Gears

After driving the truck for a while, I couldn't help but to keep thinking about the gearing. It seemed as if the engine never went about 1500rpm, unless I buried the throttle. First gear went all the way to 50mph. I looked at all of the options available, checked the tire-size/gear ratio charts over and over again, then called for quotes on gears. The choice I made after looking at the options available was Randy's Ring and pinion. They were courteous, and the hold-times on the phone were less that some of the others. I ordered 5.13's for my truck, and while they sound little too low of a gear, they actual bring the gearing to be like a 4.11 with the stock 30 inch tires. A ratio of 4.88 would be in the same range as the 3.73's were with the 30's.

Along with the gears, I ordered a Eaton Posi, and all of the other bearings that I would be able to replace. I also ordered a bearing puller, and dial indicator, so that I could set the gears up myself. ( I'd rather have the tools, than pay someone more than the tools cost). 

So ask for Dave (1-800-292-1031 extension 5564) at Randy's Ring and Pinion.

The gears, posi, and dial indicator showed up, but it seems that the bearing pullers were back-ordered. I cancelled the bearing puller, and made a device(with the help of a Makita grinder, scrap metal, and my Lincoln mig welder) to remove the bearing with my shop press. The bearing cap on the drivers side of the carrier was only held in by the bottom bolt. The top bolt was finger-tight. I inspected everything for cracks/bends, and found nothing to discourage a rebuild. I suppose that if I had waited longer to do something to the rear-end, I would have had to work on it at a most inconvenient time. I rebuilt the rear-end, installed the Eaton Posi, and went to work on the front end. The only catch with the front end is the bearing set. It seems that the kit for the front differentials do not have a third roller axle bearing. Check the kit, there should be a small roller bearing for the pilot in the passenger side split axle, and three larger roller bearings. Two roller bearings (one in each adjuster for the carrier) and one on the end of the housing for the passenger side axle. The front differential comes apart in three main pieces. An axle tube on the passenger side (be careful of the springs/small parts when removing) and the two aluminum halves that house the carrier. Since the carrier is completely encased, you will have to remove the vent tube to gain access for checking the backlash. I put mine on a workbench, made and extension for the dial indicator, and checked the backlash by inserting a screwdriver through the filler plug hole, to rock the gears back and forth.

Since the differential rebuilds, the truck seems to pull better, but I will know for sure once I have them broken in (following the recommendations) then I will stand on it, and see how it goes.................