Cost to swap gears

[Rudity23]

I am looking to swap my gears to get better mileage on my 150 mile per day commute. Yes, I did the math and I would still rather drive my truck. How much should I be paying to have the job done at a dealer (labor hours) and I am going to have both diffs done (4x4. ) Thanks.

 

[steved]

A lot.



Figure most likely around $1000 a diff... they charged me $900 just for rebuilding (not regearing, just bearings) my 1500's 9. 25 rear... add the cost of gears and your well over $1000 for each diff.



steved

 

[JonathanBurk]

I've had this done on 2 of my Ram's... both 1500 4x4's, but cost is the same.



#1 Good you're doing both diffs, otherwise you'll rip your drivetrain apart.

#2 Cost both times for me was roughly $1000 labor, $500 for R&P gear sets and installation kit.

 

[klenger]

What gears do you have? 3. 73 and 4. 10 are the only choices for a 3rd gen.

 

[RAMINSPEED]

I was quoted $2000 :--) by the dealer to do both ends. I was talking with a drive train shop and they could do it for $1500. What a deal.

 

[JCleary]

Find someone to swap axles with. It will probably be cheaper...

 

[surfbeetle]

Find one of those shops that do lift kits and big tires. They are always swapping taller gear sets to lower ones to compensate for the taller tires they are putting on the trucks. Maybe you'll get lucky and find what you're looking for.

 

[milehigh.o.]

If you have limited slip it will cost even more. I priced it out on my 2002 and the cost from the dealer was almost 3k with 4x4 and LSD. I don't know if the new axles are cheaper than the old ones.

 

[steved]

If you have limited slip it will cost even more. I priced it out on my 2002 and the cost from the dealer was almost 3k with 4x4 and LSD. I don't know if the new axles are cheaper than the old ones.

Limited slip has nothing to do with changing gears, unless they needed to change it for the ratio split. Then they were making you buy a new LS carrier.



Most axles need two (or more) carriers for different ratios... this is because as you change gears, the ring gets thinner to compensate for a larger pinion... at some point it needs to be "moved" over to keep the strength of the ring... in a Dana 60 for example, the same carrier will do everything from 3. 08 to 4. 10... but to change to 4. 56 and up (somewhere in the mid 5's), you need another carrier. Another way they get around this (for the numerically higher gears) is to make a "thick" ring gear that is used on the numerically lower carrier.



I was just reading that Randy's Ring and Pinion has gearsets for the new AAM 11. 5 (talking GM here) to 5. 38... I would hope that gearset would also fit the dodge 11. 5AAM, from what I have read, they are the same.



A good shop should charge about $500 to do the swap (plus parts)... you are still looking at close to $2k for a swap. And IMHO, the change from 3. 73 to 4. 10 isn't really that noticeable to be worth it... unless you really want to. Almost be as cheap to buy a Gear Vendors over/under drive.



steved

 

[MSLiechty]

For $2K your really close to the cost of having a Gear Vendors unit installed. I go that route given my choice but then again I want one for my 3. 73 gears anyway. It woudl be real nice to cruise at 1800 RPM doing 75 or so.





Michael