Hey all,

New to this forum. Searched the threads already and couldn't come up with an answer for a relatively easy question.

I just bought a 98 12v with an automatic and 4:10's. I hate automatics and I commute with this truck so the 4:10's aren't working out so well. But a honda dealership had this truck and they wanted it gone yesterday. It literally looks brand new inside and out. With 70k on the odo and the asking price of $10K I couldn't pass it up.

When I took it to my local mechanic he said the gear swap would be too intensive and cost too much. He is a great guy and an even better mechanic. I don't think he had the time to put into looking into this swap. I guess my question is: it is straight forward on this truck to swap the gears, right?

Appreciate the help.

 

holy moly that wouldn't have made it to the lot around this neck of the woods for that price! With them miles. Nice one!

 

Changing R&P is not for the back yard machanic. To do it right there are specail tool needed to set pinion depth and back lash. Plus you will need to change both front and rear gears (that is if it's 4wheel drive). Gears will run about 225.00 a set plus shim kits. labor is about 3-4hr for the rear and 6 for the front. You might be better off looking for a used front and rear end.
I hope this helps

 

My post was kind of vague. Sorry 'bout that. He is worried that there will be issues with "the computer and shift points". He is more than capable of the rest.

Yeah, I did get a good deal. I struggled with the 2wd vs. 4wd for awhile and settled on the two wheel. I couldn't justify the associated costs of the 4wd. And I am not kidding the truck literally looks like brand new. We all know the type: a little old man who loved his truck and babied it!

 

yea got lucky on that one them kind of truck are rare anymore... most been turned up and run the snot out of(like mine)

 

you can get a speed calaburater im not sure at what the real name is for it but jet makes one and superlift maks one. it just ties in to the transmission wires and it has a ajustment screw on it. i had a jet one on a 96 dodge 1500 and had a gear swap and bigger tires it has a chart to go by. i believe it cost 100 or little more. hope this helps

 

Since it's a 2wd, it's not really a big job. Check around the boneyards for a used low mileage rear diff. The trucks computer can be changed for the tire size and the gear ratio, I'm fairly sure, but check with the dealer.
You may even find someone in the classifieds willing to swap with you.

 

If your 98 is anything like mine (and I'm willing to bet it is), the speedo picks up the speed from the ABS sensor in the diff. There is an exciter ring attached to the carrier that generates a signal. Since it is attached to the carrier, changing the gear ratio won't affect your speedo at all, as the carrier is still doing the same number of revolutions per mile.

 

i guess $3,750 isn't that bad then for a 96 4x4 5 spd. CTD 1 owner truck from georgia that only needs a bumper and marker lens that i bought a few months ago, eh?

 

Since your truck is a 2wd it would be much easier and cheaper to just find another rear axle with 3.55s. Someone that tows a lot might even be willing to trade axles with you.

I changed gears in my 00 gasser (4x4) and probably spent close $1500 on parts and tools.

 

Geez oh peeetz 1500!! I would guess 500 an axle. I build at least 1 axle a day at work.

 

Don't forget that the carrier won't be the same for the 4.10's as needed for the 3.55's. Didn't see anybody mention that.

Waylan

 

Thanks for all the info! So it looks as though it should not be a problem whether I swap in gears or change out the rear end. My mechanic was worried that he would run into a host of problems.