2 Questions- 1. New Gear Break In 2. Spare Tire

brad519 · August 30, 2010

Ok perhaps the wrong section but here goes.

Gear Break In

Gears are currently being installed. I'm sure the gear guy will tell me what to do about breaking them in but wanted some opinions from the "experts"

From what I have gathered drive under 60 first 15-20 miles then let gears cool for 30 minutes. Keep it under 60 for the 1st 500 miles and change gear oil at 500. No towing for 1st 500 also. Is this right? Is there anything else?

spare tire question.

When I first had my lift installed I ran my stock wheels on a 275/70/18 tire so I'm thinking my original spare wheel will work with the new lift. Does anyone see a reason it wouldn't it is a 17 inch wheel though. And I what is a decent cheap tire in 17" that is close to the same size as my 305/70/18 MT's?

Would there be a problem getting a tire not exactly the same size and using my spare wheel? I would try to find a 17" as close to 35x12.2 to match the 305's but not a MT. I carry a can of fix-a-flat and tire plugs with me but one day I may need a spare. Suggestions???

[email protected] · August 30, 2010

For the gears, just basicly no harsh driving right away. Wot pulls, spinning tires, and stuff like that is a no, no. I'd wait until 1000 or so miles to change the diff fluid, though. As far as the spare, get the closest height to your tires that will still fit under there.

Zembonez · August 30, 2010

If new gears are set up properly there aren't many things you can do to hurt them. Changing the gear oil at 500 or 1000 miles might be a good idea, but otherwise drive it.

Stevens03 · August 30, 2010

Change the gear oil after 500 miles, and you'll be golden. 2 things to think about with your spare. Overall diameter and the correct offset for your lift. If you can achieve both, your good. Otherwise, you'll have issues. You can't run different overall diameter tires left to right unless it's the front with a 2wd.

brad519 · August 30, 2010

Does anyone know the offset of the stock 17" spare rim??

Is it the same as the stock 18's?

lbkthree · August 31, 2010

I just had my gears installed. They told me since I went with OEM gears (AAM) the only thing I shouldn't do was tow. They told me give it about 100 miles. Jim is right though, if they are installed properly there isn't much that can hurt them.

Spare tire... Don't know.

brad519 · August 31, 2010

Got the gears in and the guy who installed them said he heated them and cooled them after install. Said nothing special was needed. Don't tow for 1st 250 and don't wot. Said I could bring it back in at 500 for gear oil but it wouldn't kill it if I didn't. I plan on doing it though

Didn't have the tuner set for the new gears and speedo was way off. I think the tuner fixed it but will have to check with gps.

Thanks for the replies guys.

herkdriver007 · August 31, 2010

I would change it after 500, just to make sure everything is okay and there are no metal shavings present. Plus its cheap peace of mind...

FarmerDave · September 1, 2010

I have used my spare with the lift installed, cleared no problem. And RC says you have to use a 18"wheel, apparently not true for the spare.

J-man67 · September 1, 2010

I heat cycled my gears a few times and changed the fluid at 500. Now I am 1000 miles since install and nothing but smiles. I love them!

Just try to get something close as far as the spare goes. Also, if you get a flat in the rear, swap a good tire from the front and use the spare on the front only. A size difference in the rear may mess with the TrueTrac as the smaller tire will be turning more times trying to keep up with the larger tire.

brad519 · September 1, 2010

I have used my spare with the lift installed, cleared no problem. And RC says you have to use a 18"wheel, apparently not true for the spare.

Did you use the spare tire that came with the truck or just the spare wheel?

If you just used the wheel what size tire did you put on the spare wheel?

I'm thinking it would be tough to drive with 3- 35" tires and 1-31" tire.

brad519 · September 1, 2010

I heat cycled my gears a few times and changed the fluid at 500. Now I am 1000 miles since install and nothing but smiles. I love them!

Just try to get something close as far as the spare goes. Also, if you get a flat in the rear, swap a good tire from the front and use the spare on the front only. A size difference in the rear may mess with the TrueTrac as the smaller tire will be turning more times trying to keep up with the larger tire.

I don't have to use the spare any time.

Got the gears installed. Swapped my tune to account for the new gears. I am taking it easy but I believe I'm starting to really notice a difference