Installing Gears and Locker!!!!!

[jkade]

Anyone know a person that will set the rear end up around North Alabama, Atlanta area, or Southern Tennessee?

[see ten]

I had Coosa Valley Technical College (Rome GA) set mine up in a 66 4x4 I used to have. All it cost me was the parts. The students need the work for a project grade. I don't have the contact info for the school but I would think it would not be that hard to get. My brother was attending the college and took mine in for the swap. I would think as long as you could contact the instructor they could get you right in.

[PanelDeland]

If that doesn't work there's a 4X4 shop on hiway 41 in Marrietta that does them for 4X4's.Since they probably do quite a few they should be good.I don't know the pricing but it is probably cheaper to get it done right(students have to they are graded)than to buyt the parts and get it done over.

[uncle]

I think Southern Gear is in that area also, but I don't know what they charge.

[jkade]

Reckon the local trade school might do it? I know the instructor but I never thought about asking them.

[see ten]

I would say it's worth asking! The cheapest I've priced it around here is about $200 labor.

[jkade]

No luck at the trade school.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by jkade

No luck at the trade school.

What about the High Schools? Ours here have a Auto program

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

What about the High Schools? Ours here have a Auto program

AFTER RAISING THREE BOYS.... I DON'T THINK I'D LET A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WORK ON ANY PART OF MY TRUCK. JOHN

[jkade]

That is what I was talking about. I called the instructor and he said they didn't do it. The gm dealership will do it but I would rather take the rear end out and take it up there so they can work on it when they aren't doing anything else so I won't be charged for them having the blazer in the shop. i may go this route.

[LUV2XCLR8]

oic, I thought you meant u checked at a Votech college, my bad

[jamon8]

dont take the rear out

the only extra work the mech has to do is drive your truck to the lift and take the rear wheels off

it is actually eaisier to do a diff in the truck

you dont pay for the blazer bieng in the shop you pay the labor time and materials.

I was an assistant service manager at a caddilac dealership for a short period of time

[jkade]

Originally Posted by jamon8

dont take the rear out

the only extra work the mech has to do is drive your truck to the lift and take the rear wheels off

it is actually eaisier to do a diff in the truck

you dont pay for the blazer bieng in the shop you pay the labor time and materials.

I was an assistant service manager at a caddilac dealership for a short period of time

They told me if I took it out that they would work on it in their spare time and it would only cost what the book said.

[jamon8]

sounds like a scam to me because you should only have to pay what the book says anyway

[jkade]

Originally Posted by jamon8

sounds like a scam to me because you should only have to pay what the book says anyway

The book says it takes four hours but if it takes longer I have to pay the difference. Is that not how it is supposed to be? Should I only have to pay what the book says?

[BarryB]

Hey Jkade, They are not that hard to do, But sure can be intimadating. I have done a couple of these swaps no problem. I live in Northeast Tn so I am not much help to do it. All you really would need is a good dial indicator magnetic base . I picked mine up at the Harbour freight. I'll tell you what I did, before I did my first one. I asked a couple of guys about it and they showed how. I could explain it but my reply would be REALLY long.
As for the 4 hour bit shouldn't take that long. I beleive I had mine out and back in about 2. Now thats is how long it took me. Might take somebody else longer.

[Psycho71]

I agree w/BarryB. If the thought of doing it doesn't make you queezy, do it yourself. Like he said, the only special tool you'll need is a mag base and dial indicator. A set of calipers does come in handy too though. Just for checking shim thicknesses and such.

I did my gears, the first I'd ever even seen setup. It took me less than four hours, but my rear end was out of the truck. The next one wouldn't take me that long either. I quadruple checked everything I did. Richmond's website has a great set of instructions, w/illustrations of what the wear pattern should, and shouldn't, look like.

It certainly isn't a job just anyone should attempt. It took me a few days before I caught myself in the right mood to do mine. But it really isn't that hard to do. And extremely gratifying when you get done. I have hauled the boat to the lake many times and drove a few thousand miles since my attempt. Everything still works/sounds great.

Hope you get yours figured out quickly. If I were closer, I'd love to help. But I'll bet you get alot of people tell ya that,lol.


Jay

[jkade]

I ended up and installed them myself today and it only took about 2 hours with the rearend out of the blazer. I am glad I saved the $250.00. I got the backlash, preload, and the pattern all the way it is supposed to be. Thanks for all the advise. How much difference am I going to see from the 3:08 to the 3:73's?

[john]

About three miles per gallon. J/K no idea.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by jkade

I ended up and installed them myself today and it only took about 2 hours with the rearend out of the blazer. I am glad I saved the $250.00. I got the backlash, preload, and the pattern all the way it is supposed to be. Thanks for all the advise. How much difference am I going to see from the 3:08 to the 3:73's?

Go tell theChevy dealer it took two hours and suggest they lower their rates. They`ll prolly want to hire you.