Gear install - DIY or Shop

[Chevy1TonFun]

I bought new gears for my front D60. I have never installed a set of gears before. Should I give it a shot or just take it to a shop to have installed? I'd like to give it a try, but I'm worried about jacking crap up. Thanks in advance for the input.

['63GENIII]

I was going to do my own on a CC Dually 4x4 conversion that I had built. The front was 4:11 and the rear was 3:73. After a little research, I brought it to Rearend Specialties in San Jose and they knocked it out in 3 hours. There was no way I could have done it faster or cheaper by the time I had bought the tools to do it, let alone possibly setting it up wrong and smoking a new gearset. I've heard that once you've done a few of them, they are fairly easy but I couldn't afford the education. I'd check with a local shop that does alot of them. They'll know all the shortcuts

[msgross]

I agree... depends how much wheeling you do...

I would never do the rear but might attempt the front.. I don't use the 4WD much so getting it "close enough" would probably work for me. But the rear is used 100% of the time so I want a pro... I bet a shop will do it for $100-$150...if you have the parts

[LONGHAIR]

Definitely not a DIY. Find a good local shop. You get a warranty and miss out on the headaches.

[Burt4x4]

Ya I would take it in unless you really want to learn and trust you can do it right. I did it ONCE..both front and rear in my driveway/garage and it took me 4 weeks and 4 cases of beer to get the job done
Lots of research on the internet..checking and double checking...tearing it down..put it back..tearing it out agin..put it back...
It was an experiance but now a days I pay to have gears put in...

[rayfinseats]

All you basically have to worry about is backlash and gear contact. You'll need a dial gauge and that yellow paint stuff that comes in the install kits. You'll probably need a press for the pinion gear. If it uses a spacer instead of a crush sleeve on the pinion just get a new bearing and hone it out till it slips on the pinion by hand. Once you get it shimmed right, you can press on the new bearing.

[snj8198]

I am merely a shade tree and trail side mechanic with enough tools to get myself into trouble and (if lucky) get half way out. I have done my own R&P installs on a 10 bolt front, 12 bolts, D44, and 14 bolts. "IF" a guy has his choice, start with the ff14 bolt for an easier first time experience. I am pleasantly surprised with my installs, and the gears' longevity are leaving me with some confidence building results. The last time I paid a shop to set R&P was 10 years ago. A front swap cost me $500 in labor, the rear $400, I had all parts in hand. I vowed to never do that again. After watching a hand full of live installs, and plenty of videos, I started doing them myself.

If I knew this was an occasional experience I would take mine in to a shop. If a guy plans to monkey around with offroad rigs and tire size changes that necessitate gear swaps then now is the time to learn. It will save you labor money that you can use to buy tools with! But if this is to be an occasional experience, I would take it in and save the potential headaches.

Sorry for getting all excited,

-steve

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by snj8198

A front swap cost me $500 in labor, the rear $400, I had all parts in hand.

Around here that is too much money. It really shouldn't cost much more than half that...

[snj8198]

Ya it sure was, I know better now. Young and dumb then. Now, just dumb.

[ryanroo]

r&p is a pretty easy set up. 14 bolts are the easiest thing to learn on, but danas are not that bad. some kits come with a crush sleeve you can use on 60s, but it is definately better to use the shim set up. as said a set up bearing can be used on the pinion and carrier to make lif a little easier. alot of gear sets will have a number engraved on the pinion that gives you a decent starting point for depth, but if not the shim pack that came out of it is always a good place to start. backlash and depth, get both in tolerance and you should be good. if time is not a concern i say do it yourself. its not that hard, and its a good thing to know

[67_SS396]

If you have the tools, patience and able to research, it's not hard. The 14FF has to be the easiest to set up, then the 60 with a close second.
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[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by rayfinseats

All you basically have to worry about is backlash and gear contact.

Yeah, that's all

Originally Posted by ryanroo

r&p is a pretty easy set up.

Uh, no.....It's very easy for a beginner to screw-up.
It is just not an easy project. There are lots of steps involved and it must be done perfectly. "Good enough" is not good enough

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Yeah, that's all




Uh, no.....It's very easy for a beginner to screw-up.
It is just not an easy project. There are lots of steps involved and it must be done perfectly. "Good enough" is not good enough

its easy for a beginner to mess up valve cover gaskets too. its still easy if you understand the process. there are lots of steps to build an erector set bridge. just because someone is a beginner does not mean that they are not able to set up gears in a an acceptable manner. i was a beginner the first time i did it. still came out fine.

ryan

[Chevy1TonFun]

Well I called around. Its $600 everywhere I called. I'll be giving myself an education on how to setup a r&p.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

its easy for a beginner to mess up valve cover gaskets too. its still easy if you understand the process. there are lots of steps to build an erector set bridge. just because someone is a beginner does not mean that they are not able to set up gears in a an acceptable manner. i was a beginner the first time i did it. still came out fine.

ryan

If it was easy, it would be cheap.....It's not, so it's not.

I have absolutely no interest in debating you, but I feel that it is my responsibility to share my experience. I did this for many years, with all of the proper tools and training, many times with extremely low gears and they are far more touchy. More than a few were replacements for people who tried it for themselves.

I'm not saying that it can't be done by printed (or video) material, but a guy had better be very well prepared....and it's just not worth the effort and expense required when you can hire it done and get a warranty too.

I was a beginner the first time too, but I did have an experienced Pro helping.


BTW, valve cover gasket failure is far less catastrophic

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Chevy1TonFun

Well I called around. Its $600 everywhere I called. I'll be giving myself an education on how to setup a r&p.

Call more places. It is $200 flat up here.

[parrisc19844x4_468]

I just checked with my neighbor who has his own shop, mostly works on pulling tractors and trucks, he is saying 2.5 hours for the rear and 3 hours for the front for a GM 10 bolt 8.5. He charges $45 per hour so I know where I am going.