truck is a 04 reg cab with a 3.0 and 8.8' rear. Currently has 4.10 now. I have my lift, wheels and tires ready to be installed now all im waiting on is rear end. I drive 300+ miles a week with 40% interstate. I dont wont the truck taching out at 75-80 while on the interstate but at the same time I wont descent mileage and pulling power. Im leaning towards 4.88 since most guys with 33's run 4.56.

wheels are alum, american racing 15x8
tires are 35/12.50/15 summit mud dawgs.

 

best way to figure this out is with some basic math...

stock im not sure what tire size you have. 30s? lets go with 30s for my example...

35 / 30 = 1.16666
stock gear ratio is 4.10

1.16666666 x 4.10 = 4.788

so pick the closest gear ratio to 4.788 which is 4.88s so you are correct on your choice. that will feel the closest for factory.


you wont tach out at 75-80 btw.

 

Talk to RazorsEdge. If I remember correctly he ran 4.88s with 35s and the 3.0 before the SAS and he might be still running them now actually.

 

Thanks for that "basic math"..lol

what brand do you guys recommend? Is it necessary to buy a rebuild kit with only 50k miles?

 

Yukon.
Home. Cheapest place I've found 'em. (hat tip to Beard!)

 

Drivetrain Specialists East Coast Gear Supply

They will price match anyone as well and have awesome customer service.

 

go with 4.88's forsure! maybe even 5.13's for a little extra bottom end.. you'' be surprised how heavy those 35's are!

 

We 98+ 4x4's can't go any deeper than 4.88 in our front axle. boo. lol. Doesn't bother me...that 4.88 front pinon gear is TINY!!

 

Mines a 2WD

Still think I will stick with 4.88's. Found a mechanic who will install them for $150 on the side. seems like a good deal to me.

 

yup...that's what I paid per axle labor.

 

Think i will need an installation kit or is it up to the installer? believe he said something about a new pinion seal...

 

Talk to your installer. It'll likely end up being cheaper if you do buy the combo kit(gears + full installation kit) than it would be for him to buy the parts then charge you for them. There were some parts I needed that I didn't buy earlier, but he wrote them off because I had two axles for him to gear, plus I brought him customers in the past.

 

minimal you need a minor install kit, that comes with shims, pinion nut, crush sleeve, pinion seal, and marking compound.

you shouldnt need to replace the bearings but sometimes if the installer has to remove and install them multiple times to get it shimmed correctly they will need replaced.

 

so this one will work?
FORD 8.8- Mini Installation kit

 

8.8's don't have shims between the carrier and bearing like Dana axles, Beard. But I know you knew that. hehe.


Hey Jason, how many miles on your truck? It might be worth the extra $50 to just go for the master kit and you'd have a fully rebuilt axle in the end. I know my installer always uses new carrier bearings in a rear axle gear install. Might be a good time to upgrade to a limited slip if you're open. You'd basically saving yourself the same install cost later down the road.

 

See what happens when you do too many SAS swaps..lol

 

Jason...check my above post...i edited it a little.

Here's exactly what I ordered..completeoffroad 8.8 package deal(yukon gears + yukon master install kit) : FORD 8.8" GEAR & INSTALL KIT PACKAGE DEAL 4.88

 

actually i didnt remember that. you still have a shim for the bearing on the pinion though.

idk i have done 3-4 gear installs on 8.8s way back when but i couldnt remember for sure. now i just take 8.8s and throw them in the scrap hopper.

 

Mine is open right now....this budget lift is going out the window
TRAC LOK POSITRACTION FORD 8.8" 28 SPLINE
This all I need if i go that route. truck will never be drivin off road so dont need any kind of locker

 

Summit's cheaper....by quite a bit. And getting it to you is only $10 too.

Ford Racing M-4204-F288 - Ford Racing Traction-Lok Differentials - Overview - SummitRacing.com


You understand why it's such a good idea to go ahead and do this right? lol. You gotta pay for a gear setup anyway when doing gears or a carrier install...it's like hitting two birds with one stone(gears + LS). It's just smarter to take advantage if you can afford it. Just throwing ideas out there ya know?

 

There is no such thing as a budget lift if you do it right. Something unexpected always comes up.

 

Summit is right by the house to...looks like its on back order til January though. I do believe i will go ahead and upgrade this as well.. Good thinking

 

Talked to a reputable mustang shop about my gear swap. He told me anything lower than a 4.10 will whine a tad due to the pinion angle...this sound right?

 

I don't remember having any gear whine/noise with 4.88s but I also only had a body lift.

 

say what? lol

this is news to me. I have 5.13s and no gear whine. Even when I had 4.56s in my 8.8 I didnt have gear whine.