setting up rear end gears
 

i found a great page while on my yota site.
probably would be helpful with anyone with the courage to do their own gearswaps.
http://precisiongear.com/pgtech.htm

http://www.gearinstalls.com/

One of these days I'll get gutsy enough to try changing out gears. Never tried it nor seen it done before. Guys that have done it say it easy, which I suppose it is with practice and the right tools.

Good info is always needed, added the links to my favorites.

the only issue with any "joe" setting up a rear end is you need an assortment of shims to work with. You end up going back and forth with sizes till you get the correct contact. Plus a quality micrometer or caliper plus a dial indicator are a must. not everyone gots those in the ole toolbox.

Its surprisingly cheap to get setup for doing gears.I have a nice little portable setup I take with me when doing them.Digital calipers are down to 30 bucks and a simple cheap micrometer can be found anywhere.The trick is doing a few so you can build up a set of test fit bearings for specific rearends.By honing out old(good condition) bearings,you can slip fit everything between shim adjustments.This reduces the need for a press,sometimes eliminateing the need all together.And it saves a LOT of time.

I was also hesitant at first,but building my Samurai over the last 2 years got me into it.I refused to fork out 1000 bucks to have my gears put in,when it was supposed to be a cheap trail rig build.

The 3rd member style units are easier,since they usually have carrier adjusters instead of shims,thus there is much less teardown and rebuild.You just set the pinion shim depth and everything else is crush sleeves and adjusters.I still need to do mine,just havent had time....wanna try out some taller gears to see if I get more traction/pull in the lower gears.Think Ill just keep 2 or 3 pre-assembled 3rd members ready to go, with different ratios......kinda a poor-mans quick change rearend!

Also,for anyone looking to tackle rearend gears......get ye' to the Chevy dealer and buy a tube of REAL gear marking compound.Forget Prussian Blue,or White Grease.......nothing makes perfect gear pattern marks like the mustard yellow GM gear marking compund.Its cheap, and a tube will last a long,long time.