Question dealing with regearing

[SgtJensen]

I have a question about regearing the diffs. I've never done it before, and am wondering, do the diffs have to be dropped from the vehicle, as in away from the vehicle, then wrenched on, or can you just drain the pumpkin, take the diff cover off and have at it?

[HillBillE]

It can be done in the vehicle, but it's a pain unless you have a lift.

I've done it both ways, pulling the axles is much easier.

[SgtJensen]

Thanks, I was just wondering, I'm pretty handy with tools and the hobby shop here on base isnt all that bad, so I should be able to do it no problem.... what kind of time frame are we looking at for a gear swap?

[HillBillE]

When I did my CJ, it took me 8 hours on the front (first time I had ever done it 'by the book')

And the rear M20 took me 4 hours, including locker.

This was with the axles out, and on a bench.

If you've never done it before, read up on your axles, and if possible, get someone to help who has done it before.

[Jeffb_79]

Thanks, I was just wondering, I'm pretty handy with tools and the hobby shop here on base isnt all that bad, so I should be able to do it no problem.... what kind of time frame are we looking at for a gear swap?

I'd make sure the hobby shop has all the tools you'll need before you start.
From what I've read up on, gear installs require some pretty precise measurements so you don't destroy them a few miles down the road.

[korisu56]

Yeah, back lash and pinion depth are among those two mentioned measurements. I had a buddy help me regear my 8.8 and dana 30 and he brought special tools home from the shop. The 8.8 time frame isn't realistic because we were building the axle at the same time. I believe it only took us 1.5 hrs to do it, but he was a ford mechanic for 20+ yrs and it was out of the Jeep.

The Dana 30 took us about 7.5 hrs. It was still in the jeep. Lot's of putting in/taking out going on there.

[SgtJensen]

well alrighty then....definetely an all day affair then

[Don]

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[bryans87MJ]

One thing about setting up gears is there is no mostly right. It's either right or it blows up. That being said for a new guy with the axles out it can take quite some time. Don't rush it. I know when I was doing my 8.8/ D30 I pulled the axles and gutted them then dropped off at the shop. The guy had them done in about 40 minutes each but he is a guy who sets gears for a living at Randy's R&P. Also saved a lot in labor as the cost was only $140 in labor per axle.