Project 4x4 Commuter Mazda

[Grunizzle]

I joined a local 4x4 club and there were several members that did gear setups for cheap, mine was $250, so I would recommend looking into that in your area as well. Also $300 is stupid expensive for an exploder 8.8. I picked mine up off craigslist for $100 already pulled. And pick and pull I think sells axles for about $200.

 

[rathranger]

I payed $520 for gear install front and rear and put LS in the rear
and payed 900 for all the parts. But the place i went to is an offroad type place not just a regular shop

 

[legoms013]

I joined a local 4x4 club and there were several members that did gear setups for cheap, mine was $250, so I would recommend looking into that in your area as well. Also $300 is stupid expensive for an exploder 8.8. I picked mine up off craigslist for $100 already pulled. And pick and pull I think sells axles for about $200.

Yes I know, I'd rather mentally jack the price up so when I see an axle on craigslist for $200 all built I think to myself, wow thats a helluva deal and then promptly scoop it up. and last resort I have a pick n pull about 5 mins from where I live. I suspect I'll pick one up from either pick n pull or craigslist. Good idea on the 4x4 club.

I payed $520 for gear install front and rear and put LS in the rear
and payed 900 for all the parts. But the place i went to is an offroad type place not just a regular shop

The place that comes to mind when you say offroad shop (at least in my area) is WFO Concepts in Auburn, they are great guys to deal with. I have no idea on their pricing though. When comes the time they'll be the first people I'll call. Then after that there is 2 other just ring & pinion shops that I've hear good things about in my area as well. Their prices I can almost guarantee will be higher though as thats all they do.

Nathan, I have a 20 ton portable shop press, will that work? As far as the other tools, I have a 100 lb ft torque wrench, and can get a 250 lb ft from work....the others I could buy. Thats a surprisingly small list of specialty tools (I have all the other common stuffs).

 

[Kyle M.]

You will need a bearing splitter/puller also. I do all my own gears and really it is easy if you use common sense(witch it appears you have some) I would do it yourself. You could mess it up and redo it for less than paying someone else. There are plenty of write ups going step by step.

Buy the tools and do it yourself.

 

[legoms013]

You will need a bearing splitter/puller also. I do all my own gears and really it is easy if you use common sense(witch it appears you have some) I would do it yourself. You could mess it up and redo it for less than paying someone else. There are plenty of write ups going step by step.

Buy the tools and do it yourself.

I think I am going to try, unless I come across someone who will do it locally for fairly cheap that I just can't pass up.

Plus my dad may split the cost of tools because he needs to regear a chevy 44 for his Jeep CJ-5 this spring. Then both of us will know how to do it and we can maybe make a little money on the side doing some regearing here and there.

We'll see. the 3.73's aren't treating me too bad on the highway (2200 rmps @ ~71 mph). I'm set to get about 260-270 miles on this tank, which will be about 15.5 mpg.

For now I have 3 things I want to do:
Back rack,
Constant duty ViAir Compressor,
Rock lights/ back-up lights.

 

[kris97ranger]

where are you going to put the back up lights? other then the rear of the truck lol. im just asking because i had them under my rear bumper and they didnt last a day thanks to rocks, and ive had them at the fron of my bed by the rear window and they pretty much just lit up the bed

 

[4.0B2]

always try it yourself, i've been able to do it since i was 14, its easy...

my 8.8 with disc's only cost me $75 on CL, but i gotta regear it.. which i'm working on now.

 

[legoms013]

where are you going to put the back up lights? other then the rear of the truck lol. im just asking because i had them under my rear bumper and they didnt last a day thanks to rocks, and ive had them at the fron of my bed by the rear window and they pretty much just lit up the bed

On the sides up high on the back rack, so they will be back-up & bed lights

always try it yourself, i've been able to do it since i was 14, its easy...

my 8.8 with disc's only cost me $75 on CL, but i gotta regear it.. which i'm working on now.

Gotta love that Craigslist

 

[88_Eddie]

yeah, i'm doin my gear swap with a barbie tool set and some leftover pieces from my erector set.....i dont think you'll have trouble with it legoms

 

[-Nathan-]

yea man, and as kyle said, a splitter will help. Pull your old pinion bearings off carefully, die grind the insides of them out until they just barely slide on the pinion, and use them as setup bearings. That 20 ton press will be more than enough. Read that article by billavista that I posted, and if you have any questions, please feel free to pm or ask.

 

[legoms013]

Got the lugs on today:

Now, what to do with that gawdawful chrome rear bumper....

 

[chrwilkins30]

where did you end up getting them. I need new ones mine are rusty stockers.

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

Looks good!
I remember when I got my black lugs from 4 wheel parts and they were too short and the ends snapped off a couple of the lugs! Then they sent me the right ones for free

 

[legoms013]

where did you end up getting them. I need new ones mine are rusty stockers.

Ebay, I can't find the listing now but search for 1/2-20 Black Lugs

 

[legoms013]

Got to looking at my steering today, and why it seems "loose" and "vague".

Looks like as the draglink twists about 45 degrees when cycling the steering back and forth.....Thats the looseness I feel in the wheel. Also it poses a problem where the pivot point on the draglink rotates backward, and rubs on the D35 diff housing.

This can't be good for the joints as it cycles them in ways that they aren't really designed to cycle.

Not to mention its annoying.

Crap, still not happy with it all.

What to do now? Find a used Superlift Super-Runner steering setup, and mod the center link down 2", ream for chevy 1 ton TRE's, and have WFO make me some new tie-rods out of .219 wall 1.25 diameter DOM. We're talking another $400 at least...

Savvy?