How complicated is it to replace the front and rear ring and pinion gears on our truck? In the past I have rebuilt manual transmissions and built up roadracing motorcycles, as well as doing head gaskets, clutches, etc...

I like everything about our 2002 2500HD 8.1L/3.73 4x4 EXCEPT I would like to change to 4.10 gears.

I am assuming that after I pull out the existing gears and replace them with new parts, the assembly will have to be checked for proper alignment, backlash, tooth contact, etc and shimmed if necessary (not just bolt on and go).

If those additional steps are needed, any idea what a shop might charge for the front and rear, if I supply the gears?

Thanks for any info.
John

The additional steps are needed to ensure proper wear. I would recomend you find 3-4 different shops in your area and go with the middle of the road price not the cheapest. You also should be up front about supplying your own parts as the labor rate can change based on that with some shops. Off road shops normally do it for a reasonable rate and have competant mechanics.

besides those steps being needed it apparently takes special tools to setup and assemble everything right.

I had to replace ring/pinion/carrier out of my 10 bolt front axle.(previous owner blew it up somehow) for the cost of the ring/pinon/and new carrier with posi + install fees, the local 4x4 shop in washington state came to about $1800 if I remember right. they also did the install with axle still in the truck. no problems with it.

I recently wanted to add a posi to my 14bolt semi rear and after finding out without proper tools its hard to do, i decided to once again go to a shop. no 4x4 shops in this area(new jersey) but found a major driveline/axle shop. they will only do the install with the axle removed and prive for just the carrier/posi(and maybe new ring/pinion) and install fees would be about $2200 if I remember. thats if I took out the axle myself. the cost went up if they had to take the axle out. so thats on hold until I can find a 80's full floater axle.

so it really depends on where the shop is and what kind of shop.

man, that is an outrageous price!

The shops around here charge 300 for the labor to do the same. If they are charging you anywhere near that, buy the tools and get a video on it. If you have built the trannies and such, the R&P will be very doable...


You HAVE to get the wear pattern right, in my K-5, the front set up perfect the first time, the rear took me like 10 tries to get it right... each time you have to pul the carrier and torque everything down again and set your preload... REAL PITA.

If you can, I highly recommend pulling the diff to set it up - much easier.


In the end, I did both my axles with gears and auburn rear locker (welded up front) done deal for about 800 bucks IIRC, parts included.


WELL worth the investment... then you can charge your buddies to do it!

find someone with 4.10's who wants 3.73's and swap rear axle and front diffs

find someone with 4.10's who wants 3.73's and swap rear axle and front diffs

Only way to find one like that would be someone that had already put aftermarket gears in since the 8.1 has the same rear end 11.5 inch ring gear as the duramax. No stock 4.10 for it. Might find a lifted guy that wants to change gears..

JCStrasser - What city do you live in?

Dantheman-

The other coast- northern New England (New Hampshire) about an hour from the Canadian border- my daughter says we live in the middle of nowhere.

John

Man, and to think I used to only charge 100.00 each for setting up ring and pinions! And I turned down a job on doing a re-gear in a cj7 today, just because I am feeling lazy, it is getting cold out, and I still have one more elk tag to fill. Maybe I should just take my tools on airplane rides and do these set ups for you guys at half price of what your local shops are gouging!:eek:

It's not that hard with an investment in a couple of tools and PATIENCE to put it together and take it apart several times till you get it shimmed properly. I have done three now, including a dana 70 while underneath a motorhome that I did last night. We were REAL lucky it ran a nice pattern the first time! There are several sites that walk you through it. Try Randy's Ring and Pinion, IIRP.