4.10 gear finally Installed

[CheddarGau]

Finally got around to installing my 4.10 gears in the rear. Couple reasons for this. Upgraded to some larger tires a few months back, saw an instant reduction in fuel economy. Lost about 20-30km per tank. Pretty standard, but I also saw a drop on power, more specifically it felt a little sluggish.

Impressions so far are great. As a mechanic I am always paying close attention to my vehicles and the vehicles of my friends (when I drive them). Initial impression is definitely an increase in usable power, vehicle feels better than it did with stock tires. Another unexpected improvement is my slightly slipping transmission (wife can't tell that it is) had a big reduction in slipping, especially in reverse up hill. I speculate the transmission is now working a lot easier, an unexpected bonus. As a 90% city driving, l expect to see an improvement in fuel economy with all the stop and go traffic and its also a fairly hilly city. Will give an update later on that.

I feel that for people who are in need of a diff rebuild on a stock vehicle that does a lot of city driving, it would be a good real world upgrade and likely improve fuel economy over stock. If you do a lot of highway driving, then it would likely not be a benefit. While it is quite pricey to do this, if the vehicle is in good condition, you like it and you plan on keeping iy, then its worth it.

Give your thoughts.

I forgot to mention I put in a powertrax clutch type LSD. Works great. Would spin rear wheels on steep hills on dry streets and thats is now gone, even on the alley behind my building that is in worse condition than most forest service roads..... seriously its really bad

 

[lfhoward]

Did you do the regearing yourself? How much of a process was it?

Were the new ring and pinion set up on the first try, third try, or eighth try?

I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I have never had the cash to pay for it, but am wary of messing it up if I were to do it myself.

 

[CheddarGau]

Did you do the regearing yourself? How much of a process was it?

Were the new ring and pinion set up on the first try, third try, or eighth try?

I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I have never had the cash to pay for it, but am wary of messing it up if I were to do it myself.

Did it myself, I got close, I didn't have extra pinion bearings on hand to make a set up bearings. I had assumed we had the pinion depth setting tool, which we didn't so I went with the calculation based on the number and shim stack on the original parts, the calculate based on the mark on the new pinion. It gets close, but I'm a little low, so need to add a little more to my shim stack. Heel toe pattern isn't what I would like, but I only had a couple hours to get the rear done. It's close enough.

Ran out of time to put in the front. That is ready to go. Drop front diff and put in the one sitting on my bench. Cost ill grab when I get home. Don't remember. Parts were ordered a while ago, but didn't get around to putting them in. But its not hard if you get the pinion depth right. I also forgot my carrier has the speed ring on it and hadnt factored that into the assembly hahaha.

 

[lfhoward]

That’s awesome. Nice work.

It sounds like a great idea to have a spare front differential, regear it on the bench, and then swap it in when you have time. Those go for about $100 at the LKQ in my area. So not bad for some extra flexibility.

 

[CheddarGau]

Yeah buying it ahead of time, making sure its set up properly and slapping it in, is just easier. The front was always going to be set up ahead of time, so finding a used 4.10 was the ideal way. Anything to do with 4.10 on the super 30 is expensive. So it was cheaper to get one shipped in rather than buy the ring and pinion on their own. Gears were in great shape, just installed my torsen and new bearings and put it back together. Pattern did not change, so no adjustments were done. The kid loves this particular vehicle for some reason (autistic 4 year old knows what he likes), so I'm not allowed to sell this one, hence why I did quite the upgrade.

Rear ring and pinion $297 cad
Powertrax grip ls (clutch LSD) $912 cad
Eaton Trutrac 27 $889 cad
Rear ring and pinion bearing kit w/ shims $227 cad
Front ring and pinion bearing kit w/shims $425
Front diff w/ 4.10 gears from wrecker $800 ish from wrecker in Alberta shipped to the west coast BC

 

[duderz7]

I did mine myself.I have a thread on here somewhere. It's quite a project. I feel the most important thing is to have plenty of time and patience. It actually took me months, but I was doing it outside in the the with only small chunks of time per day to work. I also broke my foot during the process which slowed down. I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed seeing me hop around on one foot with tools and car parts in hand.

 

[CheddarGau]

That’s awesome. Nice work.

It sounds like a great idea to have a spare front differential, regear it on the bench, and then swap it in when you have time. Those go for about $100 at the LKQ in my area. So not bad for some extra flexibility.

You don't have to do it the way I did, but even paying for new front and rear gears, from a driveabilty stand point it's a very meaningful upgrade.

 

[CheddarGau]

I did mine myself.I have a thread on here somewhere. It's quite a project. I feel the most important thing is to have plenty of time and patience. It actually took me months, but I was doing it outside in the the with only small chunks of time per day to work. I also broke my foot during the process which slowed down. I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed seeing me hop around on one foot with tools and car parts in hand.

That's rough. I had a free day after work, so I stayed late and did it. I will work on the ground, but I'm spoiled and prefer not to..... plus all my tools are at work hah.

 

[u2slow]

Having a spare diff is ideal. You can also take the front diff our for several weeks/months and be 2wd-only in the meantime. BTDT.