I've been modifying my rigs for the past six years (mostly yotas) but never learned how to set up gears. Well, I think it's about time for me to learn as I finnally gave in and went back to school and now I'm broke and can't afford to pay a shop. What's the best way to learn how to set up gears (probably someone teaching you)? Are there any decent books out there (I've been learn'in how ta read at school)? What would you all knowing all wise rock gurus recomend?

the gears come with a manual (atleast yukon ones) but then I still haven't set up mine :rolleyes:

Gonna need a press/puller, in-lb torque wrench, and then just misc tools.

I thought Randy's ring and pinion had a video maybe by yukon? not sure though.

I hate to say it, but if you're gonna use the truck for anything other than low speed wheeling, take it to a shop that does it all day long, and pay them their money. look at the bright side, the gears should last forever as long as you don't go nuts and break em.

Cajunsukspider- Taking it to the shop is not going to teach him jack about swapping gears himself. He came for advice, not "take it to a shop and pay them to do it" He said he doesn't have the money to pay a shop...that's why he wants to give it a shot. What if everybody told you not to wrench on your rig just take it to the shop? :rolleyes:

Evilwhitey- If you can rebuild and engine, you can swap gears. It just takes and understanding of close tolerances and a ton of patience (since it will probably several tries to get everything set up properly) a few special tools (dial indicator, micrometer/calipers, press, IN/LB torque wrench, etc) There are a ton of gear swap articles, etc on line, but I agree seeing it done can help you decide if it is a task you can handle.

Check Summit racing for the Richmond Gear install video. It's generic and covers several common axles (not Toyota specific) but will give you a good idea of what is required.

Also there is a pretty good Toyata gears swap article on http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/gear_setup/

Cajunsukspider- Taking it to the shop is not going to teach him jack about swapping gears himself. He came for advice, not "take it to a shop and pay them to do it" He said he doesn't have the money to pay a shop...that's why he wants to give it a shot. What if everybody told you not to wrench on your rig just take it to the shop? :rolleyes:

Depends on what shop u go to :flipoff2: I took my rig in to get the front repaired. It was a slow time of the season for them, and they let me do alot of the work myself. Having a teacher with 20 years of differential exlperience is awsome. Sure I had to pay quite abit because it was still their time, but They did give me a decent discount, andI now know what is involved in swapping gears, and have a decent understanding of it. I would try calling around your area, and see if anyone is willing to let u come in for a day, to get the basics of it. If not on your own rig, maybe just to watch some installs. Just my .02

just google it and pull it apart, only way you will learn. i did my 9" for the first time scared that the gears wouldnt last for shit, but here it is a year later and they still look like new. just dig into it.

Depends on what shop u go to :flipoff2: I took my rig in to get the front repaired. It was a slow time of the season for them, and they let me do alot of the work myself. Having a teacher with 20 years of differential exlperience is awsome. Sure I had to pay quite abit because it was still their time, but They did give me a decent discount, andI now know what is involved in swapping gears, and have a decent understanding of it. I would try calling around your area, and see if anyone is willing to let u come in for a day, to get the basics of it. If not on your own rig, maybe just to watch some installs. Just my .02


True, but most shops due to insurance reasons, etc won't... I agree someone with experience to show you how it's done is awesome, but not always possible. Ever see that sign about shop labor goes something like this?
Shop labor: $50/hr
If you watch: $75/hr
If you help: $100/hr :laughing:

The bottomline is if after researching it and gathering the neccessary parts and tools, a gear swap isn't all that hard...just do it.

The first motor I ever rebuilt sent a piston through the cylinder wall a few weeks later...oooops, oh well live and learn. I learned a lot and my next rebuilt engine went much better and was still going strong 10 years later.

I did my gears and they came out fine drove the truck for 3 more years before I sold it with no problems. Aside from saving some money there is a great deal of satisfaction from doing it yourself.

Also get what is called " set of setup bearings" the tech guy will know. It's an extra set of bearing that have been machined to allow a slip fit to check other tolerances, when you have it set up, remove these bearings and put in press fit bearings. it is not hard, just time consuming. Dont go for a soso pattern, make it right and they will last.

here is an article on gear swap for a toyota 3rd member.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/gear_setup/

the nice thing is they are the same front and rear for setup and you can set them on the work bench to do them.

any kit you buy will have the wear pattern pics and some setup paste come with it. go to the website above and follow instructions. dont stop untill the pasted footpattern is right and the backlash is accurate.

goodluck

Thanks a lot guys, I think I'll give it a shot. I've torn down engines, axles and just about everything else on a yota so I figure I've got a pretty good shot at doing gears. For some reason I (and others I've talked to) have some idea that setting up gears requires a professional.

Thanks a lot guys, I think I'll give it a shot. I've torn down engines, axles and just about everything else on a yota so I figure I've got a pretty good shot at doing gears. For some reason I (and others I've talked to) have some idea that setting up gears requires a professional.


professional hahaha no way it takes a pro to be able to read a manual or do research, tell everyoen that says this to get lost, $20 says i can get my woman to do it and she only knows how to put gas in the truck. all you need to know is how to read and you can do anything