Axle / Gear ratio Question

[ntx78k5]

78K5 350 TH350 with I believe the 208 Full time 4x4 transfer case. I have a 4" lift and 35 mud terrains.

I have 342 Gears and as you can imagine, Its a dog on the road and in the wind. Does great in the mud and the trails, never had it on the rocks nor do I plan on it.

Is it cheaper to upgrade to used 3/4 or 1 ton axle's with a better ratio or should I just upgrade what I have to 4:11's? I've checked on the gear swap and for both its around $1500-$1800 from the shops i've found in the DFW area.

I know used axle's can be a risk but what should I look for ?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[grape]

i'm in the area, can do the gear swap for half that including parts and make good money. That's a rediculous price. Labor is usually 200 per end....doing both ends somebody should charge 300 total for 150 per end, plus parts. that's robbery

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

1 tons are expensive and unless you are going with less than a 38" or do rock crawling (which you said you don't), don't bother. It is viable to switch to 3/4 ton axles with 4.10, they are easy to find and cheap. Just replace the normal stuff (ball joints, etc) and switch to 8 lug wheels. BTW, you have a 203 t-case and you really should change gears, high gears with big tires destroys automatic transmission.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

i'm in the area, can do the gear swap for half that including parts and make good money. That's a rediculous price. Labor is usually 200 per end....doing both ends somebody should charge 300 total for 150 per end, plus parts. that's robbery

R&P usually run ~$200, Bearings and seals ~$100 and the average labor I have seen is $3-400 per axle. That puts it at $1200-1400, which is pretty expensive. If you take it to a 4WD shop they want a lot to change gears. I have always done my own, though.

 

[grape]

R&P usually run ~$200, Bearings and seals ~$100 and the average labor I have seen is $3-400 per axle. That puts it at $1200-1400, which is pretty expensive. If you take it to a 4WD shop they want a lot to change gears. I have always done my own, though.

i'm in the wrong business, all the gear swaps i've seen charged for on cars is 150-200 and people bitch about that labor charge. Not to mention the look on the guys face at most places when you ask to see their case spreader for doing Dana corp rear ends and they want to charge 400 bucks, no thanks with some monkey beating the carrier shims in with a hammer.

 

[ntx78k5]

i'm in the area, can do the gear swap for half that including parts and make good money. That's a rediculous price. Labor is usually 200 per end....doing both ends somebody should charge 300 total for 150 per end, plus parts. that's robbery

If I go to 4:11 what are parts costs ?

 

[grape]

usually a yukon gear set is 150-180 and an install kit with all bearings seals and shims is under or right at $100.

 

[ntx78k5]

email me at [email protected] so I can contact you. I am looking to get this done in June.

 

[ntx78k5]

Grape

Anyone know how to contact this guy Grape. I am ready to get the gears swapped out and was hoping to reach this guy.

 

[grape]

sorry, I've been super busy, I'm going to send you an e-mail tonight.