Going to order some 5.38 gears and was wondering if I would be able to change them or should I get a local shop too?

 

Theres a how to write up in the JK write ups...I read it and determined I couldnt...but thats me..alot of people DIY

 

Unless you have the tools and the know how I would highly recommend you have a professional shop do the install.

 

Most will recommend that you let the shop do your gears. It is something that even seasoned mechaincs may prefer to have someone else do.

That said, here are some good resources if you would like to tackle it yourself. Get all of the tools 'before' you start, take your time, and if/when you get frustrated, take a break instead of rushing or half-assing...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...8112-It-begins....
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...?82262-Gearing
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...5.13-gear-swap

 

i have had alot of experience with gears, i had in my truck and my mustang, both vehicles I got it done at a highly reputable shop and both times after a couple months I had to take them back to get new gears put in because they didnt set the right, It is very hard to det them just right so you dont get that dreaded whine. So I would highly recomend getting it done by a professional.

 

It all depends on the tools you have and your experience level. I would definetly say DO NOT do it if all you have is a craftsman 200 piece tool set.. J/K, but seriously you need to have high mechanical ability before you try this. Close is not good enough, this MUST be exact.

 

If you have the 201 piece set go for it Personally I would go somewhere and have it done. That way you know it's set up right and you won't have any issues. hopefully....

 

i have done gears before like 3 times... i am very mechanically knoledged.. but i WILL NOT do my gears, even though if i bought the proper tools like dial indicator, pinion depth guage, bearing splitters and all that i could prob get it done. but if there is a problem with anything it falls on my sholders, not a shops..
also from what i read the elocker can be tricky, and like i said if anything breaks its on YOU.
i do ALL my own work.. i wont do my gears.. for me spending the extra $$ and having it done right by a pro is more important than boosting my mechanical ego.

 

I just finished the driveway gear install. I'd say go for it if you got the time and wan't to learn along the way. Do it because you like to know how to do things, not because you wan't to save some cash. You won't save much, the first time you do the job at least.

I have never taken a shop class nor is anyone in my family mecanical. I just read what I could and improvised where I had to.

One piece of advise, make sure you have all the correct parts before you start. Don't trust that the places you order from know better than you. I was held up for two weeks while waiting for the replacement to an incorrect part I was shipped.

Good luck.

 

For me, I worked on plenty of tj's and xj's axles inside and out. I do everything on my JK but can't bring myself to touch the diffs on it. Best thing about paying a shop, Warranty.