Thoughts on 4.88 vs 5.29 longevity

Dealer do the flash?

 

3rd party tuner. Lots of options and different software out there. HP Tuners and VF Tuner are the main software.

 

What about future fixes or any dealer work? The flash cause troubles or problems for diagnosis? Done my diesels but never a Toyota

 

I remember watching this thread earlier this year, but missed the last few messages. Good info in here. For any future readers, here are some additional data points not focused on 35s.

2019 Limited running 275/70/18 Falken Wildpeaks (33.4" and about 100lbs total per corner) with Nitro 5.29s and a Powertrax Grip Pro.

@65mph: 2000rpm
@70mph: 2200rpm
@75mph: 2450rpm

Towing in S4 with a locked converter puts me at 3400-3700rpm between 65 and 70mph.
Towing in S5 with a locked converter drops me by about 700rpm.

Reduction in the Calculated Engine Load % (as presented via OBD Fuzion) across all scenarios by anywhere between 12-20 on average.

 

So I went with 5.29 (REM and Cryo) and, oh boy, I'm glad I did! Feels like a different truck. Thanks for the input @dirtydeeds

 

Been very happy with my 5.29s too

 

Where's everyone ordering their regear kits and LSDs from? I'm getting some noise/occasional clunking from the rear end when turning left so I'm preparing for the worst and assuming its on its way out with 270k miles (plus I want to add an actual limited slip and plan to go to 34s or bigger so a regear is in the picture as well since I'll be tearing into it anyway)

I checked out SDHQ and it's $1700 for front and rear Nitro 5.29s or 4.88s. I've heard good things about Powertrax and Eaton LSDs, just wanting to hear opinions on what/where to buy them (and also if anyone knows anyone reputable to install in the Lincoln/Omaha Nebraska area).

I'm purposefully listing limited slip instead of an air locker as I use my truck mostly for on-road driving. The occasional offroad is in mud, gravel, snow, etc. and I don't really want to add the extra cost of a air compressor and wiring in a switch right now.

Maybe I'll add an air locker for the front sometime, but that time is a long way from now lol.

 

I just shopped around for the best pricing on the Powertrax. I think ECGS was the cheapest for that at $560-600. Nitro had a sale for full front/rear kits at $1400 when I pulled the trigger.

Hope that helps with ballpark numbers.

 

Got my nitro 5.29 on black Friday at SDHQ for $200 off. Got the powertrax on summit racing.

 

Had a buddy with a shop order my gears straight from Nitro 3 years ago, and I paid his cost. Saved a few hundred bucks.

I found my Grip Pro LSD on Amazon of all places. Think I paid a hair under $600 for that. Their algorithm figured that it was selling again, because the price shot up the next day.

Same thing happened when I ordered my Icon hydro bump kit from Walmart online. That was weird that they had them for sale, but they arrived brand new, sealed in Icon packaging. They were 25% less than anywhere else, and price went up right after I bought. Did that with a Blackstone grill a few years ago, too.

 

Reading all the feedback here, I've decided to go Sierra front and rear lockers, 5.29, REM and Cryo for my 9.5 inch rear end. I called DirtyDeeds, Keith, so we'll see what he says. Whatever the price is, it is what it is because I trust his work.

I'm not going the LSD route because I really don't see the point in needing it. I never tow anything, and if I ever do, it will be less than 100 miles maybe once a month at most within the next 3 years.

 

Just give a call. I’ll get the parts on their way asap. 760-877-4234.

 

Just a comment but you do know the difference between a locker and an LSD right? Two very different things.

Personally I did 5.29's and no LSD or locker and haven't had any complaints towing or even after being boosted.

 

Yeah I have been reading about it. I offroad a ton and there have been several times that a locker would have been useful.

Regarding the regear, with a 3.5" lift on 35s and a 4.6L, even if I wasn't offroading it would still be good to regear. Can I can by with not regearing? Yeah sure and it's been working out.

Everytime my truck touches sand or moon dust, I get stuck even with auto-LSD and aired down. 4WD doesn't help with the sand or moon dust. Sure, there have been some moments where I have made it out, but there have also been other moments where I had to get saved by someone else. A locker would have saved me because I just spin one tire all day.

 

“Auto” LSD = open diff and ABS.
There is nothing more to the OEM “Auto” option than that.
A genuine LSD, or locker, is an incredible step up in traction performance. For a daily driver that hits some trails, LSD gets my vote wheel it harder than that? Electronic locker would’ve my choice.