I am planning to do a regear in the coming months. I was mostly planning to do it myself but figured I would request some quotes. Both places quoted me $3100 for front and rear (30/35) with open diffs. I live in the Bay Area where everything is expensive and overall awful but even still, those prices seem outrageous. If anything, it was the motivation I needed to do it myself, as my goal with the TJ was to completely rebuild the front/rear end myself (which i've already done already for all components except the diffs). Are you all seeing prices that high for regears? Is my reaction warranted or am I crazy?
Re-gear Quotes: Inflation?
- Thread starter TJX02
- Start date
KennethS
TJ Enthusiast
Have you researched the price for just the parts? Then added in a reasonable amount for labor?
That’s $1500 per axle, which seems reasonable for gears, bearings, labor, oil, gaskets, etc.
That’s $1500 per axle, which seems reasonable for gears, bearings, labor, oil, gaskets, etc.
Good to know! Yep, have my parts list. I'm around $700 all-in for the regear (though I already had some of the parts). All of the searches I've done cite $1,200-$1,500, but those are likely not from CA. There's just too much of a price gap for the shop to do it, which is fine and I understand they are running a business. As I mentioned, I enjoy working on the Jeep myself and don't mind this job. More money to put toward lockers later.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
Just some FYI, it's not recommended locking the Dana 35 without doing some other upgrades (Super 35).
Thanks for heads up, yep I'm aware of the limitations of the Dana 35. I'm keeping the Dana 35 open for the regear, then down the line if I decide to drop in a rear locker, will get the 30 spline configuration.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
Being in the bay area with California taxes and rents, I'm surprised they only quoted you that much.
Just had mine done in December and paid $1385 parts and labor
I know a guy in Colorado with a big f'in hammer. He is real good at doing stuff.
Inflation is just a figment of your imagination. The economy is the best it's been in 50 years. At least that's what Jeff Dunham's puppet Walter says every time I see him on TV doing a press conference. 
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they are
I paid ~$1200 (pre-COVID panic) but I recall others who have fairly recently used the same guy and the quotes weren't outrageously inflated compared to mine.
I paid $2600 for 4.56's and TrueTrack limited slip. Best money spent on my TJ... period.
RubiconRic
TJ Enthusiast
I was in the same boat as you and as a first timer it ended up taking me many days of work, research, work, research, plus extra $$ for tools, press, etc., to do my own gears. If it's your DD and you need it to get to work M-F then be sure you have a backup plan (eg rental car, carpool) if Sunday evening comes around and you're still not done. If it's your spare vehicle, then go for it!
Who did you finally end using? I know not that new shop "Extreme" on 25 up the block from me.
You are correct. I used Evans Offroad in Bayshore. Actually went back to him for a few more jobs. Extremely happy with his work, great communication, delivered more than I expected and priced every job right.
I would gladly pay that price for a regear. Around here they are quoting $2800.00 and up with customer supplied parts.
I am more than capable of doing the job myself. But I no longer work for a shop, and don't have access to a press. My homeowner's ASSociation doesn't allow you to work on vehicles. I just got a 75.00 fine for installing my Black Magic brakes on my kids XJ.