New bigger tires, new rearend gears?

rtbrick · June 13, 2003

I recently put a set of BFG 285 All Terrains on my 2000 Ext Cab. I noticed a slight bit of power loss, but didn't know the cause. Someone posted that with the larger 285's my 3.73 gears are now effectively 3.39. I was thinkig about putting in a new set of 4.11s to improve the responsiveness of the truck. What do you guys think about that? Has anyone else done it? What do you think the cost would be?

AllGMV8 · June 13, 2003

New gears and ABS reluctor are around $150 - $200. The install is what costs the big bucks. Figure another $200 - $500 depending on whether you know somebody who does it on the side or if you pay full shop rates. It takes a while to get to the gears then put everything back together within spec tolerances.

I just helped put a new rearend in my Caprice, so I got to see firsthand how long it takes and how much measuring goes into aligning the carrier. A local shop quoted me $450 to install.

Adam

rtbrick · June 13, 2003

ABS reluctor? What's that?

Dihappy · June 14, 2003

Im no rear end specialist, but all i paid for on my 99 was the gears.

If you want to do it right tho, youll need extra money for a programmer like the HPPIII to adjust your speedo for larger tires and different gears.

If you think youll ever lift the truck for larger tires, id go with 4.56 gears tho, and since there is no more cost for labor, go with an aftermarket diff such as the Auburn Pro LSD or Eaton.

scooter70 · June 14, 2003

Im no rear end specialist, but all i paid for on my 99 was the gears.

If you want to do it right tho, youll need extra money for a programmer like the HPPIII to adjust your speedo for larger tires and different gears.

If you think youll ever lift the truck for larger tires, id go with 4.56 gears tho, and since there is no more cost for labor, go with an aftermarket diff such as the Auburn Pro LSD or Eaton.

When you change rear gears on a 4x4, do you have to do anything up front?

Dihappy · June 14, 2003

Im no rear end specialist, but all i paid for on my 99 was the gears.

If you want to do it right tho, youll need extra money for a programmer like the HPPIII to adjust your speedo for larger tires and different gears.

If you think youll ever lift the truck for larger tires, id go with 4.56 gears tho, and since there is no more cost for labor, go with an aftermarket diff such as the Auburn Pro LSD or Eaton.

When you change rear gears on a 4x4, do you have to do anything up front?

Yup, both at same time.

MountaineerTom · June 14, 2003

Im no rear end specialist, but all i paid for on my 99 was the gears.

If you want to do it right tho, youll need extra money for a programmer like the HPPIII to adjust your speedo for larger tires and different gears.

If you think youll ever lift the truck for larger tires, id go with 4.56 gears tho, and since there is no more cost for labor, go with an aftermarket diff such as the Auburn Pro LSD or Eaton.

When you change rear gears on a 4x4, do you have to do anything up front?

Yup, both at same time.

Or else you'll have one set of wheels turning at a different RPM from the other, and that would not be good for the drivetrain.