Bonanza
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- Apr 22, 2020
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- Sport S Max Tow Punk'n
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Took us 3 days in a 110 degree shop, but we’re finally done. I wanted to post a few things, and my opinion, as I searched when I had a few tough spots and didn’t get much luck. Here we go!
Edit-- 200 miles in. So far so good, no leaks and no noises. Couple of things to note now that I've had some more seat time:
1.MPG improvement is [mixed]
2. Quality of life improvement is somewhat better-- it takes a lot less pedal, and a lot less pressure to both start off, and maintain any speed.
3. 4HI is usable. This is a big A-ha actually. Previously, I found 4hi to be fairly worthless. I used it a bunch this past weekend, as I could actually -go- without it bogging down or feeling like I needed to really give it gas.
Edit 2-- 500 miles in. MPG is 15.6. Bleh. Enjoying 4HI, but would be happier if the MPG increased instead of decreased.
Edit 3-- Did the oil change at 499.5 miles. Front was sparkling clean, which is to be expected from the lack of constant load. I did go into 4hi and 4lo, but it just isn't enough to get close to the rear. The rear's oil was much darker. The drain plug had a fair, but not excessive, amount of sludge with metallic crystals in it. No chunks, but more metal than I've seen in a drain pan. I pulled the cover to inspect the ring gear but I didn't see anything abnormal or even suspicious. (Even if I did, not much I could do, eh?) With 75-140 in now instead of 75-90, I saw a 19 mpg trip to work this morning all city. So we'll see how it goes.
Edit 4- Two gas tanks came and went after the oil change. MPGs are.... (drum roll).... 16.7. Literally the same as pre-gearing, to the tenth. I'm prepared to confirm that re-gearing from 4.10 to 4.88 will result in slim to no gas mileage increase.
Edit 5- Just filled up. 16.7 MPG per dash computer.
Edit6- 16.3 on this last tank. Camping trip up/down mountain, 4lo for some of it.
- I am in 8th gear a lot, but my current results indicate 0 to slim gas mileage increase.
- It still felt peppier stock. I like the 4.88s better than the 4.10, but its still super slow. Was not a day/night difference.
- If you’re doing the install yourself, the crush sleeve portion of the install was very challenging. We ended up chaining the flange to the LCA.
- We didn’t not need to use different shims- same setup from the factory
- A bolt on one of the ring gears seized and we had to cut it out. Oof
- Overall, knowing what I know now, 4.10s were fine enough and I probably wouldn’t say this is a must-do. There’s just so much involved with a regear that I wouldn’t recommend it unless you really hate the driving experience. This is absolutely not a DIY project
Edit-- 200 miles in. So far so good, no leaks and no noises. Couple of things to note now that I've had some more seat time:
1.
2. Quality of life improvement is somewhat better-- it takes a lot less pedal, and a lot less pressure to both start off, and maintain any speed.
3. 4HI is usable. This is a big A-ha actually. Previously, I found 4hi to be fairly worthless. I used it a bunch this past weekend, as I could actually -go- without it bogging down or feeling like I needed to really give it gas.
Edit 2-- 500 miles in. MPG is 15.6. Bleh. Enjoying 4HI, but would be happier if the MPG increased instead of decreased.
Edit 3-- Did the oil change at 499.5 miles. Front was sparkling clean, which is to be expected from the lack of constant load. I did go into 4hi and 4lo, but it just isn't enough to get close to the rear. The rear's oil was much darker. The drain plug had a fair, but not excessive, amount of sludge with metallic crystals in it. No chunks, but more metal than I've seen in a drain pan. I pulled the cover to inspect the ring gear but I didn't see anything abnormal or even suspicious. (Even if I did, not much I could do, eh?) With 75-140 in now instead of 75-90, I saw a 19 mpg trip to work this morning all city. So we'll see how it goes.
Edit 4- Two gas tanks came and went after the oil change. MPGs are.... (drum roll).... 16.7. Literally the same as pre-gearing, to the tenth. I'm prepared to confirm that re-gearing from 4.10 to 4.88 will result in slim to no gas mileage increase.
Edit 5- Just filled up. 16.7 MPG per dash computer.
Edit6- 16.3 on this last tank. Camping trip up/down mountain, 4lo for some of it.
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