Attention: TDR Forum Junkies It's Monday morning & I'm back in the workplace after spending 2 1/2 weeks out west in Jackson Hole, Moab & a few places in between.
My trusty old truck decided upon entering Wyoming that the original Getrag (182,000 miles) had been in place long enough & began to Howl in 5th, 4th & sometimes 3rd. At first I wondered if it might be the Dana 70 rear axle or the bulletproof NP205 Transfer Case because the noise was with vehicle speed & not engine speed. I couldn't decided if this developement was a CURSE or a BLESSING! You see a new NVG4500HD has been on my wish list for sometime and now I was in the neighborhood of the one of the best installers in the country.
A quick call to Quad 4X4 (406-446-2427), near Roberts, MT. put my mind at ease when Dan & Amanda Guarino said they would be able to help w/ my situation. Their article appeared in the Issue 26 of the TDR on page #124 and I knew of a couple of our First Gen brothers that had already paid Dan a visit for the NVG4500HD Conversion (Bob Beauchaine & Mike Hurd).
In the 3 days that I spent w/ Dan & Quad 4x4 he took the time to also rebuild the CV joint on the front driveshaft & completely rebuild the Dana 70 while we were waiting for the trans to be delivered. The rear axle on my truck was showing 30 thou of backlash when the spec is between 5 - 9 thou and in need of bearings & re-shimming. Dan mentioned that the Dana 70's seem to need bearings about every 125,000 - 150,000 miles and mine was no exception.
While $3740. 95 is a huge chunk of change to spend on an old truck I feel this a worth while investment on a truck that I plan to still be driving 10 years from now. The cost of the NVG4500HD Conversion is $3295. 00 (all labor included & no sales tax req'd) and the remainder was for the Dana & front driveshaft rebuild. Dan charged $190. 00 in labor & approx. $150. 00 in parts for the rebuild of the Dana. I challenge anyone to find a more knowledgeable person & a better price to service the rear axle to this extent.
With the new trans in place all I hear is sweet Cummins music where I had static before!
Two Thumbs Up for Quad 4X4 and the new trans & mods!
KEENO
My trusty old truck decided upon entering Wyoming that the original Getrag (182,000 miles) had been in place long enough & began to Howl in 5th, 4th & sometimes 3rd. At first I wondered if it might be the Dana 70 rear axle or the bulletproof NP205 Transfer Case because the noise was with vehicle speed & not engine speed. I couldn't decided if this developement was a CURSE or a BLESSING! You see a new NVG4500HD has been on my wish list for sometime and now I was in the neighborhood of the one of the best installers in the country.
A quick call to Quad 4X4 (406-446-2427), near Roberts, MT. put my mind at ease when Dan & Amanda Guarino said they would be able to help w/ my situation. Their article appeared in the Issue 26 of the TDR on page #124 and I knew of a couple of our First Gen brothers that had already paid Dan a visit for the NVG4500HD Conversion (Bob Beauchaine & Mike Hurd). In the 3 days that I spent w/ Dan & Quad 4x4 he took the time to also rebuild the CV joint on the front driveshaft & completely rebuild the Dana 70 while we were waiting for the trans to be delivered. The rear axle on my truck was showing 30 thou of backlash when the spec is between 5 - 9 thou and in need of bearings & re-shimming. Dan mentioned that the Dana 70's seem to need bearings about every 125,000 - 150,000 miles and mine was no exception.
While $3740. 95 is a huge chunk of change to spend on an old truck I feel this a worth while investment on a truck that I plan to still be driving 10 years from now. The cost of the NVG4500HD Conversion is $3295. 00 (all labor included & no sales tax req'd) and the remainder was for the Dana & front driveshaft rebuild. Dan charged $190. 00 in labor & approx. $150. 00 in parts for the rebuild of the Dana. I challenge anyone to find a more knowledgeable person & a better price to service the rear axle to this extent.
With the new trans in place all I hear is sweet Cummins music where I had static before!
Two Thumbs Up for Quad 4X4 and the new trans & mods!
KEENO
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