S10cherokee

Hello, just joined from tucson. I have a 91 cherokee that i just put a b.lee 3 link and 35s on. I just bought 4.56 gears and have no idea how to install them and cant afford the $400 an axle a shop wants. How hard are they to do and can a novice guy do them? Thank you

Martlor13

in my honest opinion, i wouldn't recommend a novice to install gears. You have to really know what you're doing because they have to be put in just right. And honestly, $400 seems super cheap. And one more super important thing. If you have ever considered a locker, now would be the best time because you will already be in there. Better to pay and have the work done once then twice.

S10cherokee

Thank you for the reply. I can not afford to have someone install them. That is why i was considering doing it myself. I will hold off though. Dont want to mess something up. And i do not have a locker. I will be on open diffs

Martlor13

thats why i am saying you should put a locker in when you regear.

S10cherokee

It will be a while before i could afford gears, install, and a locker. Thanks

Martlor13

no problem, just something too consider when you do get funds.

00t444e

There is plenty of YouTube videos that show how to set up gears in both the Dana 30 and Chrysler 8.25. The only specialty tools you need are a dial indicator, digital caliper, inch lb torque wrench, and you will either need to buy or make the tool for the side adjusters on the Chrysler 8.25. It is time consuming but not really that hard to do, the hardest thing is getting your pinion depth set because the only way to measure it is to run a pattern on the gears once you have everything installed, then to adjust it you have to take the whole thing back apart to change the pinion shims, if you are lucky you will get it right the first time if not you may have to take it apart 3-4 times to get it right.

S10cherokee

Ok thank you for the reply. I watched a few of those videos. Doesnt look too hard, but i dont have a press. The other tools i have access to, but no press. I just bought everything to fab an ota track bar, so there goes most of my gear money. Plus i have to do home repairs. Thanks for the help guys.

00t444e

You don't need a press, put the bearings in the oven at 350* for about 30 minutes and it will generally go right on, putting the carrier or pinion in the freezer also helps. For the Dana 30 you can buy two extra bearings to make setup bearings by grinding the center out so they slide on and off easily so you can change your shims without pressing the bearings on and off, you can do the same with the pinion bearing.

S10cherokee

Thanks for the tips. I will have to remember those when i go to do gears. I cant drive around too long on 35s with 3.55 gears

CLSegraves1

If you have to ask how hard installing gears are, then you are not prepared to install gears. Gears are "easy" to install (anyone can stick them in) and easy to mess up (you have to know what you are doing). If you can find someone who has done it before, it's simple enough to do in the driveway though.

S10cherokee

I passed on the gears for now. Thanks guys. I will do sye soon though