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#57419 03/05/2006 8:11 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4 | I need to replace the 3.73 ring and pinion with 3.08's (or?) in my '66 pickup... How difficult is the set up part??? Can't seem to find a local shop interested in doing it... Am a pretty good wrench, but this is just one of those things I've never done and I'm a little nervous about screwing something up.
Never give up!
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#57420 03/05/2006 10:00 PM | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy donny, the setup is not that difficult,if you have a shop manual just follow the instructions, The new pinion should have some numbers inscribed on it these are your initial setup shim thicknesses, also there might be a prefered backlash figure, always use all new bearings and seals, hope this helps and good luck, if you run into problems just ask us some more questions. | | |
#57421 03/05/2006 11:42 PM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 | if you are going to do this mail me...doc | | |
#57422 03/06/2006 2:47 AM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | you can't.you need a different carrier. | | |
#57423 03/06/2006 9:51 PM | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 | Please expand on this.... Do you mean 3.08's aren't available or....? This is a 12 Bolt rear end.... | | |
#57424 03/07/2006 1:02 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | donny where what part of the country, do you live
Jim & Caroline The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense." Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
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#57425 03/07/2006 4:27 AM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 | You used to be able to buy a spacer | | |
#57426 03/07/2006 4:30 AM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 395 | or was that going the other way??it,s been about 30 years | | |
#57427 03/07/2006 4:39 AM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | 3.73 and up uses one carrier,3.42 and down uses a different carrier.if you had a 3.08 carrier you could use a spacer to use a 3.73 gear.not the other way around. | | |
#57428 03/07/2006 5:09 AM | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 | Originally posted by carolines truck: donny where what part of the country, do you live I'm near Goldendale WA - hwy 97 North of the Columbia river. | | |
#57429 03/07/2006 5:15 AM | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 | BTW - my handle changed - was already registered as Doctor Dogg.... So they kept that one.... Anyway - I'm hearing that there's no way I can do 3.08's with this carrier - how do I get a higher rear end for highway cruising? Do a complete rear end swap??? If I have to keep the 3.73's this thing will be a major gas sucker and is running too high at highway speeds.... Options? Ideas? Thanks! | | |
#57430 03/08/2006 2:11 AM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 613 | go to the link pape and look up randys ring and pinion.call them and see if they can help. | | |
#57431 03/08/2006 3:14 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | What transmission do you have? If an auto you could use a 700 or 200 and if a standard you could use an old Borgwarner OD unit or a T-5. The first two would give you a 2.61 final and the T5 would give a 2.98 final. Just something to think about since it would keep the 3.73's for trailer pulling or heavy loads but give shallow gearing for highway cruising. This option is more pricey than a R&P swap, but a lot more versatile.
Evan
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#57432 03/09/2006 2:52 AM | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 | Well, thanks to all!!! I've found a complete rear end from a '68 Suburban that is supposed to bolt right up to my rig in place of the stocker. Apparently, these are pretty hard to find. The trans swap idea is a good one, but with the 3 speed 350 in now, I can downshift if I hit bad hills. Not likely to do much towing. Again, I appreciate all the input and have learned a lot from this experience.... More to come with the swap, I'm sure, and will report my mileage changes. Thanks again! Doctor Dogg (donny) | | |
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