I finally took the dive and had 4.88s installed in my TJ. I've tried to figure out the best break-in procedure, but everyone seems to have their own opinion... and you know what they say about opinions...
So, what do you all recommend? Any of this based on actual experience? What works best? So far the only common factor is a 500 mile fluid change (some do it sooner, but still do it again at 500 miles).
Thanks!
Eric
The way my shop has stated I should go is to:
This 10 mile increment and under 50 mph wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to do it for 500 miles!
Eric
Bill,
You hear that service parts, that you buy from a dealership or aftermarket supplier, are equal to or better than OEM parts. Whom is one to believe?
You also hear about "lemons", which could be a vehicle that was put together wrong, or perhaps broken in wrong. Who knows? It does appear that the "fine honing" is not 100% reliable.
I picked up my Honda Civic at the dealership, and drove it 800 miles in a couple of days. It had been driven before that 200 miles from the dealership in Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. I am sure that it was driven at 75 mph, the speed limit on that stretch of I-25. I guess I got lucky, or the parts were honed like you say.
Earle
Bill,
Enclosed trailers are the best kind, in my opinion. Unfortunately, there are other things to do in life, besides play. You don't want your toys to get rained on. Here we have a problem with marmots eating electrical wiring too. I think this proves, that Darwin was not entirely right.
As for breaking in anything new, it is starting to seem like a good idea. You just don't know, and it probably won't hurt.
Earle
No, I can make time to drive much further than that... that isn't the issue. I actually pulled the miles/rest from Yukon's install instructions as well...
Great:
The more I read the break-in paragraph, the more it seems up to interpretation. So, are they recommending a cool down ONLY after the first few miles, then a fluid change at 500 miles? It really doesn't say to repeat that until you reach 500 miles. Poor wording...
I hit over 60 mph today for a moment (traffic, had to merge...). I've got over 125 miles on the gears, so I can't imaging I did any harm.
Don't get me wrong -- it's a struggle not to wheel it. I went on some light trails on Wednesday... figure those front gears need proper break-in too.. ;-).
There's going to be some good wheeling this weekend, too. I'll go and just avoid any of the big obstacles. No walls, waterfalls, or water fording for me... :-(.
Really want this to be done right -- I want another 100k miles out of this TJ! (61k so far...)
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