The 4.88 mega thread!!

I'll jump in and tell you my experience. I had them done several months ago by Martin mobile gear in Corona. It took about 90 minutes. Absolutely no diff noise. Very happy with the job and the gears.

Martin supplied the Nitro gears, I brought the ECGS bushing.

 

Can Martin mobile gear in Corona also supply the ECGS bushing, or do you need to bring it in? thanks! i am contemplating re-gearing as well..

 

Do they come to you to work on your truck? I also see that they have pictures with a jeep on a hoist. So do they also have a shop?

 

They worked out of a shop in Corona, but it wasn't theirs.

I don't know if Martin would buy the ECGS bushing for you. Just call and ask.

 

90 minutes to do both gears?

 

Yes. Martin worked on the rear gear and his helper on the front.

 

Damn, that's impressive. They usually quote 6-8 hours for each end.

Glad to hear you didn't get any diff noise. I didn't have any before the gears, but now I have the howl when I'm decelerating between 55-65 mph. We'll see how much grief the dealership gives me about the TSB next visit.

 

Anyone know of a solid shop in the New Orleans metro area? Also, If my goal is to simply make the truck “alive” which route to retain reliability and longevity a tune or re gearing. I don’t wheel or tow. Purely for go. TIA

 

I've never regeared, but I installed lockers and I'm very familiar with the regearing process. 6-8 hours is what it would take me to do one diff, if I had a lift and all the tools.

For a guy like Martin, who does this as a full time job, it becomes routine. I watched him work, and he breezes through all the steps.

That diff whine seems to be the luck of the draw... it's crazy. I didn't even follow to the letter the break in process and I had no issues at all. The diff fluid had no shavings.

 

It sure does. Who knows...I might even have had a slight howl beforehand and never noticed it. It's prominent now, though. ECGS has a disclaimer on their website that the noise is "normal" and will cause no damage. I had the shop check the install, shims, etc. I had a healthy amount of shavings when I did the oil change. If the TSB doesn't bring it back down I'll just have to name my taco the gray wolf. Always howlin'.

 

This guy seems to have a trick: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-5-29-mega-thread.557305/page-105#post-22489865

 

I have a Brand New in Box, Nitro Gear Package, 4;88 with OEM Locker for 2016+, REM polished, for sale. Major Medical problems kept me from having it installed. Willing to let the package go for $ 1300.00. Can deliver it anywhere between Reno Nevada and Sacramento, Calif. PM me if interested?

 

Hope you get well sir. Gears will always be there when you’re ready

 

Pulled the trigger and got 4.88's installed today. Have to say that the OVtune plus gearing has made this thing a pleasure to drive.
Got front and rear gearing done plus added an ARB locker to the rear. Used https://mobilegearinstallers.com/ in the SOCAL area. Cant recommend them enough. Getting about 1-2 MPGs better than i was before. I had never seen my truck getting into the 17.x MPGs before going to 4.88s

• Had me in and out in less than 3 hours
• price OTD was great
• 300 miles into the break in with about 100 in 4x4 no noises at all
• noise wise, its stock to me
• Felt really comfortable with Martin after learning his background experience
• 3 month warranty on workmanship. 2 years on parts

Couple of photos I snapped before they got into it.

 

What size tires?

 

I see you're Anoka I'm located in Otsego would you ever care to meet up and see what the 4.88s drive like I'm extremely tempted to pull the trigger this summer if I get the funds approved by the wife

 

For anyone who has added a rear ARB locker to a 3rg gen sport. Is changing the differential fluid a different now? procedure wise and fluid wise?

 

No there is no difference.

 

Does anyone know a respectable shop in Syracuse,NY area? TIA

 

Did you do the REM process on the gears?
Did you break them in on the normally 4+ hour drive back to Santa Maria?