4.88 rear end

[mobilewashpros]

Has anyone changed out the gears in the rear end. I picked up a 450 and soon found out the rear end has the 4.88 setup. Any ideas on where to start looking?

[tbsimmons]

The cost on a gear swap might outweigh the benefits.
I have 4.88's, my brother had one with 4.30's. his truck got about 1 mpg better than mine all the time. So the cost benefit was not enough for me.
Better solution would be just delete the smog crap. It will be cheaper than the gear swap and also yield much better mileage than the gear swap.
The 450's were not built to cruise at 80. They were built to tow a lot at 60. To heavy of a truck to start with. If I drive over 65 the mileage drops quick.

[BigGreen06]

X2
Delete the DPF and Cat and keep your gearing.

James.

[tbsimmons]

Forgot to add.
4.88's really shine when towing heavy in the mountains. My fiver is in the 18000 range. My brothers is in the 15500 range. I could out pull him in the mountains. Long steep grades, he ran off and left me though. I think that was the extra 2500+ pounds and not the gearing.

[iamtiltproof]

i have the sam eissue. i talked to randys ring and pinion. they have the 4:10 for the 450 with everything its running around 1250 if you do your own labor.

[Ryan Rønning]

$1250 is not that bad, combine that with smog deleting and it would be a huge improvement.

[tbsimmons]

I would hate 4.10's in this truck. I had 4.56's with 35's in my 6.0. If you dont tow then yes 4.10's will be fine. If you do and tow heavy you will hate them. Truck will never be able to stay in OD as much. That is why I love 4.88's. Truck stays in OD a lot with the TC locked. Tires are too tall, truck is too heavy, etc. If you want mileage, dont drive the 450 everyday. If you cant keep the TC locked in the tranny temp will go up also.
1200 for gears is not too bad. If you have never installed gears, I would not attempt on this truck with a 3rd member.