2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Gear Swap

[JGoss]

A buddy of mine has an 02' 4x4 3500 with a NV4500. He tows heavy and wants 4. 10's instead of 3. 55's. Where we live and what he does (logger) the truck mainly stays on 2 lane roads and very little interstate use. My question is who in the midwest will do the swap and do it right? A place in Springfield, MO quoted $1500 parts and labor. Is that about the going rate? I've been kidding him that he should have baught a 4. 10 equipped truck in the first place, but when buying used there's not much you can do about it. thanks

 

[DSeamans]

Gears

I did a guys last year and gears, bearings, shims and seals cost 8 or 900 for name brand over the internet. It took me all day to do both diffs with a helper that new what he was doing. So, I don't think $1500 is out of line. Just make sure they know what they are doing. Setting the pattern depth, backlash, and bearing preloads isn't that hard but can be a time consuming PITA.



Dave

 

[JGoss]

He's done a few himself, so with the questions he asked this place, they seem like they know what they're doing. With our days off from our "real" jobs, we've been trying to bale, plant, and log if it would ever stop raining. Time is very limited so he's taking it somewhere.

 

[JLandry]

JGoss,



I paid just under $1500 at Randy's Ring and Pinion in Seattle (Everett actually) for a 3. 55:1 to 4. 10:1 gear swap on my 2wd (one axle) 2500 for towing. That included new Dana gears. They did offer me less expensive Yukon gears, but I wanted Dana. It also included all new bearings, races, shims, bolts, and new clutch plates in the limited slip carrier. They showed me the bearings and clutch plates, and surprisingly after 85,000 miles of relatively light use, they were all either shot (the clutch plates) or well worn (the bearings and races).



I mention all this to say that your friend might find the price will go up depending on what they find when the open the axles. You don't want to skimp and reuse worn bearings, etc.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[JGoss]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll tell him to find out what brand of gears they plan on replacing with. I know they will be new, but may be cheapies.

 

[ChrisBlevins]

JGoss where in springfield did you get the quote??

 

[jkidd]

an under-drive might be a nice option for about $3500. it would get him about 4. 30 ratio with it engaged.

I swapped from 4. 10 to 3. 55 the 4. 10 tow much better. I swapped axles with a guy who had 3. 55.

 

[JGoss]

Chris Blevins, Ferguson Diesel in Springield reccomended this shop but I don't know their name. I will find out though.