I would like some opinions!

[Cr_Racer]

ok so i have an 85 efi runner with like new motor and it has stock gears and im running 33's! Its slow but it doesnt bother me none! now i had 35's and that was to slow but heres the deal! i dont have a crapload of money but i do have an extra transfer-case! So the question is should i get dual t-cases and save money or save money forever and get some gears? how much does dual t-cases help n e ways??? It has a 5 in front 6 in rear lift with stock shackles and im fabing up a set of 7 inch shakles tomarow! so i want some 35's or 36's. I mean it isnt that slow but its pretty slow and hard on the drivetrain and clutch! thanks dave!

[Cr_Racer]

o yea and also im gunna put the shacles on all the way around not just the rear! Is that stupid or can i still get by???

[88yota96taco]

Why are you yelling!

[Cr_Racer]

sorry i didnt no you could here me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can you here me now??? its just something i use cuz im interested. there theres your period.

[bbagwell]

Dual cases will make a big difference in your ability to crawl up and over things without have to go fast. It is easier on parts, and will make your truck more capable. I would get dual cases before ring and pinions, that is my opinion.

[ryan]

If this is a DD, than I would go with ring and pinion. If for off-road only, definatly go with the dual cases. My 85 pickup is off-road only and I have stock r/p and dual cases with 35's and love it. I figure I can replace the stocks for alot cheaper that some aftermarkets.

[fourwd1]

o yea and also im gunna put the shacles on all the way around not just the rear! Is that stupid or can i still get by???

If you have 6" of lift you should have plenty of room for 35" tires.
I'd avoid the shackles if possible. You can always add them later.

[fourwd1]

Oh yeah, dual cases will help a lot off road, proper gearing will help on and off road. If you drive to the trails, or especially if it's a DD, regearing will help the most.

[zig80toy]

I agree with these guys.
If you drive around town/use it to get to work than ring and pinion.
If its mainly a wheeler than go with the dual cases.
Realize that this is every wheelers conundrum. upgrading and modifying your rig is part of wheel'n. If you are planning on keeping this rig for any length of time than your probably going to end up with lower diff gears AND dual cases anyways. If it were me, i would probably save some $$$ and do the diff gears and put a locker in the rear at the same time, first. Then have fun wheeling it until you can afford the dual case setup. Reason i would do the diff gears first is to take some of the stress off your motor.

[brandon88]

shackles aren't bad if you do them all around. you get more flex they will elongate the spring which will flatten it out a bit which in turn makes more articulation I had 4 inch on my 85 and the 2 inch shackles and I noticed a difference but don't go outrageous. Then you have a problem with them dragging. just my 2 cents oh and I totally agree with everyone else it depends on what you use you rig for, on which item to get first.

[ZUK]

Cheapest isn't always bestest.... with big tire and dual cases, the driveline stresses are too far up the driveline....the old 410 ring and pinion with the loose carrier bearings and wobbly pinion will go BOOM!

I just talked to this guy and he loves the gear choice... http://gearinstalls.com/cosby571.htm

The right way to do it is move a portion of the gearing as far down the driveline as is feasable...in your case, 571 gears in the axles. The gears can be MOTIVE or PRECISION and properly installed. They will not let you down on the trail....as a matter of fact, with gearing in the axles and a kick in the transfer case, you will probably be the elected one to pull out the others that went a "cheaper route". :redspotda

[subliminaltrips]

10-4 on that zuk

[fourwd1]

Well d'uh.
Obviously the best choice is diff gears and t-case gears/dual cases.
Not everyone has that kind of $$$ to throw out all at once.

[r0nin89]

If the truck sees above 25mph then you need to do your ring and pinion. I plan to do dual stock cases in the future but as of now I dont see how these super low gears help so much unless its a rock crawler. Too bad you cant get gears like a zuks where it drops the hi gear 20% too.

[Cr_Racer]

damn i knew i came to the right site for plenty of feedback! Thank you for the opinions im just gunna make the shackles but not put em on yet cuz i always can whenever and yea the dual t-cases makes sense about dd and rock crawler so i have some money to be saving here cuz i do want a set of 571's. well thank you and ill tell you guys in about 20 years when i can afford r/p! thanks dave

[85yodaflatbed]

:redspotda
For my 85 SR5 33/12.50"s I just went to the wrecking yard and bought a complete rear housing from a 91 V6 Pickup (3" wider by the way) and a rear 3rd member from a 94 V6 4-Runner both 4:556 ratio's for $375.00 and new U bolts $25.00 took me about 3 hours total and way cheaper than 4:88 speedo is only 2 mph slow according to my GPS. WOW my truck is a 5-speed again better mileage and power. But a second transfer case is still on my list of many more things to do.
:redspotda