I was wondering how many hours you think a shop would take to swap the rear axle (d35) to a c8.25 and also regear front and rear to 4.56...just labor!?
Thanks!

 

Probably 4

 

Awesome...lets hope its an easy swap!

 

you will need a d shaft too

 

It's going to take more than 4! I'd say for a good shop (that has done these particular gears/axles) it would take around 6 (4-5 just for gears). Unless he's got lots of help!

 

Do I need ring and pinion for the gears...are there front and rear ring and pinions or just rear? Basically what parts would I need to gear up

 

Yes and front and rear.Maybe just get a master install kit too so you got it all

 

Master install kit? Do they have these for the c8.25 d30 combo?

 

Yep.....unless its lifted around 3" or 4" then the D35 shaft will be fine.

 

If you have the time/space/capability I would suggest swapping the rear axles yourself to save labor cost, as it's a straight forward swap.

 

x2!

 

While you are in there it would be a good idea to replace the D30 inner axle seals with new. Install and master kits do not includes these and they are not that much and the carrier will be out anyway. Beats doing the work twice.

 

The shops around me charge 4 hours per axle to regear. With a straight forward swap like the C8.25, I don't see them charging any more than 2-3 hours. So around me, it would be along the likes of 10-12 hours to do everything, plus parts (that's unless you pick them up yourself).

Ask around to local shops to figure out how much parts are. Yes, it's cheaper to get the parts yourself, but shops warranty parts and labor when they buy the parts. Just something to keep in mind there.

 

That's seems a little high but not to bad, but every shop is different.

To the OP: For reference, my labor rates are $325 for the front axle and $250 for the rear axle. Lunch box lockers are $50 per axle extra (if installing gears at the same time).

 

Check with the shops before you order gears because some won't install yours or charge extra. Most can get better deals than you anyway because they get wholesale prices.