Opinions/Advice

[vaTBguy]

My '04 TB has 3.42 rear and did not come with the g80 locker. I would like the advice and/or opinions of other members with more experience in this area as to whether or not I should install an aftermarket locker or find a compatible rear with g80.

[The Roadie]

What's your mission? Available trails and terrain? Do you go alone or with buddies? Tolerance and ability for self-extraction?

[TBYODA]

IMO I'd get a 8.6" open and put in powertrax locker, but it really depend on your mission. If you upgrade to a 8.6" axle you many options including the G80.

[vaTBguy]

My mission is for the truck to still function well as a daily driver as well as being able to handle intermediate trails. Living on the east coast the terrain won't be too terribly extreme with the exception of a good amount of mud at certain times of the year. Most of the time I will be alone unless it is during hunting season. Recovery gear is next on my list after the rear end is taken care of.

[vaTBguy]

As far as installing 8.6" axle are there any certain years/ models that it needs to come from? I apologize if that has been discussed already.

[ErikSS]

What tire size do you plan to run? There are charts and such on here that will help you make your choices. I'm terrible at finding them, maybe someone like Yoda will post a link for you. lol

[vaTBguy]

At the moment they are 31.5". They still have plenty of tread. When its time I may go to 33"

[v7guy]

It's hard to say, you're not gonna have a happy transmission with 3.42s and 33s, you'll probably want 4.10s or 4.56s... It'll improve gas mileage and ability.

I'd look at an 8.6 with an open rear (any year is fine since the 04 has the abs in the TC) and toss in an arb or a powertrax... I believe there's a grizzly locker for the 8.6 as well.

There's some other things to consider, but those are the quick answers

[TBYODA]

Even with 32" me thinks 4:10 would be a good choice. Don't forget if you go to a bigger gear in the back you'll need to swap the front diff also. and do you research. Check out the tech doc's at www.offroad.com

[HARDTRAILZ]

My '04 TB has 3.42 rear and did not come with the g80 locker. I would like the advice and/or opinions of other members with more experience in this area as to whether or not I should install an aftermarket locker or find a compatible rear with g80.

Since compatible means no front gear change...

Find an 8.6 w g80 or even 8.0 w g80...either w matching 3.42s... and be happy. Forget the rest since you are letting 3.42s limit you.

[Shdwdrgn]

I have an 8.0 G80 with 3.42s sitting beside the garage, but no way to ship it.

4.10's are great with 30.5" tires as well, even when doing 95 on the interstate. And shame on me for having changed gears over a year ago and STILL never got back in the mountains yet to check the difference. Just don't forget that if you change gears, you'll have to reprogram the computer as well, and that could cost up to a couple hundred (assuming you can even find someone who can do it correctly).

Compatible axles -- any 8.0 or 8.6 from 2002-2005 will bolt right up. If you're planning on hitting trails, definitely go for the 8.6 axle. I've seen G80's all over ebay, it shouldn't be too hard to find something with decent mileage and a decent price.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Compatible axles -- any 8.0 or 8.6 from 2002-2005 will bolt right up.

Why will the 2006-2009 not bolt up? It has been done several times. They suspension never changed. The only change was ABS and that is non-issue when putting newer into older.

[Shdwdrgn]

I just give that as the most 'simple' answer... otherwise you might see people freaking out in the middle of a swap because they don't have any wires to hook up the sensors on the new axle. Also because I personally don't know if there are any other changes to worry about. If you want a direct swap with no questions asked, then 2002-2005 is the safe answer. And I would expect that anyone who knew enough to make the appropriate adjustments would probably not be here asking this question.

[vaTBguy]

Thank you all for your input. I believe I'm going to look for an 8.6 3.42 g80 for now and go with it. I also have a b& m trans cooler in my amazon cart right now that I'm going to get either this Friday or next to give the tranny a little help.

[Trail X]

I still wouldn't do 33s with 3.42s... but it has been done before.

[vaTBguy]

If I stay with the 3.42s I'm most likely not going up to 33s. I'd like to but I've already put another transmission in the tb and I don't want to go through that expense again.

[Anthony Hernandez]

What part of va?

[vaTBguy]

About 15 miles south of Fredericksburg, 25 miles north of Richmond.