8.8 31 spline carrier install?

[beaujt]

i called the local place that does gears, and turns out its gonna cost $700 after parts, labor, and all the little extra stuff... SO i figured i could just order a carrier with the R&P all set up for quite a bit less and install the carrier myself. How much easier is it to install the carrier as opposed to doin the whole job? just wanting to make sure i don't get in over my head on this one.

 

[PlumCrazy]

i called the local place that does gears, and turns out its gonna cost $700 after parts, labor, and all the little extra stuff... SO i figured i could just order a carrier with the R&P all set up for quite a bit less and install the carrier myself. How much easier is it to install the carrier as opposed to doin the whole job? just wanting to make sure i don't get in over my head on this one.

What do mean by the "whole" job?

 

[beaujt]

cause the R&P come already set-up in a carrier right? I was thinking i just pull the old carrier out and put the new one in? or do i have the set the R&P up too even though they are in the carrier?

I don't know a whole lot about gears, so maybe i sound pretty ignorant.

 

[Downey]

this isnt a ford 9 inch we are talking about there is no such thing as already set up 8.8. you might have the ring gear already bolted to the carrier but nothing else. every rear axle is different so you need different shims on the sides and the crush sleep for the pinion and all that. do you know anything about setting up gears?

 

[PlumCrazy]

The pinion is not part of the carrier. it goes into the housing with its own set of shims to set pinion depth. The ring is bolted to the carrier and then the carrier is put in the housing. You then have to shim it side to side until the pinion is making equal contact.

if you dont know how the 8.8 is setup, you would be better off taking it to a shop. You can bolt you ring on and buy master install kit your self, then take it to the shop and have them setup to save a little money.

-plumcrazy

 

[beaujt]

ive been working on cars and trucks since i was 8. i haven't dove in the rear-ends cause i don't wanna jack something up. i'm learning about setting up gears right now, thats why i'm asking questions right now too. i know ya need different shims, thats why i was asking. sounds like you're telling me just spend the 700 to get the gears done as opposed to doin it myself.

 

[Downey]

yeah because if you get it up wrong you could cause 1000s in damage. it take alot of special tools and shit that cost alot more than 700. and it take alot of know how

 

[beaujt]

i just hate paying people to work on my truck. its mine, i'd rather do the work myself. but once i get out of college, then i'll just start another ranger and do the gears in that one.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Does 700 include the cost of gears and install kit? If it does, its not that bad of a price, but I am sure you could find somewhere cheaper. Thats why I was telling you to but everything you need and do everyting you can, that way all you have to do is take them the housing and carrier and have them set it up. that way all you are paying is labor. I am sure you can handle sliding the axles in and dropping in the c-clips, as well as bolting the cover on and filling it up.

-plumcrazy

 

[4x4junkie]

If you're looking to learn the ins & outs of installing gears, check these links out:

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/gears.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Gear_Setup/
http://www.gearinstalls.com/


Gear setup can be a daunting task, but if you got some mechanical knowledge, it shouldn't be too difficult once you have the proper tools. You do need to have plenty of patience though...

Those links came in real handy when I did the axles on my BII for the first time some years ago.

 

[beaujt]

Does 700 include the cost of gears and install kit? If it does, its not that bad of a price, but I am sure you could find somewhere cheaper. Thats why I was telling you to but everything you need and do everyting you can, that way all you have to do is take them the housing and carrier and have them set it up. that way all you are paying is labor. I am sure you can handle sliding the axles in and dropping in the c-clips, as well as bolting the cover on and filling it up.

-plumcrazy

yeah it was for the gears and install kit, but i know i can save myself about $100 on the gears and install kit if i buy em. then $300 for the labor(flat rate). Yeah i can handle taking the axle shafts out, i'll prolly get my cousin to come help me or something cause more the merrier! haha. i just don't have another set of wheels outside of my truck, and i know my dad will go off the wall if leave my truck in our shop for more than like 2 days.

If you're looking to learn the ins & outs of installing gears, check these links out:

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/gears.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Gear_Setup/
http://www.gearinstalls.com/


Gear setup can be a daunting task, but if you got some mechanical knowledge, it shouldn't be too difficult once you have the proper tools. You do need to have plenty of patience though...

Those links came in real handy when I did the axles on my BII for the first time some years ago.

That Pirate one, really good! thanks for direction 4x4junkie... one of these days i'll wind up doing gears in something when i'm not in college