Gear Vendors OD

[Mopar Man]

I am about to install a GV OD that I bought used into my 97 4x4, 5 speed. I have read the manual (poor) that came with it. Installation seems straight forward. HOWEVER, the previous owner advised there is a ring/circle clip in the Dodge transmission that is tough to get out. Any advice/help?? Thanks

 

[ragjoint]

Mopar Man, the ring you are referring to is called the output bearing retaining ring. When I put my gv on I munched the ring real good, went to mopar and bought 2 of them. Once you remove the output bearing ring, and loosen the bolt on the rear extension, be very careful not to let the output shaft move backwards while removing the rear extension or you will drop your shims into the transfer case and walla-disaster!! If your truck is equipped with the 8800 gvwr package, you would be advised to go to 4 wheel wholesalers and get some rear spring shims and shim up the rear pinion angle by 15 degrees or so, cuts down on vibration.
Hope this helps.
Ragjoint

 

[ragjoint]

Mopar Man, almost forgot the most important part. Made a special set of snap ring pliers just for this retaining ring, filed a couple of groves toward the top of the bits in the pliers to fit the ring, you have to have these groves or stuff just flies everywhere.
Ragjoint

 

[hank]

MoPar MAn:

I used a pair of needle nose pliers that I pulled the handles apart on to get the tension to spread that external snap ring, I don't remember it being a particular hassel but I did buy a pair of external snap ring pliers to reinstall so I woulnd't strech the springyness out of the original snap ring. Take your time and call GearVendors if you have questions they are very helpful. It doesn't matter if you aren't the original purchaser. They will also provide the correct speedo drive gear to correct your speedometer. That's a good point Ragjoint made about the shims, I'm going to try that because the drive line vibrates at 45mph on my Dodge. I always blamed it on the longer driveshaft.

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'97 5-speed longbed cc, 4x4, 4:10 lsd, Horton, GearVendors, Ranchos, tow hooks, 255/85 Dunlop Radial Rovers (33"), Ranch Hand rear and TJM front bumpers, cab-high ARE topper, 6 CD Changer, no Cat, no muffler, EGT/Boost gauges, Dual Optima Red Tops, Bright Box. 19. 5 mpg bobtail, 14 mpg towing 25' TT.