Should I rebuild rearend

The rearend in my car (that I know of) has 180k mikes on it. I bought a new set of 3.73’s and rearend rebuild kit not knowing that my Roush had 3.55’s in it….I assumed it had 2.73’s like my 2002. A buddy told me with my 76mm turbo build I’d want to keep the 3.55’s and not do 3.73’s. I’m pulling the rearend for sand blasting and paint and HATE to put it back in without a rebuild…..but if it’s not necessary then why do it. I thought about keeping the gears and just putting the new bearings and seals in it but if it ain’t broke, why Jack with it I guess. I dunno, thoughts?

Decisions....decisions.....it's you're money, time, labor. You decide.

I'm still on my original rearend and had no issues with about the same mileage. Gonna keep running it that way until something happens though I'm fairly conservative so I expect she'll keep going without any trouble for at least several more years. You can always sell the 3.73's and rebuild kit but it if wasn't that much you might want to keep them until that day when you do need it.

Best regards,

Unless you plan on returning the gears? If you gonna pull it; rebuild it. Otherwise, you will always question yourself.

Had to rebuild mine with many less miles. Previous owner abused the poop out of it.

Any of.the seals showing any signs of leakage, however minor?
Since it is out, I would put in new seals, and fluid. If its not making any noise, bearings are fine. If you find anything worn, you can decide at.that time to go ahead and rebuild it.
Thats what I would do at.that milage.

I liked my 3.73s.

The car was pretty ragged out when I got it so I’m sure it had the crap beat outta it. Almost didn’t buy it but when I popped the hood the motor looked great. No mods visible and all the wires and plastic were clean. I’m leaning more toward rebuilding it I guess….just not sure what gears to run, maybe try to trade my 3.73’s for new 3.55’s. I ran 3.73’s on my KB setup and loved them, dunno how they do with a turbo setup

I didn't hear any mention clutch packs. I'm assuming stock 8.8. With having a turbo, I might be concerned about them starting to fail with that many miles. When I put my Whipple on I already swapped to an Auburn Pro center chunk and welded axle tubes and whatnot. But I knew I was going to beat on her at the track. If you're going to be pushing it I might think about swapping the center diff too, or at least upgrading the clutches.

Does your car still leave two black marks? Does it smoke just the inside tire on hard right turns? If it does the latter you may want to rebuild/replace the clutches. If you do, make sure you get the carbon clutch disks(3L1Z-4947-BE). A truetrac is a good alternative if the carbon clutches don't come off national back order anytime soon.

Eaton Tru-trac LSD for street use..... and the HD Tru-trac for strip use.

If you are going to sand blast it, any moving parts, including fasteners won't be happy after the fact.

I would strip the housing completely for blasting, or wire wheel it.

What transmission do you have?
There is so little difference between the 3.73's and 3.55's performance-wise that it isn't going to matter much.
The factory setup 3.55's with fresh seals and. Trutrac diff would be my choice.

I have a built motor 69mm turbo car with a tr6060 and I swapped my 4.10's back in after switching back to the 3.55's after realizing other people saying "turbos like taller gears" only applies to race cars that have a tendency to overpower their torque converters.
My car is way more fun with the 4.10s and was 3/10ths and over 5 mph quicker in the 1/8th mile due to being able to load it up in 3rd gear rather than crossing the stripe after just shifting into it.