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Gearset change w/o a diff swap?

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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 05:43 AM
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Default Gearset change w/o a diff swap?

Is it possible to change the gear ratio without swapping the entire rear diff? If so, how difficult is it?
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 06:20 AM
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i've read it is very expensive and in no way worth it to DIY in this case.
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 04:59 PM
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You might want to check w/ Rodney with RPM transmission and see what he says. He's in Indiana and a modest distance from you. (See his ad)
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 05:31 PM
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You can't do it yourself unless you have the GM tools for it and a bearing press. I got mine done with hardened output shafts and it is perfect with no whine for $525 installed with gears. I took the diff out myself though.
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Old Oct 14, 2006 | 03:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Blue02ws6
You can't do it yourself unless you have the GM tools for it and a bearing press. I got mine done with hardened output shafts and it is perfect with no whine for $525 installed with gears. I took the diff out myself though.
That sounds great. Where did you get it done?
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by DarknessC5
That sounds great. Where did you get it done?
I want to know this too.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:53 PM
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Not true, It is not very hard at all. With simple tools and an air chisle its not bad. If you do it just remeber there is a stud that you must pull w/ 2 nuts, then a metal lock comes out. and makes sure clutches are lined up by spinning it before you put bolts in. Red Loctite is a must. Once you tear it apart youll see how easy it really is. If you do it go ahead and do the output shaft as well. Youll wish you had if you dont. o yeah cover is kinda a pain to get back on. Also theres a tab of metal that may need ground down because often times the pinion shaft is wider than stock but youll notice what im talking about right away.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by TYSON1997
Not true, It is not very hard at all. With simple tools and an air chisle its not bad. If you do it just remeber there is a stud that you must pull w/ 2 nuts, then a metal lock comes out. and makes sure clutches are lined up by spinning it before you put bolts in. Red Loctite is a must. Once you tear it apart youll see how easy it really is. If you do it go ahead and do the output shaft as well. Youll wish you had if you dont. o yeah cover is kinda a pain to get back on. Also theres a tab of metal that may need ground down because often times the pinion shaft is wider than stock but youll notice what im talking about right away.

What about setting up the gears? There is a reason they sell a $2,000(?) tool kit for them.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:22 PM
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If you have every changed a set in a solid axles its the same exact thing, they come with shims. And you set it with a micrometer. The way they are set up you have to use like a screwdriver to place an artificial load on the gear to get a good pattern though. However I personally have done 3 of them and w/ no shims they always have had good backlash and wear pattern. Definitely not worth skipping however. If bearings are good you will be fine. Mine had 83,xxx miles on it when i replaced it. Now it is at 115,xxx, No whine no nothing. Other 2 rear ends same thing. These rear ends really are an engineering masterpiece (as long as you dont have slicks on).
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:26 PM
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Yeah there is a reason for a $2000 tool kit because it makes it easier. The same reason I have a $1200 air compressor because its easier. Dont really need it but sure nice to have for big projects. And if I was goin to do rear ends for a living i would want to do it as fast and as easy as possible too.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by TYSON1997
Yeah there is a reason for a $2000 tool kit because it makes it easier. The same reason I have a $1200 air compressor because its easier. Dont really need it but sure nice to have for big projects. And if I was goin to do rear ends for a living i would want to do it as fast and as easy as possible too.

Gotcha I did the rear in my Chevelle and I had to custom make a tool to do it as I didn't have a pinion depth gauge. I thought there was more to the tool kit then just that.
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Old Oct 22, 2006 | 11:46 PM
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I had to fab up a tool to get the rear pinion support off. I have put them together and taken them apart myself, But i agree with everyone else, unless you really know what you are doing, you shouldn't touch it.

I had a hell of a time my first shoot. I never needed an air chisel???
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 01:03 AM
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Yeah you CAN do it....but my god, you could seriously tear it up without using the correct tools, like the pinion support nut that takes two little dowels to get it off. I watched mine being done and the tool kit has the special tools in it to SAFELY do the job right. I wouldn't even attempt it without that kit.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 01:08 AM
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Originally Posted by DarknessC5
That sounds great. Where did you get it done?

I bought the hardened output shaft myself before I found a shop to do the work. I got it for $100 and he charges $525 for a gear swap any ratio and that includes the gears. The guy that did it owns Texas Drivetrain. He is a sponsor at ls1tech and ls2.com but this site is a lot more expensive to become a sponsor on, I wonder why we have a corvette tax.... He is a really great guy and has a small shop in Dallas but does quite a bit of business and is very good at what he does. Great prices and great work, I highly recommend....
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 01:15 AM
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Originally Posted by berryj
You might want to check w/ Rodney with RPM transmission and see what he says. He's in Indiana and a modest distance from you. (See his ad)
That's where I got my hardened drivers side output shaft and he is a great guy to deal with also. Shipped it out fast and sold me his last one at a great price.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Blue02ws6
I bought the hardened output shaft myself before I found a shop to do the work. I got it for $100 and he charges $525 for a gear swap any ratio and that includes the gears. The guy that did it owns Texas Drivetrain. He is a sponsor at ls1tech and ls2.com but this site is a lot more expensive to become a sponsor on, I wonder why we have a corvette tax.... He is a really great guy and has a small shop in Dallas but does quite a bit of business and is very good at what he does. Great prices and great work, I highly recommend....
So I could get the same deal as you did? It'd be worth the drive to me if I could.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Blue02ws6
I bought the hardened output shaft myself before I found a shop to do the work. I got it for $100 and he charges $525 for a gear swap any ratio and that includes the gears. The guy that did it owns Texas Drivetrain. He is a sponsor at ls1tech and ls2.com but this site is a lot more expensive to become a sponsor on, I wonder why we have a corvette tax.... He is a really great guy and has a small shop in Dallas but does quite a bit of business and is very good at what he does. Great prices and great work, I highly recommend....
i'd be interested to know more. the 525 price was the new gears and the installation?

does he have a website?

i'm not TOO far from dallas if i get the itch to do the swap...
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DarknessC5
So I could get the same deal as you did? It'd be worth the drive to me if I could.
Yes that is his normal/regular price. I don't see why it would be more....he comes on this website some too but can't advertise.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jdmvette
i'd be interested to know more. the 525 price was the new gears and the installation?

does he have a website?

i'm not TOO far from dallas if i get the itch to do the swap...
I don't think I can post non-sponsor website links, but he is a sponsor at ls1tech and ls2.com and the business is called texasdrivetrain you can prob get a clue about the web address by that too.....
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Blue02ws6
I don't think I can post non-sponsor website links, but he is a sponsor at ls1tech and ls2.com and the business is called texasdrivetrain you can prob get a clue about the web address by that too.....

excellent.

can you answer the first question also?

PM me if you don't care to post the reply.
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