1 Fast SS Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 I've been thinking about changing my axle to a 4:10, but I've never done it before. Don't know why freaken GM didn't do one in the first place!! I have the know-how, I use to be a diesel mechanic in the Army. I wouldn't know which would be the best one, or how much they cost just for the gearing. The dealership wanted to charge me $1,800-$2,000 for the swap. I was reading up on Krambo's how-to beaf-up the rear axle, but that's not really changing it. I'm pretty sure that I could handle the install, but the one thing that worries me is setting the back lash. That would drive me crazy. Someone on PT.net did one, but he said that he had change the back lash several times to get it right. Does this sound about right? Anyone did one before that could chime in? Terry Quote
blackbeast ss Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 honestly leave that up to a professional or some one that deals with rear ends. you need some special tools, to measure the backlash and if you dont get the proper pre load or proper tooth pattern it will howl like a dog or whine like straight cut gears which is not good Quote
ssspringer Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 I have a best friend who is a rear end specialist....no ..not a porn star.....but who knows his sh!t on rear ends..no pun intended...maybe i could get you hooked up with him if you wanna get some help! Quote
Fireman31 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Terry if you are gonna switch to a 4.10, you should seriously consider dumping the Eaton G80 while you are in there in favor of a TrueTrac. You are gonna need all the traction help you can get with a 4.10....maybe set of DRs will help you too.....whatever you decide to do, make sure to replace the bearings while in he rear, don't re-use the old ones. If you need parts numbers for the TrueTrac, TA Girdle, and ARP studs, let me know. Quote
ces63ss Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 how about picking up a rear end from a AWD? we have the 4:10 gears in it already. only thing you wuold have to change is the break set-up since early models had disck breaks vs drums. I would if not leave it to the pros like mentioned. Find a hot od shop in vegas and have them price it out. you would be really pissed if you thrashed a set of gears if you dont set them up right. my .02 cents Quote
NebraSSka truck Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 how about picking up a rear end from a AWD? we have the 4:10 gears in it already. only thing you wuold have to change is the break set-up since early models had disck breaks vs drums. I would if not leave it to the pros like mentioned. Find a hot od shop in vegas and have them price it out. you would be really pissed if you thrashed a set of gears if you dont set them up right. my .02 cents Correct me if I a wrong, but I think the 2WD SS trucks have a heavier duty rear axle. Swapping to an AWD axle might spell disaster with all the power going to the rear end. Since the AWD trucks share all that power with the front end GM was able to get away with putting a light duty rear end under the AWD SS. I'm no expert, but changing to 4:10 gears in a 2WD SS seems like it would create a even bigger traction deficit, especially if you plan on making additional power with future mods. Maybe someone else can speak to this and offer up some advice. Quote
blackbeast ss Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Correct me if I a wrong, but I think the 2WD SS trucks have a heavier duty rear axle. Swapping to an AWD axle might spell disaster with all the power going to the rear end.Since the AWD trucks share all that power with the front end GM was able to get away with putting a light duty rear end under the AWD SS. I'm no expert, but changing to 4:10 gears in a 2WD SS seems like it would create a even bigger traction deficit, especially if you plan on making additional power with future mods. Maybe someone else can speak to this and offer up some advice. you are correct. . .RWD SS have a 14 bolt 9.5" rear end which is much larger than the AWD 10 bolt 8.625" rear Quote
1 Fast SS Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Posted January 2, 2009 I know that I'll have more problems with traction, but that's why I have these. The Cal Tracs have helped me alot! But they don't take all the spin away. I still need to get off the line faster, and I'm willing to sacrifice alittle. Anything, and anyone's opinion matters, so I can do the best I can. Anyone know how much the gearing and new bearings would cost? Terry Quote
