33" 's VS 35" 's and BFG AT's VS MT's ?

[Col_Sanders]

I am thinking 33" MT's would look good, I heard my truck would feel gutless with 35s? I really dont want to regear...

Gutless? Its a big truck, not a sports car!




I can say nothing. I had a built 350 with Edelbrock everything and it wasnt enough for me. We'll see how the 383 does.

 

[AFUFO]

Take your toolbox, get under the rear . Take the cover off (12 bolts, hence "12 bolt rearend").. Look on the biggest ring gear (it will come bowing out towards you).. try and find numbers on the flat side sticking out towards you. If you find
41 - 15
Thats the same as mine..that means you have 2.73 axle gears.. Divide the 1st number(41 in this case) by the second and that will give you your ratio

2.73 blows for stock 29.5s or 31s.. im on 35s with it. If you have 3.42 or 3.73 or higher..(doubt it) youll be fine. If you have 2.73s be gentle with it and always wheel in low specially since your old carbed engine wont have much power. I even run 2wd low(i dont lock hubs) on grass or moving it around the yard/driveway..just to releive the engine/trans.

Also buy some GL-5 differential/gear oil if you have a limited slip, to refill the differential. (You have a repair book dont you?). GL-5 is for limited slips. If i remember right i used 80w90 gear oil on my truck with GL5.

Check the RPO codes in the glovebox if they came in that early of model.. G80 i think would be gov-lock(limited slip, needs gl5). It is in my moms 98 Z71 another guy on CK5 told me about it.

 

[m1ndless]

Hmm, I thought I was running 3.09, I need to check.

 

[AFUFO]

Better than my 2.73... =P

Should still do ok on 33s with 3.09 just may want to wheel in low and be easy on the gas pedal.

 

[m1ndless]

I have to check it out then, thanks.

 

[m1ndless]

So I was thinking 3.73 gears maybe? How hard are they to install? How many hours of labor would it be if I had a mexhanic do it?

 

[mini_mull]

If you're thinking about regearing, I'd make sure you knew what tire size you want first. Maybe get the tires, make sure you're happy with the size, then regear. Regearing is not cheap or simple (not that you can't do it, it'd just be silly to regear for a tire size your not completely happy with).

http://www.4lo.com/calc/geartable.htm

You can also use their gear ratio calculator to find out your exact rpms with your drivetrain.

Lots of guys swap axles rather than gears if the axle and ratio you want is readily available. It can end up being cheaper and easier. Just an option to look into.

 

[m1ndless]

Hmm, I have alot to think about then, once I finish my exhaust and painting it and putting a decent stereo in it, I will do new tires and such.

 

[Snow-Hog]

with a 4" lift and 35s they will hit your fenders unless you cut the fender out. 33s barley clearence also i dont know how much on pavment driving you do but you might look into a mickey thompson Baja Claw which are probably more expensive but that is what im gonna get for my offroad set of tires. just a thought

 

[m1ndless]

I heard baja claws suck for what I want to do though, and yeah they are too expensive, I am probably goign with AT's or MT's, not sure yet. I do alot of water off roading, so I think MTs might work better, and a few people said MT's will work good in the desert, but might dig me a hole with their huge tread..

 

[AFUFO]

well if your thinking about regearing later on, make sure you pop the cover off to see what you already have..heck you might even have 3.73s wasnt that an option guys?

 

[m1ndless]

As far as I know, they did ALOT of work to the truck before I bought it, I am just not sure.

 

[mini_mull]

You could have 'em. C'mon, bust open that cover and kill the suspense.

 

[m1ndless]

I am at work right now! I will tomorrow morning.

 

[AFUFO]

remember, dont drive it once you pop the cover untill you re-fill the differential fluid...

 

[m1ndless]

I know.

How do I refil the fluid?

 

[AFUFO]

Dunno about a 12 bolt... but with my 10 bolt, when your behind the truck facing the tailgate.. its on the right side of the differential in front of the axle housing. Hope i described that right..10 bolts just fillup half way.

 

[AFUFO]

oh i used a 5/8s ratchet with an extension..it fits right in!!!! no socket or attachment needed!


btw
go buy a haynes or similer general repair book..it will help you out

It wont tell you how to rebuild engines or trans...not too much detail...as i said, its a general repair book.

 

[m1ndless]

I was looking at those at autozone, they are like 25 bucks, but I am sure it will be worth it.

 

[AFUFO]

You can find them cheaper than that, im sure.. Im pretty sure walmart wont have them though =(. Try summit, jegs.. eBay works great too.. they have new and used books if you check at the right time. Dont want to buy used? Your just going to have that oil fly all onto the pages anyway..

Check around see if you can find it for 15-20.. Maybe try barns and nobile?