!

Even just a 40 mile return trip with no hills?

It'll take me over 3 months to put 500 miles on the truck.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:15 PM
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I wouldn't chance it. Towing puts more load on the gears and they already get really hot when first wearing in and polishing the contact surfaces. Now I do suppose it will depend on how heavy you are towing, but still, not worth it with the cost of a gear install. If the first drive is over 10-20 miles after putting the gears in, stop every 10-20 miles and let the differential cool down so you don't burn the fluid.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:37 PM
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I agree with the others...no towing till the gears/ bearings are broke-in properly. Maybe remove the rear drive shaft and baby it home fwd?
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by spud57
Well I decided to change to 4:30s from my 3:73s in my 2001 V10. This will raise max fiver weight from 10,500 to 13,500lbs. I'm pulling a 10K 5th wheel. it's going in Thursday and heading out Friday for the weekend. Looking forward to it.

Trying to spread the pain so I'm getting the rears done now and fronts done later in the fall. Not going to need the 4x4 till winter. Of course I'll get them to disconnect the transfer case switch so I won't accidently make that terrible mistake.

I'll give a tow report next week.

S
I know you're in a different state but what did ot cost for the swap. I am running the same truck and have wondered what the cost is for the gears upgrade.......
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 02:01 PM
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Hi Mike,

Actually I'm in another country, Canada.

Haven't got them done yet. I supposed to get them done Thursday but I plan to go camping this weekend so I'm probably going to wait till next week.

For the rear the parts are going to be around $500 plus about 4-5 hours labour.

I'll update the thread when I have them done.

S
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 02:06 PM
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That's kind of what I was thinking. My truck has 160,000 miles and I might replace it next year so it is hard to justify spending a lot of cash......I am excited to hear the results and have some "real life" opinions of the change.
 
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