Fireman31 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) The Cal Tracs have helped me alot! But they don't take all the spin away. I still need to get off the line faster, and I'm willing to sacrifice alittle. Anything, and anyone's opinion matters, so I can do the best I can. Anyone know how much the gearing and new bearings would cost?Terry After some research, this is what I found for 4.10:1 ring and pinion sets..... Motive Gear $200 Richmond Gear $240-$250 Superior Gear $240-250 And if you figure the rest of the parts in if you were to make your rear bullet proof is as follows..... Detroit TrueTrac $550 TA Girdle $180 ARP Bearing Cap Studs $25 Carrier Bearings ~$30 Pinion Bearing ~$20 Synthetic Fluid $30-40 Professional Installation $500-700 All in all it will cost you between $1500 and $2000 to change your ratio and make your rear bullet proof. I recommend proffesional installation so that the proper spacing and backlash can be set. Also, I believe you will need a bearing press for the pinion bearing. Here is my take on this......I wouldn't bother changing the ratio. I know you want to get out of the hole faster, but I don't feel that a 4.10 will help you, it will only make your traction problems worse. Not to mention, a 4.10 is gonna kill your top end. I take it your cam really pulls hard up top, and with a properly matched stall, it will pull even harder, but going to a 4.10 may take some of that away. I feel you will benefit more from a smaller diameter drag radial so that (1) you have less rotating mass, and (2) you have better grip to get out of the hole. Dumping the G80 and going to a better locker like a TrueTrac should help too. Running on street tires doesn't help your traction situation. I run a 28" M&H Racemaster DR, and along with my TrueTrac my 60ft times are almost down to 1.9xx....... Edited January 2, 2009 by Fireman31 (see edit history) Quote
Jond983 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) it's gonna cost almost right at or just over a grand including installation for the swap if you switch the g80 out for the truetrac. it's definitely a mod worth doing in IMO. i have the auburn 4.10s and running heavy ass 22's and 305-40-22 pirellis with caltracs and i launch fairly well. it still spins. i went from a 2.056 60' to a 1.91 60'...i did a few other mods at the same time so it's kinda difficult to really tell how much the gears changed the truck. but once the broke in period was over and that i could finally play with the truck a lil, i realized it was a grand well spent and i agree with you terry 4.10s should have come standard in this truck. edit* and professional installation is a must! Edited January 2, 2009 by Jond983 (see edit history) Quote
04chevyz71 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 i just sold a set of 4.10s front and back with factory g80...alot of guys talked me out of it. your going from 3.73 to 4.10...why spend a grand or two and not really notice anything. Step up to a 4.56 for the same price and defintely feel the difference. this applies for me having 35" tires..just my .02...i dont know if 4.56 would benefit you like it would me. Quote
Jond983 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 i just sold a set of 4.10s front and back with factory g80...alot of guys talked me out of it. your going from 3.73 to 4.10...why spend a grand or two and not really notice anything. Step up to a 4.56 for the same price and defintely feel the difference. this applies for me having 35" tires..just my .02...i dont know if 4.56 would benefit you like it would me. i thought about doing the 4.56 but my truck is my daily driver and i think that would be too much. the 4.10s are a perfect gear and you do notice it coming from a 3.73 Quote
1 Fast SS Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Posted January 3, 2009 All of these ideas are good, and I like the one you said Dan. I guess your right about having it installed by the pro's. It would problable drive me crazy setting the backlash. Maybe one day, when I have the extra cash I could make the change. The one thing that I really need first is a stall, a Zippy shift kit, and then some happy juice! The 4:56 would be alittle to much for the street, but it sure get me out of the hole quick. I sounds good, but I wouldn't want to lose my topend. That's where these trucks really pull hard. Unless one day I get a hair on my butt and deceide to build it for the strip only. I've got an extra set 3:23 guts out of my old 05' GMC sitting in storage if you guys know of anyone who wants trade? It's only got 3000 miles on the gears before the dealership changed it out for me. Quote
blackbeast ss Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 All of these ideas are good, and I like the one you said Dan. I guess your right about having it installed by the pro's. It would problable drive me crazy setting the backlash. Maybe one day, when I have the extra cash I could make the change. The one thing that I really need first is a stall, a Zippy shift kit, and then some happy juice! The 4:56 would be alittle to much for the street, but it sure get me out of the hole quick. I sounds good, but I wouldn't want to lose my topend. That's where these trucks really pull hard. Unless one day I get a hair on my butt and deceide to build it for the strip only. I've got an extra set 3:23 guts out of my old 05' GMC sitting in storage if you guys know of anyone who wants trade? It's only got 3000 miles on the gears before the dealership changed it out for me. i would really recommend the transgo HD2 reprogramming kit instead of the zippy kit, thats what i used to have and switched to the transgo Quote
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