(2009 JKU-Auto, D44/D30, 3.73, 53,000 miles) I got prices from two reputable shops for gears, TrueTracs, and ProCal. One shop was $3,480 (including 14 hours labor). The other shop was $3,270 (I think may have been 9 hours labor).
Can this be right?

 

Seems too high to me, there's no extra labor time needed for the TT install. I'd find out what they charge if you supply the parts yourself?

Gears and master install kits $549
Front TT $400
Rear TT $460
Procal $149

 

Yep, local shop here in VA then charges $400 per axle plus oil and shop supplies for the gear install. I don't think the TT for me was more - if so I know it was less than the ARB air locker, which was only $250 for the locker, compressor, and wiring.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

Define 'right'.

Fairly common for east coast people to post about the extremely high install charges out that way. All you can do is suck it up and pay, or search around for a reputable shop with lower rates. Try a post in the staging area to see where others near you are going, or check into any local 4x4 groups to see who they recommend.

 

I was lucky and have a friend who does it for a living so managed to get it done for just the cost of parts took us maybe 6-7 hours total without the benefit of a lift, the shop charging 14 hours is a joke. You might try looking at shops that specialize in gears and rear ends instead of a 4x4 shop

 

Most easy coasters seem to pay about $500 an axle plus parts. Perhaps they are charging you full retail prices on parts. Otherwise, tough to justify. Even at $100 an hour, the 14 hour estimate doesn't even come to half the total estimate. My guess is you are paying $800+ for gears and kits and $500 per TT.

 

Maybe this is more of an open diff question...but if one of my front wheels becomes airborne, would this also cut off traction to the two back wheels?

 

No, the rear wheels would keep traction, with an open diff the wheel in the air would only rob power from the other front wheel