Is the factory 4.88 third different from the others (4:10)?

[elripster]

I'm trying to get some gearing quotes from a local shop in San Diego and am being told trucks like mine with factory 4.88's have an offset pinion and can't accept the replacement gears. Has anyone actually regeared or tried to regear a truck with factory 4.88's? It would be nice to know if this is true.

Frank

[MiniSimp]

Should be the same: http://www.gearinstalls.com/tony.htm

[amgraham]

I have always heard you couldn't regear a factory 4.88 as well. Fortunately used 3rds are pretty easy to come by so I would just find a used set of 4.10s or whatever, have those regeared, then swap them out.. That minimizes your downtime with that approach.

[elripster]

I have always heard you couldn't regear a factory 4.88 as well. Fortunately used 3rds are pretty easy to come by so I would just find a used set of 4.10s or whatever, have those regeared, then swap them out.. That minimizes your downtime with that approach.

Agreed.

I found a post on Yotatech, Slosurfer has the same diff and he was told he could not regear it either.

I think I need to find some 4:10's and do like you said. Saves a lot of money too.

frank

[ChickenLover]

4.88s are pretty popular for those who are running larger tires. I bet you wouldn't have much of a problem finding someone to trade their 4.10 thirds for your 4.88s.

[Robinhood4x4]

Frank, I thought you would know this one...

It's pretty well known that the factory 4.88s can't be regeared.

[RobG]

Believe it's only the 8" (rear) thats special. You should be able to regear the 7.5" (Front).

4.88 replacement parts are becoming harder to find. You can probably get someone like Troy at Calmini to swap you a 410 for your 488. He'll set up your gears too if you need it.

[Robinhood4x4]

Believe it's only the 8" (rear) thats special. You should be able to regear the 7.5" (Front).

4.88 replacement parts are becoming harder to find. You can probably get someone like Troy at Calmini to swap you a 410 for your 488. He'll set up your gears too if you need it.

Correct, it's just the rear that is a problem.

[elripster]

Well my last truck was geared from 4.10's to 4.88's so I never encountered this one.

Wouldn't I be better off getting used 4:10 thirds and having them set up, installing them in my truck, then selling the intact 4.88 thirds I have now?

Frank

[Robinhood4x4]

Well, it took almost a year to sell my 5.29 ARB'd front diff so I don't think there's much of a market for IFS diffs.

People know about the rear 4.88 factory diff problem so they're slightly less desirable than other thirds.