Well, over a month ago I pulled my diffs out and had them sent to ZUK in AZ. I decided to go with 529's. I didnt really see many people running them and thought it would be interesting to try something fairly new(with 33's BTW). ZUK said it should be fine as well. I also had a Lock Right put in the rear.

Ive put about 300 miles on the rear so far and only about 10 miles on the front. I was expecting a little more out of the 529's but I cant ask for too much when it has a 3.0 in it. It revs a little higher but not much really. The locker took a little a getting used to but its no big deal now. I was scared to take it on the highway but after doing a few short trips, it seems to handle just like it did before without the locker. Its true that you only notice it a slow speeds while turning(at least for me). Now I just need to update this after my next trip to see how she handles offroad!!

Overall, I am pretty happy that I regeared to 529 and the locker hasnt been in long enough to really say. Now I just need to get this dang o2 sensor problem fixed!!

I got a few pics I can post too.

 

Here are 3 from the rear. i will work on uploading the ones from ZUK of the install

 

Automatic tranny?

Getting that rear under the sway bar and into the housing is fun, huh?

 

That is what I was thinking. Swapping from stock to 5.29s in a manual makes a big difference. Either way, I say good choice, I am sure you will feel a difference in low, and enjoy the locker!

 

Manual Tranny. I can pull hills in 4th(but not like V8 power or anything) now that I had to shift into 3rd for before. So thats cool but over all, not a huge difference.

The worst part of the job was putting the front diff back in. Holy moly, that thing weighs a ton and its so akward. I did however do the CV mod where you punch the studs out. That made install easier. And it should be nice for when my cv snaps or a boot tears, etc...

 

Wow - I bet you tach like crazy on the freeway though! I just went to 4.88's with 33's, don't think I could handle more RPM at cruising speed... (kinda confirms my thought about 5.71 for 33's with auto though)

 

awesome bro. You have the trailmaster lift? I am trying to put mine on right now and having problems. Do you have install pics of yours?

 

Hey thanks man. No I dont have pics of the install unfortunately. Its a Procomp lift. Whats the problem you're having?
This is my thread so I dont mind changing the subject

 

TC-
Its revs kinda high but honestly not much more. Although, the speedo is probably way off now. It seems to be putting miles on a bit faster than it should. I need to borrow my friends GPS to find out.
I think when my speedo says 70mph, Im just at about 3k rpm, not quite though. So thats not too bad. Not too bad :pat:

 

The GPS would be the best way to figure it out. But until then, you could always drive side-by-side with somebody you know in another car, call them up and ask how fast they are going compared to you. How do you like the low gears when wheeling? I bet they are awesome for crawling!

 

wow, its been a while since Ive been on here.
Well, the gears and locker are great so far. Bad Road manners for me have been very minimal with the locker. Revs a bit higher and I figured out my speedo is off by about 7mph(fast).
Ive only been a few trips and to be honest, the truck just crawled up everything I needed. I hadnt been on the same routes before the gears and locker so cant say there was any difference. But overall Im happy with the upgrade.
Now I just need to figure out whats causing my CE light to keep coming on.

 

Sbrut95--- glad you like the gears. It's all a give and take....a little more rpm on the highway for the lower 1st gear performance offroad. Your manual clutch will last longer. I don't remember the specifics of your install but you must have been one of the last diffs I did before the HOT weather hit here. I took those CV studs out I think? Ain't that a cool time saver. ZUK

edit---just reviewed the emails to you back in April and now remember the hassle we had getting the Lockrite(1 month)...and then the delay also in getting the front 529 US GEAR....and I did take those studs out. That was super easy to do also.

 

Doesn't the speedo read off of the brake drum or something? If so, it's only affected by tire circumference, gearing will not change your speedo accuracy.

I'm actually about to do this sort of swap, except from 4.10 to 4.88 - what is this CV stud mod? I'd like any info I can get, especially since I may be putting my new thirds in today (hopefully I won't really have to weld though...)

 

Tap the bolts out with a hammer...don't damage the threads so use a nut threaded on for almost full thread engagement.

Then drill the holes out to .500" (a large rat-tail file might work also as there is not that much material that needs to be removed).

Done.

 

......or you could press them out like I did here. It took very little force to get them out....the hammer method would work just fine also.

 

This allows those funny bolts to slide all the way in and out, so they are no longer captured?

 

yes. Makes it easier to get the front carrier in place as the CV's can now be bolted together last.

 

Sounds like a great idea.

...but who are we to fool with corporate technology? Oh yeah... Yotatech

 

let me see if I have this right.

You press or beat the bolts out while protecting the threads.
Then drill out the bolt holes just slightly bigger.
then you are able to re-use the original bolts and install the CV's last becuase now the bolts will slide in and out of the larger holes.

RIGHT????

 

I'm looking at the front axle I have out in the garage - looks like having the bolts pressed out (no long studs) would be helpful, but they should still be captured in the flanges. Otherwise, I don't see how the bolts can be installed with the front axle up in there already.