Well... I bit the bullet over the holiday break and got the new gears installed. Went with the 4.56's. As a last minute sanity check I talked to the guys at the shop about 4.11's vs 4.56's and they said the 4.11's aren't that big of a step up from the 3.73's and that I wouldn't even feel the difference. So stuck with the 4.56's.
I must say I'm happy with the results! Where she used to labor to keep speed on a gradual incline she now maintains speed with little effort. On steeper grades, where I would need to keep pushing the accelerator while still losing speed until she down shifted, I now get a good response, sometimes even while staying in OD. Overall she just feels lighter and more responsive.
I do need to get my computer updated because while with the 35" tires I ran about 10% faster than speedo, I'm now running about 10% slower than the speedo. I must say that the difference, while noticeable and positive, it wasn't extreme... so I can see why they said the 4.11's wouldn't be noticeable, certainly much more subtle. Speedo would have been correct though
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Rear end ready to be re-installed... old ring & pinion and diff in the back.
Front end close to being done. I decided to go ahead and have front and rear lockers installed. Almost decided to pass on the fronts and put the money towards a winch but my testosterone kept me from making such a practical decision.
When they asked where I wanted the switches... I thought the left side of the dash, right above the hood release would be the easiest.... OR... tucked away where the ash tray was. I think they couldn't pass on the opportunity to put them somewhere inconspicuous for that James Bond look... glad they were willing to go to the trouble to mount them there!
