The 5.29 Mega Thread!!

Just Differentials in Cashmere, WA

 

Not really sure what's going on with the change in ownership at JustDiff but this guy just posted up a buyer beware with them: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nitro-gears-justdifferentials.745688/

 

So it is true! I heard something similar from my gear installer here in LA that they have been facing issues with Nitro Gears and the new owners. Death of yet another (previously) good brand! Luckily I went with Revolution.

 

So after my trip to moab my gear became substantially more noisy on the way back. I decided to go ahead and try switching over to the amsoil 75w-110 from dyno 80w-90. Holy cow it made a huge difference. I'm actually very surprised as I was skeptical that it would do anything but it definitely shut them up quite a bit.

 

You didn’t tell me this. Good to know!

 

4.56 Nitro here on 35s. I have been running the 75/110 in the rear for over a year and 15,000 miles. No whine at all.

 

Just went wheeling today for the first time since getting regeared and it was wonderful. It was a wet, sloppy mess on some steep slopes today and the truck felt remarkably powerful and in control when in 4lo, and in 4hi 1st gear is feeling like a mini-4lo. Very happy to say the least

 

Gear ratio and tire size please?

 

5.29 and 285/75/16

 

Figures. It's cuz I made the swap to a Tacoma and 5.29's.
Shit follows me everywhere

Hopefully all goes well with my order.

 

Quick Update: I went with Revolution 5.29 Gears, did not get a front locker. I am running 285/75/17 Toyo OC AT3’s.

I am about half way through the break in process so I am babying the gears. No whining noises so far. After the first 500miles I will change my gear oil with Amsoil Severe Gear.

 

How was the wait on shipping for those?

 

For the Gears or Tires?

The gears were in stock at Premier West Gears where I installed them. The tires on the other hand were on national back order everywhere but I managed to find some at America’s Tires in their Washington warehouse. They were able to ship it down to me in SoCal free of charge in a couple of days.

 

Yea the gears. Sounds like you got lucky. Tires are backordered everywhere. My wildpeaks took 3 weeks to ship, same with the rims.

 

My driveway is a very short and steep hill that dead ends at my house. The first time I pulled in I nearly ran right into it.

 

Sorry if I missed this somewhere else, but based on quoted comment, looks like Nitro may have changed ownership and maybe for the worse.

Any insights here would be appreciated as I was going to pull the trigger on their 5.29s. I have been debating 4.88 vs 5.29 for a while. So much I put it down for a bit. Was coming back to this thread to reaffirm myself and find this... So, very curious.

 

I've seen several people suggest that all of these gears (nitro, yukon, etc) come from the same foundry and are just branded and sold by a middleman. Can anyone confirm or refute this?

Economically it makes sense that they would all come from the same specialty manufacturer but whether it's true or not I can't say.

 

I also found this upon more digging.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nitro-gears-justdifferentials.745688/

looks like it was sold. but still very curious on @skeletron's question - which is a very good one - and any other insights out there.

 

Looks like that's the case according to this article.

https://theshopmag.com/news/dpi-off-road-brands-acquires-nitro-gear-and-axle-manufacturer/

Nitro's main warehouse I believe is still located in Cashmere, WA. I think they are manufactured in Korea. Yukon gears are also located in WA, but they dont mention that they're currently being made in the US. I doubt they are considering if they are, they would advertise "PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA" or something like that...

 

Yukon gears are made in China. Nitro and Revolution are made in Korea.

https://youtu.be/FiHDwNLJH5g