just traded axels with dynamiclyunstable. he wanted 4:1s and i wanted 3:5s. it was great we started at 930 this am and were done by 4 with a lunch break and lift kit on his truck. i wanted to do this for awhile but didnt want to get into the punkinsand all the backlash etc. this is the only way to go imho. seems my axel was beefier (i have an extra spring also) so was wondering what the difference was, anybody know? cant wait to recalibrate my speedo! woo hoo im excited anyway

 

Swaping the entire axle is the only way to go. Unless you know a real cheap gear man.
I do, just happen to have poured a concrete floor in his shop this last spring so he owes me one. I just happen to be needing a limited slip.
CJ

 

I did the same shortly after buying my 01. A co worker was trading in his 01 v-10 truck, so before he did we swapped both front and rear axles. I lost my sure grip out of the deal, but I'm much happier with the 3.55 gear.

 

Sounds like you swapped a Dana 80 for a Dana 70 in an automatic truck. He got the better of the deal.

 

agreed....but if he's happy with the 3.55s so be it....

and the comment about a cheap gear man....learn how to set them, it's not hard, your average wrencher is capible of doing it...

 

yeah he has an automatic sport. i figured he got the better end but never heard of axel trouble with these. anybody? the front ends seemed the same though. does anybody know that? my fiance's in montana for a spell so i need better milage anyway and am glad to have my rpms drop

 

You are right, the front should be the same. Also unless you are towing heavy and high amounts of torque, the rear 70 should be fine.

Setting gears is a pain, but not hard. All put together, look at the pattern and it will tell you what has to be moved if anything. The front is not as critical as in most cases it is only used in low speed use.

 

yeah i just tow light. no more that 10,000. maybe ill get lucky and find some one like jbody did. the rear was cake. wouldnt even need a shop!