With all the axle work i've been doing lately i've been thinking that it would be cool to have a nice writeup on the basics of setting up gears. I dont know how to do em myself, and dont plan on doing my own, but i would like to have a bit more knowledge on the subject. I think having detailed explanations of things like backlash, bearing preload, and how to do a test patern and what it should look like as well as examples of different wrong paterns and what is wrong with them. Tho i know i'm not ready to install gears myself I would like to be able to do em someday and i would at least like to know what all you guys are talking about when you discuss gears. So all you gear gurus who wants to help :D.

Dallas

Here's one link: http://www.off-road.com/toyota/gears.html

There was a full toy gear set up in one of the last 4x4 mags - but I can't remember if it was peterson's or 4wheeler.

Wait - here's more:

gear swap:http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/toyota/tech/gear_setup/

detroit install: http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/toyota/tech/detroit_locker/

sound like we need to prod gearman and get to picking his brain.

go to randy's ring and pinion, they got tons of tech articles, including one almost exactly like you discribed. They are pdf documents, easily printed, I got a grease covered copy in my garage right now for reference while I set up my first set, of course I'm using junk yard gears, and a welded carrier in so if/when it blows up I'm not out much, it's the only way to learn.

chad