3.08 to 4.10 gear swap

[BigSexy78]

I have a 1978 c10 w/ I think are 3.08 gears(gona check to make sure) tht I'd like to swap to 4.10s and from what I read I need a different differential carrier so far all I can find is lockers/limited slips which are pretty expensive is there anyway I can get a open differential for a lot cheaper or some kind of adapter for mine?

 

[SkinnyG]

You might find someone selling an open carrier who has swapped in a limited slip.

I went from 3.07:1 and open to 3.73 and limited slip, and I tell you - I wouldn't go back. I am SUPER happy with the limited slip.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

12 bolts are PITA to many carrier variants. 8.5s are a bit simpler and I have a surplus of them. 30 and 28 spline.

 

[BigSexy78]

I'd really like to have a limited slip or locker but it's kind of out the budget right now but I was lookin around some more and it looks like Richmond gear sells an aftermarket set of 4.10s to fit the 3.08 carrier?

 

[MikeB]

Here is an R+P set with a"thick" ring gear for 3.42 and down carriers. I used one of their thick gears once in a 7.5" diff, and it worked great. No downside that I can see.

https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=549&Source=DiffWizard&ShowAA=true

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Here is an R+P set with a"thick" ring gear for 3.42 and down carriers. I used one of their thick gears once in a 7.5" diff, and it worked great. No downside that I can see.

https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=549&Source=DiffWizard&ShowAA=true

That's what Ford did with the 9" just used thicker ring gears. Spacers are not a good idea nothing like asking for trouble by putting your ring gear bolts in double shear. Seen a few times cuts the bolts right off. Kinda makes a bit of a mess in there.

 

[MikeB]

Yes, the fewer the parts the better. BTW, the Yukon R+P sets are really nice--very easy to get a perfect pattern, and no noise at all. That said, they are expensive. Think I'll try SVL by Dana next time.

I'm sure the Richmond stuff will work fine, but they are known to be noisy. Maybe not an issue under an old pickup.

 

[BigSexy78]

Yes, the fewer the parts the better. BTW, the Yukon R+P sets are really nice--very easy to get a perfect pattern, and no noise at all. That said, they are expensive. Think I'll try SVL by Dana next time.

I'm sure the Richmond stuff will work fine, but they are known to be noisy. Maybe not an issue under an old pickup.

Between all the wind noises from bad seals and the plan for headers with header mufflers for exhaust I'm not worried about the noise lol but thanks for the warning

 

[Honky Kong jr]

My Richmond 4.10 gears I put in my S10 were a bit whiney but as stated there are plenty of sounds to drown it out.

 

[4WDKC]

One thing to consider is maybe swap in complete axles that have the gears you want already. I jumped from 342s to 410s by swapping to 3/4 axles check craigslist in your area for price on axles. My reason was $200 x2 for sets of gears + $? x2 for carriers + install price (if you cant do it yourself) added up to more than the price for used axles in my area.