New Gears..... Update!

roadjunkie wrote:
You're assuming that the differential has synthetic oil in it when it doesn't. Synthetics are great in filtered systems like your engine but not differentials. I'm going to take the word of a guy who's family has been in the gear business since I was a kid.

I acknowledge your opinion even though I disagree with it. Why get something a couple of years newer than what I have now with absolutely no idea what it needs, what's been done to it or how it's been driven? I've spent close to $11k on my truck since I bought it 5 years ago and that includes the purchase price.

The dollars that I've spent on it has been for making it better, except for the rack and pinion steering that I replace for less than $300. I'd rather not spend my money on another used truck that I know nothing about and just maintain the one I have.

A 6-speed transmission would be great but think about how many trailers have been pulled all over the U.S. with 3-speed and 4-speed automatic transmissions. A 6-speed transmission, a massive diesel (expensive fuel and to repair), 4WD and 2500 or 3500 HD trucks aren't required to pull a 4000 pound trailer.

There are those who will argue that you need a $80k bass boat or a $250k bay boat to catch fish. We both know that's not true.

BTW... I've had more than one total stranger try to buy my truck. ;)

Grit dog wrote:
Hope they didn't charge more for "special" oil. Synthetic gear oil is pretty much standard and doing a gear swap doesn't make anything more special.

IMO, all that money into an old lower hp 5.3 with a 4 speed trans is not money well spent. The couple grand...or more...spent on all the work would go a long ways towards getting either another 1500 couple years newer with 6 speed and deeper gears or a 2500 that is just better suited for towing if you're not happy with the current performance.
Just my 2c.