Gear modification on used Gladiator I bought -- feedback?

[khoeysr]

Hey everybody. I purchased a lightly used 2021 Gladiator with a number of mods. One mod was replacement gears. Here is how the invoice for the work describes it:

4.88 gears DANA 44
4.88 gears rear DANA 44
4.88 gears DANA44 front install kit
4.88 DANA 44 rear install kit

Why would an owner want to do this mod? What does it do for you?

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[NachoRuby]

Easier pulling for towing and heavy loads, and better crawl ratio for off-road.

The truck should struggle less uphill, and it should slow crawl better, as well as accelerate better. It should climb hills much better.

It might use slightly more gas, since the RPMs will be higher all the time. But maybe not though, if it's got larger tires and was lugging with stock gearing.

You're lucky to get one already done. Especially with Mopar parts, to preserve powertrain and axle warranty.

 

[The White Rabbit]

Also allows for larger tires without power loss. Give you access to all 8 on automatic with 35’s & 37’s

 

[khoeysr]

You're lucky to get one already done. Especially with Mopar parts, to preserve powertrain and axle warranty.

Wow, is this correct? Could be huge because the rear end exploded last Friday around 300 miles. . It's was flatbedded to the dealer and now awaiting diagnosis.

 

[jac04]

Wow, is this correct?

I doubt it. The way you quoted the invoice, it doesn't state that they are genuine Mopar parts, or even Dana Spicer parts for that matter. If the invoice has part numbers you can look them up to see what they are.

Even if they are Mopar parts, this doesn't mean that your factory powertrain warranty is preserved since the vehicle didn't come with 4.88 gears from the factory. However, if they are indeed Mopar parts, then the Mopar Parts warranty may cover them if they fail. I say may because I'm not sure how the Mopar Parts warranty works for replacement Mopar Parts that are used as an upgrade.

 

[HorneyBadger]

If the dealer performed the swap then it should be covered by drive train warranty. It may not be covered if you are running tires larger than 37's.

 

[rharr]

You bought a used truck with altered parts. I suspect you will have to pay out of pocket for this repair. There are to many opportunity for ppl to point fingers and blame others to avoid cost to themselves.

Caveat emptor

 

[khoeysr]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Still waiting for a diagnosis.

 

[khoeysr]

Truck was dropped off Friday night. It''s Thursday and I'm still waiting to hear from the dealer. I want to hear, but then I don't, if you feel me.

I think it's going to be big.

 

[u-joint]

Hey everybody. I purchased a lightly used 2021 Gladiator with a number of mods. One mod was replacement gears.

Wow, is this correct? Could be huge because the rear end exploded last Friday around 300 miles.

Am I to understand that you purchase a used 2021 Gladiator that had about 300 miles on the clock, and it was already modded (including gears)?

I know a few local dealers install mods on new vehicles to help up the price. There's a chance these were installed by a dealer themselves before it was even sold the first time.

I'd do some research to see if you can track down the dealer who originally sold this, and determine if they were the ones who installed these.

FWIW, most gear shops recommend 500 miles as a break-in period for new gears. These are well still within that period. You (and the previous owner) should have been keeping this under 55 MPH, and keeping trips to a minimum to ensure a proper break-in. Additionally, most gear shops want you to come back after that and they'll check to ensure everything is still as it should be.

My guess is that none of this was conveyed to you?

 

[khoeysr]

Am I to understand that you purchase a used 2021 Gladiator that had about 300 miles on the clock, and it was already modded (including gears)?

I know a few local dealers install mods on new vehicles to help up the price. There's a chance these were installed by a dealer themselves before it was even sold the first time.

I'd do some research to see if you can track down the dealer who originally sold this, and determine if they were the ones who installed these.

FWIW, most gear shops recommend 500 miles as a break-in period for new gears. These are well still within that period. You (and the previous owner) should have been keeping this under 55 MPH, and keeping trips to a minimum to ensure a proper break-in. Additionally, most gear shops want you to come back after that and they'll check to ensure everything is still as it should be.

My guess is that none of this was conveyed to you?

Jeez, Dad. .

Just kidding. To answer you, "My guess is that none of this was conveyed to you?", in a word, no. I just spoke with the dealer and it looks like some type of bolt or clip, very simple part, was not replaced during the mod process which enabled all the fluid to leak out of the rear diff and eventually shred it. They're still working on the estimate. Could be an expensive lesson for yours truly, thinking with my little head again.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Jeez, Dad. .

Just kidding. To answer you, "My guess is that none of this was conveyed to you?", in a word, no. I just spoke with the dealer and it looks like some type of bolt or clip, very simple part, was not replaced during the mod process which enabled all the fluid to leak out of the rear diff and eventually shred it. They're still working on the estimate. Could be an expensive lesson for yours truly, thinking with my little head again.

An expensive lesson for you?

Who installed the gears and how long ago?

 

[khoeysr]

An expensive lesson for you?

Who installed the gears and how long ago?

I think I know but I'm trying to confirm. The work was done 10/1/21 at 43 miles. I bought the truck in Feb at 91 miles. The ear end said goodbye at 339 miles.

Dealer gave me a copy of the invoice but customer and shop info was blocked out. Having a hard time getting vendor info from the dealer, which tells me something. I haven't told them about what happened yet.

 

[Mac]

I would think you would have some type of used car warranty from the dealer you bought it from given how recently you purchased it, regardless of the factory warranty.

 

[Blade1668]

Best of luck to you on this, to many what if's and who did's on this. Be ready to replacement axle cost.. Proving who or how said bolt wasn't tighten or removed is going to be a bitch. No sugar coating. Especially with a gear swap and not knowing/ following gear break-in. Might be time for price checking Mopar axle with 4:88 vs aftermarket one.

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