i just bought an 8.8 with 3.55, i was told by a mechanic friend of mine to go to 4.10s that i cud go to junkyard, pull the 410 cradle out with shims and it would go stright into my axle, is that true???? or is this gunna be more costly?

 

in all honesty, it would be easier to just buy the entire axle. yes the 4.10 carrier will fit in your axle, but you will also need the pinion, and than to install it you will need new bearings, new pinion crush sleave, seal, and shims for the carrier and pinion. on top of that you need to know how to set gears (set backlash and gear mesh) which requires special measuring tools and alot of patience.

 

yeah it'd go straight in your axle. but how well does it mesh? how far off is your backlash? it's a waste of money since you'll be out a gear install cost, thus ruining anything you gained by getting that new axle. told ya to find a 4.10 8.8.

 

Agreed, I would not just throw it in your axle without at least checking the backlash and gear mesh. If you want to do it right then I would also replace the bearings, races, pinion seal, and pinion nut.

 

This seems dumb.. so you just got a 8.8 axle from a junkyard with 3.55's... and now you're goona go back to a junkyard to find a 8.8 axle with 4.10 gears so you can take them out and put in the axle you already bought..... think about that for a second.. WTF!!!

 

i bought the axle for 50 bux, with 67,000 miles on it, and was told that if the shims and gears could be removied form an axle at a junkyard for 36 bux, so i was thinkin easily that i could have an 8.8 with 4.10s for 85 bux, but my buddy is an awesome mechanic, so ill talk with him about it some more before fridays install