How hard really is it? The major cost of regearing is the labor correct? The parts dont really cost very much. I have access to nearly every tool one could think of as my 2 best friends are full time farm machinery mechanics. I myself have troulbe changing the oil but is it really that hard for someone w/ mechanical ability to do it?

I guess my question is, someone tell me why know one does this and am I missing something?

 

Cause when gears are done wrong and blow, they take stuff with them. Expensive stuff...

 

haha well I guess that does make sense

 

It's not a straightforward remove and replace job. The art is trying to match the meshing ring gear and pinion gear teeth with using shims. Recognizing paint patterns on the teeth are part of it, and then repeating assembly and disassembly until it's done right. In some cases I understand that a case spreader is useful, as is a special tool to hold the pinion nut while you torque it down. I would at least find someone who has done a few before to walk you through it and help you out.

 

Regearing is not a simple process. You need precision tools and measuring devices. Setting the preload on the pinion bearing is just the start. Getting the gear mesh pattern right is an art. If they don't mesh up just right bad things happen...like pinion gear bearings letting loose or gear teeth shearing off at a very bad time. Ask me how I know this....it isn't fun or pretty.

 

watching the 4x4 shows on the boob tube makes it look simple. Its not and if the local install guy puts them in wrong and they go megaton on you you have an out. Do them yourself and screw up one thing and it can be an expensive mistake that alot of folks cant walk away from.

 

Decide for yourself

Great How-To :
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...8112-It-begins....
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...?82262-Gearing


And (one) of the failed installs :
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...uld-cause-this

 

While all this is true, you shouldn't be afraid to do it. I had never seen the inside of a diff when I did mine. If you can follow instructions and can have someone walk you throughout it, I say go for it. Even if you grenade them, you still saved enough money to do them twice more. The down time is what you're dealing with at that point. I like to learn what I can, and that is an awesome skill to have. When I was in my hobby shop I had a constant crowd. Most people were like me and had never seen the inside. Cool stuff for sure.

Edit: unless you toast a carrier too, you should be able to replace twice... or if you screw up bearing cages, or if you don't seat the pinion bearing races, or... you get the point.

 

helps being in the military and having access to a hobby shop with the right tools for the job...civilians dont have that luxury

 

And here is another reason NOT to do the gears yourself:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...er-the-install