TrystanK

So I'm going from 3.55 to 4.56 gear ratio and I already have the gears and the 3.73 carrier. But I just wanted some tips from people that have done it before such has how to shim it correctly and how to prevent back lash!
Anything helps!

gpXJ

When I read "how to prevent backlash", I had to go back and read the title again, cause all of a sudden I thought this was about bass fishing with a new baitcasting reel.

You need to do a lot more reading. Search the google for threads about setting up gears on x (being whatever axles you have). You will find a lot of good information, a lot of threads with detailed walkthroughs. It is not an easy job, and it requires some special tooling to do correctly. Without those tools and without any knowledge whatsoever, you are really setting yourself up for failure.

Do you have set-up bearings? If not then you need a large multi-ton press to press on and off the bearings while you get your shims right. You need a magnetic base dial indicator to set the proper backlash (yes, you actually WANT backlash....a very specific amount in a specific range). These things are measured in hundreds and thousandths of an inch....it is not something you can eyeball/feel around and get right, unless you have done it hundreds of times and have built that experience.

ksrummel

Honestly.....let the pros do it. I got my gears installed for 200 an axle. That was the cheapest I found with a credible name.

Fred/N0AZZ

In your case it may be cheaper to have it done by someone with experience and the proper tools to do it. If not setup properly using the correct tools you can quickly ruin the gears at the least.

I had my 4.56 gears and Detroit Lockers installed by a 4x4 Shop for $200 per differential. If possible do lockers at the same time and save yourself the labor of doing it all again same labor almost. It might pay you to wait till your budget allows for them to be bought JMHO.

Larry's XJ

Would all this be covered in a FSM?
$200 not bad, could swear I've seen $5-600 per.

Actually just Goog searched this the other day, found something on Pirate4x4, but couldn't see pics.

srb53150

not like you are changing brake pads here, get a shop to do this kind of work. takes special tools & skills.

andrewmp6

A gear change is easy to screw up bad and takes a lot of special tools that are pricey also.Call around everywhere that can do it from a small local garage to off road even some of the speed shops.A smaller shop or someone that needs work today will cut you a better deal on price then a big shop that don't need work today.

caronaxtr

When I regeared, I asked my buddy to help me out with it. He's a diesel mechanic, he said the same thing as everyone here. "Pay someone who knows what their doing to do it". It ended up costing me $800 for the install (both axles, gears, air lockers). Well worth it & that was a good price around me. I had to drop off the axles, the shop didn't want the whole Jeep....

Fred/N0AZZ

The shop that did mine had my whole Jeep as they were doing other things as well, but they do them all that way.

Its a shame that some of you guys get ripped so bad on labor in your areas.

XJmember

I got mine quoted at $1200 Canadian for my 4.56 ( including gears and whatnot) . Might be cheaper in the US im guessing.

dirtyjerz

definitly have a mechanic do it... now price is always gonna range if you have a name brand company do it for you well your gonna pay for it 4wheel shops might be a lil forgiving, best bet is to look for small mechanic shops and cl mechanics lookin for side work... and most importantley dont ask for a quote ask how much they charge and hr for labor... got mine done total was 300 by using this recipe most mechanics can do this work in their sleep