Axle Gear Ratio - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NorthWolf33 · 02-06-2005, 11:26 PM

if I wanted to change the ratio of my gears, is it as simple as just ordering the new yoke a ring gear with a different ratio and installing thme on your current axle....like LMC has many gear ratios for my axle, and I wasn't really requiring overall toughness...I just want better gear ratio for better mileage and all that good stuff.

GenIIIShorty · 02-07-2005, 01:02 AM

you have to completely disassemble the axle. ratios come in ring and pinoin matched sets. and in order to have it right you need a dial indicator to set lash. there are backyard ways around setting lash, but that's the only right way to do it. the backyard ways work, but durability is an issue of getting it right on the first time, which requires a dial indicator. richmond gear makes entire swapout kits with new bearings, shims and gaskets.

1972 · 02-07-2005, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthWolf33

if I wanted to change the ratio of my gears, is it as simple as just ordering the new yoke a ring gear with a different ratio and installing thme on your current axle....like LMC has many gear ratios for my axle, and I wasn't really requiring overall toughness...I just want better gear ratio for better mileage and all that good stuff.

If you need to ask how to do it, it is not a job you want to do.

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-07-2005, 06:20 AM

Depending on what axle your doing the gear swap on you may need a press also, for removing and installing the carrier bearings during the process of setting-up the gears. I'd watch LMC their prices are high. You could do better, try www.ring-pinion.com for the parts.

LONGHAIR · 02-07-2005, 09:21 PM

At the risk of being repetitive..........if you have to ask, this is NOT a job to tackle yourself. This gets asked nearly weekly, at least every other week and the answer is always the same. For the cost involved and skill required (and on a job you will probably only ever do once)....just pay a reputable driveline shop.

NorthWolf33 · 02-09-2005, 04:01 AM

Ive ripped it all apart before because my front differential was ripped apart when I bought it.....so Ive had my whole front axle in pieces before and reassembled, so I dont worry about the work, but is it just as simple as buying a new ring and pinion and putting them on to gain a new axle ratio?

LONGHAIR · 02-09-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

so Ive had my whole front axle in pieces before and reassembled,

It's just not that easy, believe me. This is not as simple as switch the ring and pinion and put it all back. It will howl like mad and wear out in a very short time if not done properly.

ssls6 · 02-10-2005, 01:28 AM

When changing ratios, you need to make sure your carrier can accomodate the new ring gear.

1976Scottsdale · 02-12-2005, 08:55 AM

Yes, you need the dial indicator and everything. I watched a friend come to my house looking for a new 3.08 rearend and I saw why. He had his truck locked into 4lo and was running on just the front axle because his rearend was not built properly. He had thought the t-case was going, the grinding/howling sound was his ring gear coming loose and eating the whole differential... not tight and no lok tite. A good general philosophy, "You have two choices, do it right or do it again) To be more specific, you will have to set lash, tooth clearance, and a few other things to make sure the gears mesh perfectly. It just takes a while to do all of that yourself.

LONGHAIR · 02-13-2005, 10:06 AM

Why would he drive it around in Low Range?
Besides, all of the damaged stuff in the rear axle is still going around and suceptable to locking up! Not a good idea

NorthWolf33 · 02-14-2005, 01:26 PM

Gotcha....ya I read through the website about how to do it.....that was a great help.

NorthWolf33 · 02-14-2005, 01:28 PM

which Ive come to realize is not in this thread

02-06-2005, 11:26 PM	#1
NorthWolf33 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 80	Axle Gear Ratio if I wanted to change the ratio of my gears, is it as simple as just ordering the new yoke a ring gear with a different ratio and installing thme on your current axle....like LMC has many gear ratios for my axle, and I wasn't really requiring overall toughness...I just want better gear ratio for better mileage and all that good stuff.

02-07-2005, 01:02 AM	#2
GenIIIShorty JUNK COLLECTOR!!!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 514	you have to completely disassemble the axle. ratios come in ring and pinoin matched sets. and in order to have it right you need a dial indicator to set lash. there are backyard ways around setting lash, but that's the only right way to do it. the backyard ways work, but durability is an issue of getting it right on the first time, which requires a dial indicator. richmond gear makes entire swapout kits with new bearings, shims and gaskets. __________________ baby The dark side! 2000 XLT PSD F-250 4x4! Offroad package 1970 C10 Short-step soon to be short fleet, maybe? Corvette in truck's clothing in work! Corvette IFS, IRS, TPI and Doug Nash 4+3

02-07-2005, 06:20 AM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Depending on what axle your doing the gear swap on you may need a press also, for removing and installing the carrier bearings during the process of setting-up the gears. I'd watch LMC their prices are high. You could do better, try www.ring-pinion.com for the parts. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-07-2005, 09:21 PM	#5
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	At the risk of being repetitive..........if you have to ask, this is NOT a job to tackle yourself. This gets asked nearly weekly, at least every other week and the answer is always the same. For the cost involved and skill required (and on a job you will probably only ever do once)....just pay a reputable driveline shop.

02-09-2005, 04:01 AM	#6
NorthWolf33 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 80	Ive ripped it all apart before because my front differential was ripped apart when I bought it.....so Ive had my whole front axle in pieces before and reassembled, so I dont worry about the work, but is it just as simple as buying a new ring and pinion and putting them on to gain a new axle ratio?

02-10-2005, 01:28 AM	#8
ssls6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21	When changing ratios, you need to make sure your carrier can accomodate the new ring gear.

02-12-2005, 08:55 AM	#9
1976Scottsdale Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 76	Yes, you need the dial indicator and everything. I watched a friend come to my house looking for a new 3.08 rearend and I saw why. He had his truck locked into 4lo and was running on just the front axle because his rearend was not built properly. He had thought the t-case was going, the grinding/howling sound was his ring gear coming loose and eating the whole differential... not tight and no lok tite. A good general philosophy, "You have two choices, do it right or do it again) To be more specific, you will have to set lash, tooth clearance, and a few other things to make sure the gears mesh perfectly. It just takes a while to do all of that yourself.

02-13-2005, 10:06 AM	#10
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Why would he drive it around in Low Range? Besides, all of the damaged stuff in the rear axle is still going around and suceptable to locking up! Not a good idea

02-14-2005, 01:26 PM	#11
NorthWolf33 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 80	Gotcha....ya I read through the website about how to do it.....that was a great help.

02-14-2005, 01:28 PM	#12
NorthWolf33 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 80	which Ive come to realize is not in this thread



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