The 4.88 mega thread!!

i was going to say you quoted your answer. Different gear ratios between the two transmissions.

 

really you're not. you're running just shy of a 32" tire. you're cruising rpm's for overdrive with that tire height are still lower than a stock tired manual 3rd gen. is your final drive ratio more aggressive than stock, yes, but that's what you want.

 

I drove up to Nitro's HQ last week and had them install their 4.88s. It was reassuring to have the gears installed straight from the source. They were great at answering all of my questions and clarifying some misinformation that's on the internet (including this thread). It was a loooong, sloooow drive home properly breaking in the gears... 150 more miles to go to reach the 500 milestone. Me happy!

 

So how long was your drive home? Did they tell you what to do if you have to drive it back on the interstate? If I’m gonna do mine the place is over an hour drive on the freeway.

 

You'll be good! My drive home was just over 300 miles, mostly on highways and freeways. I spent more time stopped than driving, and when I was driving, I took it slow. Took forever, but worth it in the long run. -- The key is to take things easy to prevent damage from overheating the oil and gears.

 

can you tow after the 500 mile break in?

 

When you guys do the break in, are all 500 miles done in 4hi?

 

You can, but ECGS included directions for the first tow... they didnt specify a mileage but there was a distance and cool down period for the first tow.

for me, yeah. I went over 500 miles on odo since there was mileage on 2wd when turning or on tight neighborhood streets.

 

What misinformation did they clarify for you? I'm curious as when I talked to Nitro they were also telling me misinformation.

 

There’s a few things they clarified for me, not sure where I originally heard or read everything. It wasn’t Cryo related, something I recall you saying you didn’t agree with them about.

 

Have you looked into Duggys garage?

 

Anybody do the install themselves yet?

 

whelp, truck is done. 4.88's installed. picking it up tonight after work. can't wait!!!

 

Let us know!

 

What it cost for parts and labor? Parts are relatively the same accross the dealers.. but labor was just insane for the price differences

 

Do you mean install the ring and pinion themselves? Or do you mean install the assembled clamshell or 3rd member? The assembled ones werent bad at all and could be done at home if you have some tools and are strong or have a friend. doing the ring and pinion, that seems more difficult.

Sweet! What size tire are you on?

 

Yes I'm talking about installing the ring and pinion into the existing clamshell/3rd members. My plan was to do the pre-assembled swap but I'm up for a challenge and I feel weird about putting someone's beat on housings in my new-ish truck.

EDIT: I just looked at the service manual and there's a lot of shimming with various thickness washers. a DIY install would require a bunch of those ready to go and most wouldn't be used so that's not gonna be fun. Kinda like the shim buckets for the heads on my old STi.

 

$2500 total including ECGS bushing

 

Nothing exciting, 31.5".

For some they'd consider it being overgeared, in my opinion it's where it should be.

 

The housings I received were in perfect condition. You couldn’t tell a thing all that they were used. They are the 2 cleanest things under the truck right now. I applaud you for wanting to tackle the R&P yourself. Shows you have brass cajones!

I don’t have that level of confidence currently but after seeing and helping with the assembled parts, I believe I could do that one with confidence.