The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Who's done a Patrick's Rear End?

I posted this in the Lounge...this is probably a better place! Looking for ANYONE who's done their own rear end 3.55 upgrade with Patrick's kit...ideally someone near St. Louis who could help me with mine! I read the directions and was intimidated...my favorite tool is a hammer, so mechanical work isn't for me! Even if you're not near St. Louis, how did it go, what problems did you have, or did you just find a local rear end shop to do it for you? If so, how much? THANKS!

Did you contact Patrick about shipping him your third member and having him do the swap ? If you did, let us know the results..

I did...it's $125 each way for shipping, and they charge $400 as I recall...they do NOT convert your rear end, they swap it with one they've already done. Since mine's all done, painted with new brakes, etc, it just doesn't make sense.

That's $400 on top of the $400 for the gears and $375 or whatever for the installation kit. Patrick seems like a great guy, and I'd do it if I was in Arizona, but there's no way that shipping it both ways makes sense to me...I'll end up with over $1200 in the rear end alone!!! Still need to buy the bed, finish the wood, assemble everything, etc. Way over budget, as usual.

Isn't the "third member" just the center chunk - not the entire axle? :confused:

ftyler is correct, you do not ship the housing and the brake assemblies, just the tube and the gears..

FredB, What fun is a project that is not over budget and doesn't take longer than expected ?

Get a quote from Greyhound or a real trucking company. It should cost no where near that to ship it.
And since he exchanges, no you don't buy the kit? It is just $400 plus $400 plus shipping?

Fred, the solution is simple, go to Patrick's and have them do it for you, while-u-wait. That's what we did, picked up our eBay bought Suburban in Chicago and followed Route 66 to Phoenix and then a short detour south to Casa Grande. We had a wonderful time and got lots of friendly thumbs up all along the way. The trip home will be that much better once you can comfortably better 50mph.
-John

Unfortunately, I have neither the time NOR the money to make that trip at 45 mph. Patrick says I can do this myself, but I need someone more mechanically inclined to do it for, or with, me. Any volunteers around St. Louis? Otherwise, it's off to the rear end shop for a quote!

Fred,this really is an easy swap. The hardest part is probably splitting the U-joint and pulling the rear apart. Maybe doing everything yourself except setting the pinion depth and backlash would save you some money. If you can turn a wrench everything else is basic. If you have any questions about pulling or replacing the bearings or bushings just ask them here.

Fred, You should go for it. It isn't that hard. If I can do it anyone can. Between your shop manual and the instructions from Patricks you shouldn't have any problems. If you have any questions, post them up here and we'll be glad to give you a helping hand.

Do it, you won't regret it.

George

Hey Fred, Do you know where Performance Transmission is off of Tesson Ferry? There is a place directly accross the street from them that has agreed to put my Patrick's gears in for $250. He said it would take him a day or so to get to. I just have to drop off the extra pumpkin that I have along with the gears and pick them up the next day or so.

Anyway, I hope that things work out for you.

Tom

Tom, do you also have to supply them with the installation kit?

I've emailed Tom directly on this too...not a bad deal if they do it all. Since I'd prefer not to pull the pumpkin myself, wondering how much extra that would be too...

I have already emailed Fred but for anyone else who may want this information......

I already had the installation kit, bearings, spacers, etc. This place will fully rebuild the rear end with all the parts and pieces and return it to me within 2 days for $250.00. This cost would obviously only cover the labor, but I will know that it was done correctly. They come highly recommended which means a lot to me!

Anyway, I hope that this helps.

I hope to see you on the road....cruising at about 65 - 70 mph this spring!