when im installing a detroit true trac, can i just take the gear, bearings, shims ect, and put on this assembly and reinstall? or will i need to get some help and have the gears set up or should i just check it before i cap it

edit: this is on a 2001 f-350 w/ a 10.5 rear end

re-use all your shims in there original places. Then check the pattern. It may, MAY be a wee bit off.

I just did this last week. I installed a Detroit locker in place of an LSD in a 10.5. The total width between the bearing surfaces should be really close. the detroit instructions recomend that you measure the carrier width using a very expensive device & use that to recalculate your shims.

The other way to do it is to measure your backlash with the stock carrier installed & then install detroit & recheck backlash. Then you shim from there to get back to the stock backlash (mine was .012"). I was lucky & had no change in backlash.

The shims are very thick on sterling (about 1/4" thick) so you would need to source them which I would imagine would be very expensive outside of an install kit. One option you may have would be to swap side on the shims. my shims measured .283" & .280" so I could have swapped them & closed the backlash by .001" or .002".

If you want to reuse your stock bearings (if theyre in acceptable condition) you should have them pulled by a diff shop that has the correct carrier bearing puller tool (either Randy's or Ford/OTC). If your buying new then your probably better off buying the whole install kit. Since the carrier bearings by themselves are $80+ a set.

10.25 Sterling Rear...