The 5.29 Mega Thread!!

I’m part of the 5.29s gang now

 

Gotta love this. 74MPH on the satellite gps app and not even 3k RPMs on 35’s. That’s full of camping gear and going up the I-17. 4.0 v6 5spd AT

 

I put on 4.88s about a year and a half ago. At the time I was never expecting to go larger than stock+. Things changed.

Now I've got 10ply rated 33s, lift, a GFC, sliders, roof rack, and regularly tow a raft up to elevation. Around Denver the truck is fine, but when I'm towing in the mountains this sucker is a turtle.

Anyone moved from 4.88s to 5.29s and can comment on how much more pull you were getting? I know 5.29s are better, but are they THAT much better to justify another install?

 

I'm thinking @MESO went from 4:88's to 5:29's.

 

- 3.91 (factory) to 4.88 is a increase in ratio of .97.

- A .97 increase compared to 3.91 represents a 25% increase in ratio and resulting mechanical advantage with 4.88s.

- 3.91 (factory) to 5.29 is a increase in ratio of 1.38.

- A 1.38 increase compared to 3.91 represents a 35% increase in ratio and resulting mechanical advantage with 5.29s.

So based on that, you should notice about a 10% increase in torque over 4.88s (35% - 25%) if you bump up to 5.29s. That may be noticeable, but is less than half of the difference you noticed going to 4.88s from factory gearing. You already made a more drastic change.

 

I like how you explained that, thanks!

 

Makes sense, thanks. A lot of time that that extra 10% is much needed. I may see if I can sell my 4.88s here in the future.

 

Before going to 5:29’s and spending another ~$2500, you may want to consider getting tuned. Tuning makes a HUGE difference and worth every penny of the $300 most are charging to flash a tune to your truck.
I’m on 4:88’s and KDMax tuned....to me, the tune made as much (if not more) of a plus to performance gain than the 4:88’s alone did. Together, they work great! And, I’m also positive tuning would benefit 5:29’s if you did end up going that route later.

 

I'm on 4.88s and KDMax. The elevation is the main culprit...once I'm at about 7000+ feet, it's a power killer.

 

You got an 8.75" rear with locker?

 

yessir, sure do

 

Update on mine: Removed the ECT always ON mod. Had it for little over a year. Did like it but not anymore. i guess i grew out of liking the aggressiveness response of it when I already have 5.29.

 

Going to regear to 5.29 this year but Nitro Gear is back ordered until September. Shop can get Yukon 5.29s ordered and shipped within a week. Is one better than the other? What is everyone's experience with both Nitro and yukon gears. Thank you

 

Yukon may be slightly better.

 

I just got back from a trip to Northern AZ, first time in the mountains since 35’s and a snorkel. My motor now lugs under 2000RPM when I’m up around 7000ft elevation. No lugging issues back down in Phoenix. This trip has made 5.29’s a priority before I add any extra weight.

 

I just finished my install of 5.29s this weekend. Took my first drive to the gas station which was within 5 miles, about a 4 minute drive with traffic. Initial thoughts were why did I wait so long, it feels like nice clean shifts right through the lower gears. I also took a quick temp reading at the diff. It came back at 142. I plan to do a follow up video after the ECGS 500 mile break procedures where I will be monitoring temps in comparison to what I was getting stock which was between 98 to the 140s. I also realize I'm getting the temp from the exterior and with a less than professional laser measure, but it is something to compare. So far the highest I have seen while running errands on Saturday was 172. Here are a couple pics, cause you know everything is better with pics. The front diff was so much worse than the rear.


First reading geared at the gas station.


2nd reading geared after errands some highway with stop and go driving.


Random install pics. I will have videos of the instals up on the channel soon. There is a ton of footage and editing to go through.

 

Who’s gears did you use? Spec.

 

I just switched to 4.88. I'm on my fourth heat cycle. My last trip was about 16 miles of highway and I was getting 179*f with my laser deal. I wish I had thought to measure normal temps before swapping, but I would guess it's all good below whatever temp starts damaging the oil..... Whatever that is

 

Right now im running 295s with sliders, bed rack, roof tent, full aluminum skids. I will be adding a high clearance front and rear bumper in a year and going up to 315s. Would you guys recommend 5.29s or 4.88s?

 

You are holding that temp sensor too far away IMO. It does not measure temperature with the laser. The laser is just a pointer to help you determine what you are looking at. There should be a diagram on the side of the temp gun, or in the manual, that tells you how big an area it is averaging, from how far away. This is sometimes called the ‘measurement cone’. If that gun is beyond its “measurement cone” you are averaging everything in the field of view and we’ll get a lower temp reading as a result. If you know this all already, I digress. I have a Fluke version and it would be measuring a 2 foot wide circle at the distance it appears you are at.