Question about swapping final drive

[leeson]

I use my truck for some towing and it has a hard time getting rolling in 1st with a load. It's a 2006 1500 2WD regular cab manual transmission 4.8L. I think it has the high final drive (3.55?). I realize it is not an ideal tow vehicle, but it's biggest problem is the gearing is too high. So, I'm wondering about swapping out for the 3.73 or 4.10 final drive. How is this done? Where do I get the parts? Is this a major undertaking or fairly straightforward? I might find a shop to do it but wanted to do some research first.

Thanks for any help.

One more thing: is it possible to add a leaf spring in the back? That would help too.

[NEUMANNZZ]

get an add a leaf kit for under 100 bucks.
figure out for sure what gears it has in the rear end check the glovebox for rpo codes then look em up online.

once you figure what you have we can make a decision.

regearing requires a retune to recalibrate speedometer. custom tune will help.

depending on what gears are in it might require a differential carrier change which will add to the cost.

[leeson]

It's a GU5, which is the 3.23. So, would you recommend the 3.73 then? What's the general procedure for swapping the gears?

[Chriscon7]

We have the same truck! Finally found someone with the 4.8 and manual trans, anyway I am also in the exact same boat as you. I have the g80 diff though and 3.23 gears. If I fork out the cash to re gear, Im going with at least 4.10's. I know what you mean when you say it doesn't wanna get moving very well with a load. Post some pics of the truck?

[leeson]

So how much does it cost to do the swap? What's involved?

[NEUMANNZZ]

I got 3.73 in my truck. I would go 4.10.

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/ring_and_pinions/gm_8.5_ring_and_pinions.html

750 will get you a posi; ring and pinion and master install kit.

Labor charges vary 200-1000. you can do it your self you just have to get the clearances right the first time follow the step by step instructions. search for instructions and how to videos.

[Chriscon7]

So how much does it cost to do the swap? What's involved?

Right now Im looking at around $600 for a True trac and 4.10 ring and pinion. Plus whatever it costs for the master install kit and then the shop i plan to go to charges $400 for install. Obviously you don't have to get a true trac diff which will make it quite a bit cheaper.
I wanted to to the install myself, but i realize there is just to much involved and i really don't want to get several hundred miles down the road and have the gears whining like a mofo cause i didn't get it perfect.

[leeson]

I got a quote for parts and labor for $950. Sounds good to me. The guy recommended going to the 4.10 gear. Before I do that I'm going to look into just swapping the whole rear axle with a junkyard one that already has the 4.10 and disc brakes so I can upgrade the brakes at the same time. Also got a quote for a set of coil-overs for $280 installed. There's an offraod shop here that does this stuff and that's what the guy said to do instead of adding a leafspring. With all that done I'll hopefully be able to actually tow at the truck's full towing capacity, which right now is not possible.