The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 355 gear classic from parts

The standard on the forum seems to purchases these gears and installation kits from Patric's. Has anyone used the ones from classic parts? With the classic parts discount there is a good savings there. One would think there are only a couple companies making these gears or even one and the suppliers are getting them from the same vendor. Any thoughts? Thanks Steve

Patrick's and Mothertrucker sell those gear sets. MT's price w/shipping is better. The sets are the same quality (probably from the same manufacturer in China/Taiwan?).

Most of the other vendors who sell the 3.55 R&P get them from Patrick's. Here is one of many old discussions on this topic.

I'd go with MT. If you go with Patrick's, try to haggle on the price - he is often flexible.

I'm not sure if this is still the case or not, but I was told that Richmond Gear does the manufacturing of those gearsets, as well as the 3.38 gearset for the '55-'62.

What would be that part number?

Doesn't look like the Richmond lists them. I will admit, I was told that Richmond was the manufacturer quite some time ago, back when I was hunting parts for the differential in mine, I thing it was around '96 when I had talked to them. It's possible they may not make them anymore.

Bill,

I called them a few minutes ago and their Tech Support person said "no" 3.55 for that application.

Patrick told me years ago who made them and it seems like it was Richmond.
Just because Richmond does not list them does not mean they do not make them. I think they are under contract to make them, not sell them to the public.

I got mine from Mother's but have not purchased the install kit yet. I'd like to find this kit from a US maker if possible. The deal from MT's was much better than other sources as I recall.

Thanks all will purchase mine soon!

I just purchased the 3.55 R&P from MT. Have either of you installed yours? Any advice? My truck is a 46 1/2 ton.

Has a 'parts list' (bearings, seals, gaskets, etc.) ever been created for the 3.55 swap on 41-46 1/2 ton? Thanks!

I did the 3.38 swap in my 56.. here's what I did: I went on ebay and found a good center section with the original 3.90 R&P in it. then I took that and the new 3.38 gear set to an axle/trans shop and said "please rebuild with the new R&P at your leisure". They gave me a good price to do this on a "no rush" basis as 'fill-in' work. I did this for that reason and to avoid disabling the truck. when it was all done I had my new R&P in there, new bearings all around, and the lash properly set (something I was not comfortable doing myself). Then it was a short and simple job to swap out the center sections and be on the road again in a couple of hours. I subsequently sold the 3.90 center section plus the spare R&P to recoup the expense I incurred to get the extra center section.

the swap was well worth doing. my truck, and many of the ones here, do not have to get a heavy load moving any longer and lower revs at roadspeed is a great improvement.

Yukon Gear makes most of them. They are good quality.

Both Patrick's and M&T have ring and pinion sets available. However M&T does not sell the installation kit. I could be wrong but I believe Patrick's is one that developed the the r&p system and kit. However currnetly there are no oakey bushings available anywhere in the country. I have been working with Patrick's and I know this for a fact. And if you buy the r&p set w/installation kit Patrick's would be the best guy to help you if a have a problem or question. Sometime the service is worth more than the couple of bucks you might save.

Does Classic Parts have the installation kit in-stock?

I know this thread is about 3.55 gear but this is my story as George mentioned Yukon.
I bought a ring and pinion, 3.38, from Yukon and it whined big time. I'll admit they sent me another and to my surprise it was WORST than the first one. They then told me they didn't guarantee it anymore! I then put the first one back in and sent the worst one back.......they then said it was because I ordered a 3.38 so go figure. I'm out my money and have a whining ring/pinion. We just never know............

EDIT: just to make it clear, I had a professional do the build. A guy who has built more ring/pinions then 98 % of other guys. Big trucks to rock crawlers to work for other dealers..... so it wasn't me!!

Installing the gears is not rocket science....
If you hire a competent axle shop to do the install & set up there are never any problems.

Unlike Pat's {who has a well documented history of charging credit cards & not shipping the parts for up to 6 months....if at all}.

I would rather get the identical gears from the same manufacturer promptly for $100 cheaper from M.T who has them in stock & ready to ship.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/img_0981-jpg.3074644/

I have never heard of ANYONE having any problems at all with not promptly receiving the gears that M.T offers.



Pats is another story.........

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1167051/1.html

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ith-patricks-antique-truck-parts.645293/

.

The gears that both vendors sell come from the same manufacturer. The issue with Patrick's as I understand is a cashflow issue and keeping parts in stock.

Doing the swap can be intimidating, but if you have an attention to detail, follow these instuctions

3:55 Gear Installation

Not Real Happy With Patrick's ** Ordered his 3:55 R&P set with kit was told by Patrick it would take a couple weeks to ship and he would call me when ready to ship. Guess he had my credit card on file from a previous order. You guessed it he went ahead and ran my card {without my O.K.} to the tune of $700.00. That was over two months ago and have yet to receive any parts.

I order my 3:55 ring and pinion set on 10/01/2015 I received most of the parts in the beginning of May still waiting. I was told it would be a couple more weeks for the balance. Supposingly he is having vendor problems. Very frustrating.