DIY re-gear or let a shop do it?

[qslim]

A person has to realize their own limitations. From ever bit of research I performed on re-gearing I would not have attempted this. I paid a well known area Jeep shop with plenty of experience and it was money well spent. They stand behind their work and honor the gear manufacturer's warranty.

Excellent point. If the OP has the time and willingness to learn it sounds he's most likely capable of getting it done. Knowing your limitations is very important when it comes to this kind of stuff. I have a new set of gears sitting on a shelf but I doubt I will do them myself despite the fact I used to do this for a living and still have all the required tools. It's just too time consuming for me and, at this point in my life, I'd rather pay someone to get it done for me so I can spend my time and efforts elsewhere. In my 20s and early 30s I had no problem turning wrenches on my back long into the night for my latest project - at this point I'd just be frustrated thinking about all the other stuff I have to do!

 

[F Troop]

Sounds like your work will carry over into your re-gear. Give it a try if you get stuck I’m sure someone here will have the knowledge to get you to the promised land.

 

[someguysjeep]

it a meticulous job and it has to be right.
it's not complicated.........once you understand how the pieces interact, and what moving the parts does to your set.

the back end of most calipers has a depth gauge that's what i used.
place a straight edge from bearing cap seat to bearing cap seat, and use the gauge on the back of the mic to find the depth to your pinion head (- the thickness of your straight edge). use the pinion #'s like post #18 says.

this write up is a Dana 60, but may have details to help.

http://billavista.com/tech/Articles/Gear_Setup_Bible/index.html

 

[Chris]

Ask @AndyG how his DIY re-gear went

 

[AndyG]

Ask @AndyG how his DIY re-gear went

It went great after I took it to a shop and paid to get it fixed.

I'm not saying anyone isn't capable....and I'm not saying that somebody can't figure out the process...

As a person who works with his hands everyday I'll be quick to tell you...you can get into trouble when you don't know what you're looking for ..... that creates an environment where you're doing everything you know to be right and can be doing something wrong and not be aware of it.

if that happens you will be purchasing another set of gears ....and maybe a lot more.

my mindset afterwards was I'm not going to be doing this enough times to justify going through the learning curve or tools needed.....and I'm the guy that will tell you if a jeep that I get isn't geared correctly that's going to be one of the first things that gets done.

 

[ErikOffroad]

This is not a easy job, a majority of mechanics don’t do axle work. If they have a broken axle most shops get a crate axle from jasper. It’s not like u are getting a regear at pep boys. Not too many people know how to set up this properly.

 

[AndyG]

Thank you for bringing that up Chris.... I'll now try to go back to my happy place.

Seriously, flag me any time sir.

 

[qslim]

Ask @AndyG how his DIY re-gear went

Can those who are late to the party get a link? For the purpose of research?

 

[AndyG]

Can those who are late to the party get a link? For the purpose of research?

There's no link to hell sir.

 

[fourmustangs]

Part if me wants the challenge, part of me wants to be lazy.

 

[AndyG]

Part if me wants the challenge, part of me wants to be lazy.

well if it doesn't go right you aren't going to get to be lazy ...because you got to come up with the money twice... And that's being conservative if you don't grenade the whole deal.

 

[jjvw]

Given the time, space and tools, I know I could do it, having helped on a few setups including mine. But I'm in no hurry to make that happen. Helping someone who knows how to do the work is enough for me.

 

[JMT]

I considered it and read the Gear Bible multiple times, made a list of tools needed, watched lots of videos. In the end I concluded, this is all very interesting but I would want to see it done first hand before trying my hand at it. If I had a junkyard Dana 30 and a few old gear sets laying around, I might give it a shot if I were seriously thinking of doing my Jeep.

 

[fourmustangs]

well if it doesn't go right you aren't going to get to be lazy ...because you got to come up with the money twice... And that's being conservative if you don't grenade the whole deal.

Lol, my mechanic not to far away, only cost 100 for a tow

 

[Fouledplugs]

Part if me wants the challenge, part of me wants to be lazy.

I say go for it. On the other side of the coin, it’s often beneficial and worth it in the end to pay the folks who work on this stuff everyday to tackle the re-gear.

 

[bluescapegoat]

First time I took a vehicle to a shop for anything in the last 15 years was to have my TJ regeared. Now I've got a Comanche with mismatched axles, a Wagoneer that I need to regear, and I'd like to check out a diesel Gladiator when those hit the market next year. That would need a regear.

I just wish I'd learned to do it myself. Now I'm going to learn on the Comanche.

 

[Fouledplugs]

I considered it and read the Gear Bible multiple times, made a list of tools needed, watched lots of videos. In the end I concluded, this is all very interesting but I would want to see it done first hand before trying my hand at it. If I had a junkyard Dana 30 and a few old gear sets laying around, I might give it a shot if I were seriously thinking of doing my Jeep.

This is how one starts in the business. In the end, you stand to make a pretty penny when you perfect the craft. Not to mention being able to tackle a job that would send most running for the hills.

 

[AndyG]

Lol, my mechanic not to far away, only cost 100 for a tow

That assumes you can even move the vehicle.... There was one point when I wondered if I was ever going to see mine with the wheels back on it.

If someone is going to tackle it and never has they need to read and research and talk to everybody they can ... Ahead of time.

 

[fourmustangs]

That assumes you can even move the vehicle.... There was one point when I wondered if I was ever going to see mine with the wheels back on it.

If someone is going to tackle it and never has they need to read and research and talk to everybody they can ... Ahead of time.

I figure worst case is to pull pinion, reinstall carrier and axles to get it back rolling

 

[ErikOffroad]

I figure worst case is to pull pinion, reinstall carrier and axles to get it back rolling

That will work for the front. I done it. U don’t need the carrier. All u need is the outer axle shaft . Hammer out the u joint and ur good to go.