combat jump
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- Raleigh, NC
After reading all I could find on these boards about gaining highway speed for my daily driving M1028, I went with the re-gear option. Here's why:
1. 700r4: I like idea of a 4th gear in the slushbox, but the 700r4 swap seemed pretty involved (spline matching, possible transfer case swap too, getting the shifting right), and I would be reluctant to use a questionable junkyard transmission. I'd want to rebuild it first to better match the beefy 1 ton running gear, so more $. I have a pretty well equipped garage and have done simple transmission swaps, but have never done a swap like this, so I'd have to farm out the work to the pros.
2. Overdrive: A Gear Vendors OD is 3 grand, and I didn't want to spend that much.
3. Lift/Tall Tires: Tall tires with a lift COULD be done on a budget, but I know that a properly done lift can approach a couple grand. Would need to buy the tires, too. Plus, I don't want the lifted look.
4. Re-gear: Downsides of a diff gear swap are that its expensive up front. Mine was $2,100 out the door. I'd rather not have altered the famous 4.56 gearing, either. I lost the limited slip capability on my Dana 60 (still have the original parts but they don't match with the 3.73 setup). I could buy another limited slip or locker to replace it, but that's not a priority now. Also, the installation required special tools and some skill (I have not done one before). Ok, the upside is that an offroad shop can knock one of these out in a few days. Its the quickest way to be keeping up with freeway traffic, and maybe the cheapest.
The truck drives MUCH better on the highway. I estimate I have gained +/- 12 mph at the same engine rpm as before. There is still plenty of low speed grunt to get the truck moving, but I can notice less power at highway speeds.
But with what I saved over a Gear Vendor OD, or custom built 700r4, I can put towards a used eBay Sidewinder turbo.
Finally, I know that there are lots of ways to do #'s 1 through 3 above. Yes, I wish I could have done it for less $$. For me, this was the way to go. Now I am moving on to finish painting it. (shot it with Rustoleum last week, will shoot Rapco 686 next weekend).
1. 700r4: I like idea of a 4th gear in the slushbox, but the 700r4 swap seemed pretty involved (spline matching, possible transfer case swap too, getting the shifting right), and I would be reluctant to use a questionable junkyard transmission. I'd want to rebuild it first to better match the beefy 1 ton running gear, so more $. I have a pretty well equipped garage and have done simple transmission swaps, but have never done a swap like this, so I'd have to farm out the work to the pros.
2. Overdrive: A Gear Vendors OD is 3 grand, and I didn't want to spend that much.
3. Lift/Tall Tires: Tall tires with a lift COULD be done on a budget, but I know that a properly done lift can approach a couple grand. Would need to buy the tires, too. Plus, I don't want the lifted look.
4. Re-gear: Downsides of a diff gear swap are that its expensive up front. Mine was $2,100 out the door. I'd rather not have altered the famous 4.56 gearing, either. I lost the limited slip capability on my Dana 60 (still have the original parts but they don't match with the 3.73 setup). I could buy another limited slip or locker to replace it, but that's not a priority now. Also, the installation required special tools and some skill (I have not done one before). Ok, the upside is that an offroad shop can knock one of these out in a few days. Its the quickest way to be keeping up with freeway traffic, and maybe the cheapest.
The truck drives MUCH better on the highway. I estimate I have gained +/- 12 mph at the same engine rpm as before. There is still plenty of low speed grunt to get the truck moving, but I can notice less power at highway speeds.
But with what I saved over a Gear Vendor OD, or custom built 700r4, I can put towards a used eBay Sidewinder turbo.
Finally, I know that there are lots of ways to do #'s 1 through 3 above. Yes, I wish I could have done it for less $$. For me, this was the way to go. Now I am moving on to finish painting it. (shot it with Rustoleum last week, will shoot Rapco 686 next weekend).
