x2. Pay to have it done right the first time and save some money in the long run.

 

It is like that in charleston sc. I had 4:88's and a yukon locker installed and paid 1200 in labor alone. Worth it though, the guy did a awesome job and let me help him do it. He explained every single thing he was doing. After going through all that I am glad i didnt attempt it myself, especially since it is my daily driver

 

Sommer what's your setup. I have a 2dr auto and bought 4.88's with 34's. It runs fine on road but off-road lacks badly. I wondering how much different it's going to be.

 

I have an '08 4dr manual. Put 35's on then changed the gears to 5.13's. Mine was actually pretty good driving with stock 3.73 gears on the highway, offroad left something to be desired, but it was still bearable. Unless your rig has a lot of weight on it, I wouldn't go beyond 4.88 for an auto with 34's. If you insist tho, 5.13 would be your max with that tire size with potential got future upgrade...

With 34's what you'd mainly notice is a lot more torque, but a little less gas mileage, cuz their not that big of a tire for those gears...

 

Can do it yourself if you have a decent understanding. You can educate yourself for certain. I don't think I'm anything extra special outside any other normal guy here and I figured it all out. It's not rocket science, and no it's not like changing your oil. But if you have some mechanical skills, and an ability to understand the relationship of how the components interact and how each affects the other, then you can probably do it.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...gearing-82262/

to add, I really believe a lot of the stigma attached to doing gears must have come about by a handful of people that just slapped some gears in without even trying to learn how, they messed 'em up and now everyone believes its a magical process...it's not crazy difficult, if you can learn to do your brakes properly you can learn to regear a vehicle with a little reading...and yes some access to tools. I have reused every tool I purchased in the process of doing this job right down to the special Millar pinion flange holder when installing my new driveshaft the other day. The purchase of tools is never a poor investment.

 

To simplify the answer to your question. NO, you cannot press the pinion bearing on prior to attempting installations and working up a mesh pattern.
During the process of determining appropriate pinion depth you will be removing the pinion and need to remove the bearing numerous times to change shim thickness under the bearing. Hence the usefullness of a setup bearing. An extra bearing that is used only during setup and mesh pattern work up that easily slips on and off the pinion without pressing so you can adjust pinion depth via shim stacks under the bearing against the head of the pinion.
A discussion can be made over that process as well with the 'potential' for difference in pinion depth due to diferences between the pinion bearing used....a setup bearing may read one depth during your work up leading to problems when installing the new pinion bearing which may be a .001" thicker or thinner than the setup...........anyways....I used the method I explain. That was just over 3 years ago with many miles and journeys in between....I'm still doing well.

 

Thanks black northern. That the answer I needed to know that I shouldn't be trying it. I will see Tuesday what the local shops wants for labor. If their asking crazy money I might just not regear.

 

Looks like 900 for labor at the local Jeep shop. Cheaper than I thought it would be.

 

Cheaper than around here. Take it all day man. You wont be sorry you paid someone to do it. Ask if you can watch them do some of it, and you will see why.