Well I decided today that I cannot justify spending 1k in labor for someone to do my gear swap. I am an aircraft mechanic in the Navy and have fairly decent mechanical skills. I have read and printed out some very in-depth instructions. I have an entire hobby shop with lifts and every tool imaginable at my exposure on base. I'm ordering my gears today. Decided to go with this yukon kit that includes:
Yukon JK Gears & Install Kit Package. Your choice of 4.88 or 5.13 Gears.Package includes both front and rear gears and Install kits
Install kits include Ring gear bolts, Crush sleeve, Pinion Seal, Pinion and Carrier shims , Pinion nut , Loctite and Marking compound - NO Bearings included in the Install Kit

Can I reuse my old bearings or do I need to buy new ones? and is there anything else I need?? Pleas help!

 

I think the overhaul kits come with bearings

 

I wouldn't be surprised if someone on the base would probably be able to help you on the instal

 

You have an '07 - Get the kits with bearings. (overhaul, master install, whichever term you find)

Price check the gears at northridge. Front and rear gears and overhauls with timken bearings for $550. There may even be a 5% off sale going on, check the thread in the vendors forum.

Is the write-up by Blacknorthern one of the ones you are using? If not, spend a few minutes reading through it also.

Do you have any welding experience, or know anyone that does? When the axle is apart for gears would be a great time to add C Gussets and maybe even a set of sleeves. It would also be a great time to add a locker or limited.

 

Im in the same situation. I performed a gear swap once, but it was to replace chewed up gears with the same size. I didnt have to do much to set the new gears up. However, I think if a person has a little mechanical aptitude, the job wouldnt be too difficult. I say go for it! Im going to be doing mine soon too. Depending on when you are going to tackle this gear swap, I may be able to help.

 

Really depends on how many miles you have on it. Brand new with less than 5k, probably be good, but....
I would do the bearings at the same time. Look at it this way, You're buying new gears which are 4-500. This is a major drive-line change that will completely alter your vehicles performance characteristic's. Do you really want to chance something going wrong with one of your old bearings and destroying your gears?
An overhaul kit is 150 per axle on Northridge. It's up to you to decide whether you want to chance using an old, possibly bad bearing or race, with your brand new gears.

Now as for tackling it yourself, I'd say if your up for it, do it!

Almost forgot, if you have the 3.21's you'll need a new carrier up front with new spider gears. Carrier with spider gears are 150(just carrier is 60-70 depending on where you get it), although some places can tell you how to reuse the stock spider gears. Something to do with TJ thrust washers??? Not sure how but give some shops that are known to work on JK's a call for answers on that.


Just to help you out, here's the write up on gear swaps and how to do it -
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...hlight=gearing

-Zach

 

So I'm one pain in the ass day into my swap.. Got my wife turning wrenches at NAS Jacksonville's hobby shop.... Wish me luck!

 

Just finished the rear, can i drive with 5.13s in the rear and 4.10s in the front if i do not engage 4WD? Just dont have time to do the front till next weekend.

 

No, I would remove the front driveshaft. These axles stay locked, and turn even when not in 4WD

 

Thus turning the transfer case