Rear End question

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sniklefritz

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I lifted my tahoe 6in with 35s on my 03.

I cant find exactly what stats I need to be looking for on the ring and pinion for my tahoe.

I figure I should go with the 4.30's but I do not know exactly what I should be searching for because 4.30 is very general when doing a internet search.

what else should I know like bolt pattern or bolt count when I do my search and generally should I be looking at 4.30 for 35s.

Thanks for any help or schooling.

5.3L btw
 

blueflamed03

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you have an 8.5/8.6 rear end, 10 bolt...call Rons Machine, or Randys Ring and Pinion, they can get you what you need.
 
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I lifted my tahoe 6in with 35s on my 03.

I cant find exactly what stats I need to be looking for on the ring and pinion for my tahoe.

I figure I should go with the 4.30's but I do not know exactly what I should be searching for because 4.30 is very general when doing a internet search.

what else should I know like bolt pattern or bolt count when I do my search and generally should I be looking at 4.30 for 35s.

Thanks for any help or schooling.

5.3L btw
If your going to change gears, go w/ 4.56
 

Arctic-Rodz

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I am also in the market for gears, Im going 4.56 or 4.88. Im running 35's on my tahoe.

I emailed Rons Machining service. They said they have front and rear gear sets with install/overhaul kits for $399.99
I saw them on ebay from them and they are "USA Gear" anyone have any experience on them?
 

blueflamed03

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I am also in the market for gears, Im going 4.56 or 4.88. Im running 35's on my tahoe.

I emailed Rons Machining service. They said they have front and rear gear sets with install/overhaul kits for $399.99
I saw them on ebay from them and they are "USA Gear" anyone have any experience on them?

many have used the USA Gear, no issues.
 

blueflamed03

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nope, I looked on ptrucks.net and many use his kits. If installed and setup fine, and you follow the break in method, you should be fine.
 

Arctic-Rodz

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Sweet... Ill be sure to order them when im good to go. I do feel the loss of TQ with the 35's. But im still debating on 4.56 or 4.88

Also if there is any gain in MPG by doing so.
 

blueflamed03

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Yes, I actually gained by going to 4.11's from 3.42's...gets the power back in range. 4.56's minimum, I have 31" and did 4.11's...could have done 4.56's.
 

Arctic-Rodz

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Yes, I actually gained by going to 4.11's from 3.42's...gets the power back in range. 4.56's minimum, I have 31" and did 4.11's...could have done 4.56's.

Maybe cause it sounds "steep" to go that low a gear. Ive never used them. Always been 3.73 with my trucks.. then again, ive never ran 35" M/T's
 

clemet

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Good rule of thumb that I have always followed 4.10/4.11 for 33" tires 4.56 for 35" tires, and 4.88 for 37" tires. It always seems to put the power band back where it belongs. The only thing I will say about gears such as Motive, USA Gear, and other "cheap" (as in price) gears is run a good gear oil. The only set of USA Gear gears that I have setup were noisy with cheap oil. Put Lucas in it, and no noise at all.
 
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Arctic-Rodz

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can you use other gear oils/additives on the diff's on these?
I heard somewhere that it had to be specific OEM oil because of the limited slip or something like that.
 

ROV Hawk

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question for the guys that have done gear swap outs...how much are we talking for price with labor?? they have a couple off road shops in my town but everyone i've spoken with that has used these guys all complain about getting bent over with labor costs...i want to change the gears in my truck as well to at least a 4.10 i just want to get a heads up as for what kind of money i need to be looking at losing lol....thanks guys
 

Arctic-Rodz

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question for the guys that have done gear swap outs...how much are we talking for price with labor?? they have a couple off road shops in my town but everyone i've spoken with that has used these guys all complain about getting bent over with labor costs...i want to change the gears in my truck as well to at least a 4.10 i just want to get a heads up as for what kind of money i need to be looking at losing lol....thanks guys

Well, regionally, labor cost is gonna vary. For example, here in south TX. I know several reputable performance shops that will charge $150 per axle. Which, from what ive heard, is a KILLER good price.

What tires are you running? Look like 35's, no less than 4.56 from what ive heard. And some guys that are on 4.56 wish they had gone 4.88
 

ROV Hawk

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Well, regionally, labor cost is gonna vary. For example, here in south TX. I know several reputable performance shops that will charge $150 per axle. Which, from what ive heard, is a KILLER good price.

What tires are you running? Look like 35's, no less than 4.56 from what ive heard. And some guys that are on 4.56 wish they had gone 4.88

150 an axle is definitely doable...and i've got a 295/70/18 so its like a 34.5 or some crap..i checked into some conversion charts and talked to a few people and the general consensus is that 4.10's will bring me back to close to what a stock ratio would be..i live in the country so when i head to town i end up being on the highway a lot and from what i understand 4.56's will kill my highway mileage...im always open to other suggestions or pieces of information because this is one of those mods that i plan on only undertaking once and the more info the better...
 
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sniklefritz

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This is all awesome information.. Looks like I will go with 4.56's. I doubt that I will be able to get 150 for install so I think I will end up putting them in myself. Thanks for all the info. I am sure this thread will help a few others looking into this.
 

chevy_man

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Good rule of thumb that I have always followed 4.10/4.11 for 33" tires 4.56 for 35" tires, and 4.88 for 37" tires. It always seems to put the power band back where it belongs. The only thing I will say about gears such as Motive, USA Gear, and other "cheap" (as in price) gears is run a good gear oil. The only set of USA Gear gears that I have setup were noisy with cheap oil. Put Lucas in it, and no noise at all.


Personally, if the gears were noisy the setup wasn't quite right or the gears may have had a flaw. Either way you should have taken it back and demanded they look into it.
 

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