Rebuilding 11.5 Axle Need some information

[CrewCabDiesel]

I am in the process in regearing my truck from 4:10 to 3:73 and decided to start from scratch. I found a bare housing, i already have the 3:73 set of gears and carrier that was out of a flipped truck with 20K miles. There is several different bearing suppliers from Timken (which is what Im used to) to Yukon, who has the best bearings for the long haul? I have been using Amsoil for years (please dont turn this into an oil debate).
Thanks
Kyle

 

[Wayne M.]

I don’t trust or buy blindly by manufacturer any more. With all the outsourcing, companies buying each other out and such, things are very volatile.
You want USA, German/ Swiss or Japan made etc. avoid China, Korea etc. The price will probably tell the tale.

 

[KATOOM]

(please dont turn this into an oil debate).

There's no debate on oil since I have no opinion on whatever someone wants to use. But...I will strongly advise against DIY ring and pinion differential work. Its not a physically difficult job but it certainly takes knowledge and experience to get all the specs correct, otherwise you will get something wrong.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Where did the housing come from?

I bought a housing for my DRW conversion on my old 3rd gen 2500. Unfortunately, it came from a rolled vehicle and had bent tubes. Just suggesting that you make sure the housing is legit.

 

[Wayne M.]

There's no debate on oil since I have no opinion on whatever someone wants to use. But...I will strongly advise against DIY ring and pinion differential work. Its not a physically difficult job but it certainly takes knowledge and experience to get all the specs correct, otherwise you will get something wrong.

Hey give the guy a chance. It’s not rocket science. The one tool he needs, if he doesn’t have and should get, is the Factoty Shop Manual. I’m confident he’ll know weather he can finish it, or give it to a driveline shop then.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes the AAMs are very easy to set up for preload and gear lash.

For the pinion, reuse the spacer that is now on your 4.10 and try with it, perhaps the depth will fit nicely.
Check out some youtube videos for the how to, they help a lot.

For bearings, I use Timken, SKF, Koyo or FAG.

And you need a tool similarly to this MILLER #8883A
#ad

 

[Ozymandias]

With a bare housing it is way more difficult because you don't know the depth of the Pinion that was installed in it.
I would build your own axles that are already in the Truck and have a known history.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

All the work is being done by a hotrod shop that I trust, and the axle has been checked for bends with the correct tools. It's been tanked, magnafluxed, and now having the tubes welded for strength.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

My 4:10 axle is going to be put up for sale after the install of the 3:73 axle and the gear swap of the front axle so I won't be able to pull parts from it.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sounds good, they sure know their Business.
Go with the bearings I mentioned.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I have put almost $10k into the motor, $4500 in the trans why cheap out now

 

[KParsons]

i put a locker in last year, and used skf . it went well

 

[Wayne M.]

Just to reference, Big trucks at my job- the Classic Mack double reduction axles use “Hyatt” brand hub bearings. Hyatt is actually an old name in bearings but currently they are imported Chinese junk. They do fail.