New Carrier and Spider Gears
 

I'm re gearing my front d30 to 4.10s to match my new 8.8 I'm putting in, and I've come to understand that i need a new carrier for the ring and pinion.

I was wondering if i can just swap out my old spider gears from the old carrier into the new bigger one?

Also I've heard i should be taking it to a shop so they can align the ring and pinion so they mesh properly, or can i do this by myself?

Thanks all!

if you dont even know if the spider gears can be swapped then you probobly shouldn't do a front end re-gear. it requires precise measurements with in 7/100 of an inch, so i would let a shop do it. also, for only a few hundred extra bucks, you could throw a LSD or Locker up front and would be alot happier

i have done plenty of my own work from engine rebuilds, to t-case re-builds, axle swaps, suspension installs, and clutch replacement,i still would not touch a ring and pinion to this day.

agree have a shop do it for you

Yes i'm aware a shop is the easiest route and the measurement have to be very precise. i was just wondering if i should be buying spider gears, or if the old ones will fit without problem. I've heard they can be swapped, but i've also heard they cant, i'm just trying to find an answer.

I have access to my high school shop and the correct tools to do the measurements as well

Measuring the tolerance is only 1/2 the challenge, the other half is knowing what they mean and what to do with them. Not for someone who is a newb to axle to attempt unless you have the money to spend on a few trial and errors.

I dont see why you cant swap the spider gears, the only reason for a different carrier is because of the way the ring gear is cut to certain dimensions

Thanks for answering my question

yeah the spider gears will swap

as for the gear setup. whether you can do it yourself or not really isnt the important question. the first important part is whether or not you have the proper tools. if you do not have the proper tools for it, it will cost you more to get all the proper tools and do it right that it will to take it to a gear shop