The 5.29 Mega Thread!!

Good to hear! I too was on ovt 2.0 before and although it was much improved over stock tune, KDMax enhanced it from there. Could not agree more, thanks for sharing your experience and glad its going well for you.

 

I run my own tune.

 

Good deal, it sure beats the stock tune.

 

I’m looking to get my new 2021 SR 4x4 tuned once I get my tires and lift. Who does this in Arkansas?

 

Pm sent.

 

Currently running 32's on a 3" lift. Scheduled for 5.29 install. I may go 33's with next tire change but would likely need to invest in some more lift. I plan on getting a small camper <16ft at some point and want my gear selection to improve towing on the highway as well. Didn't see much in the thread regarding two things that I need to work out before my installation in a couple weeks.
1. How will 5.29 affect towing with my current setup?
2. Yukon vs Nitro? The installer says the Nitro 5.29 are noisy AF. Any truth to that?

 

If you have street tires, stock muffler, and don't listen to the radio, yeah, theyre noisy. Done correctly the noise is minimal that you really have to listen for.

 

I can vouch for this. I have M/T tires but pretty quiet. With my radio off and rear slider open on a quiet street I can vaguely hear a slight whine around 40-50 mph on decel. I quit listening long ago. No worries.

 

Ordered my gears from East Coast Gear Supply about 2 weeks ago. Actually ordered the complete clamshell and rear diff. When I asked them What Brand of gears they'll be using they said from here on out they are using Yukon. Guess they've had too many issues and complaints with the Nitro's. I run 285 Dura-Tracs and I pull a 22' travel trailer (4500-4600lbs.) They should be here any day but I have a Mother's Day camping trip planned so I'll have to wait until I get back to install them. Won't have enough time to break them in before we go. Good thing is, the Pass that we will be traveling over is one we frequent so it'll be nice to have a fresh pull before the gears and I'll be able to compare stock to 5.29's with in a short time to really feel and know the difference.

 

I have Nitro 5.29 gears and after reading about everyone having better luck with Yukon being quiet, I really wish I went that route. Mine are noisy on decel and light throttle from 35-45mph and 65-75 mph. That being said it I love how it drives. I'm on 33's and have it paired to KDMax 6.0 Tune. Was on OV tune which worked well too but this new one by @PapaRee is a dream to drive compared to stock gears/tune.

 

Zuk did my gears. Nitro 5.29 cryo treated. The only noise you can possibly hear from them is coast above 70mph. That’s it. Nothing else from them.

 

Paparee made my current tune and is dialing me in for when the gears are in. He is magical.

 

Just a heads up. I’m running Yukon’s and have the same noises you’re describing.

 

Were your gears REM polished as well? Thought about getting my gears cryo treated as well but Zuk said it wasn't necessary.

 

I have a different tune but if my truck weighed any less, I'm not sure I'd like having my performance tune on. 4LO is touchy and I'm 1000lbs over stock. That being said, thank you for the spacers!

 

No not rem. Talked me out of it.
I have the cryo because he happened to have an extra set already done ready to go when I started talking to him about it.
He’s worth it IMO. He’s been doing diffs for so long he’s seen it all.
Plus the attention to detail he gives. You’ll know if your factory gear oil was in to long on your old set.
You’ll get every setting he does and tons of pics.
Good dude

 

Okay 5.29 fam. Recently swapped to 5.29 complete units from ECGS, I'm nearing the end of the 500 mile initial break in, and I'm getting a decent whine/howl at 70mph+, goes almost to nothing at 65 and gone at 60. Fades quite a bit once I lift off the accelerator. I've seen some postings around saying that fluid can affect this? In a discussion I had with ECGS where I'm in Maine due to climate they suggested I run 80-90 instead of their usual recommendation of 85-140. But if 85-140 makes the howl fade or go away I'd be happy.

 

Ahhh I remember when someone in this thread saying gears, specifically Nitro’s dont howl

Yes, go to the thicker Lucas Oil 85w-140. I’ve tried all lighter weights and its just way way louder. I don’t know how that’ll affect cold climate, but it will help with noise (it wont disappear...it only gets louder from here)

 

I'm not sure if I have nitros or not, I don't think so as they weren't stamped with nitro on the ring gear when I looked the pig over before putting it in. But I'll switch to the thicker oil and then maybe pull my rear seat backs and get some foam to put back there, I'm in a AC

 

Well, that's not what I wanted to hear. Mine were ordered two weeks ago and should be here any day. Gonna suck if they howl. Currently silent on the stock set up. Dealing with a company on the opposite side of the country might makes things a pain in the ass. (I'm in Oregon) knock on wood the swap will go well and the gears don't howl since it's my daily. Honestly been stressing over this for 2 weeks. I honestly wouldn't care too much but...when the family's in the rig hauling the trailer somewhere and the truck's gears howl...that'll suck.