Who has replaced a complete 3rd member and/or clam-shell from ECGS?

I'm doing some research for options to re-gear, and I gave ECGS a call today. The guy was very helpful and basically told me he would recommend I just buy the rear 3rd member and front clamshell as complete assemblies and just swap them out of my truck, instead of having a shop perform ring/pinion installs.

This sort of makes sense.

Question is: Has anybody gone this route and installed the parts themselves in this manner? I read the sticky about the 3rd member replacement and it doesn't seem too difficult, but I don't know if it makes sense to swap out my factory equipment for members that can be 4 or 5 years older with thousands of miles on them? I know they are rebuilt, but I'm just wondering what others have done.

FWIW, that Chase guy was very knowledgeable and helpful.

 

Ive been thinking of going the same route...

 

I'd ask Chase which components in the third are new and which are used. If they rebuild them with new gears, bearings and seals then I'd think the quality would be as good as new. Like whippersnapper said, the housing doesn't really wear out and I'd think the same goes for the carrier.

 

I wen this way for my ARB installs. He set them up and sent them out to me, I swapped them and sent mine back.

No problems.

Chase has a great warranty so you dont need to worry about anything. Literally. I toasted a Lock-Rite I had and he creditted me towards the ARB the full price over a year later.

Best Customer Service you will get, hands down.

 

IMO best way to do it and 5 year warranty to boot!

 

Yep, chances are the housing you get won't be that old anyway.

Best way to do it I think.

 

swapped the front out but built the rear. i would have swapped both although i have a detroit trutrac in the rear. i strongly suggest the swap its a real pain in the ass to do it yourself . to pay someone to rebuild and install it will cost about 1000-1500 for labor,about 10-15 hours

 

Just came across the thread, I just got my new 3rd member and clamshell in yesterday going to shoot for the install this weekend. If you're still interested I will let you know how everything goes!

 

i would be quite interested..... esp if you took some pics while doing the install.

 

Is it going to help me out that I have the 2.7? You know not as much motor under da hood could possibly mean a little more room to work with underneath. And it can't be as hard as the bullshit DB lift I installed in my old silverado. Stupid Rough Country and their discount lifts

 

pretty sure there are going to be 4 of us working on it, me plus one in the back(easy end) and 2 pros up front

 

hope so, shoe creek trip is coming up very soon, want to have these in!

 

finished the rear diff install! Really Simple, here's what you do:

First drain oil from diff, top hole is fill and bottom is drain


next unbolt drive shaft at rear diff flange



then unbolt all of your brake lines from rear axle housing



then unbolt your emergency brake lines from frame on both sides of truck



next unbolt the 4 bolts holding drums to axle housing on both sides and unplug ABS sensors. Might have to use a dead blow to break drums free from axle housing. Do this on both sides.


then unbolt 3rd member from axle housing



Now that you have the 3rd member unbolted this is where having 3 people with you comes in very handy. Have the two other guys gently pull on the brake drums so the axles are clear from the gears in order to pull 3rd member.

When 3rd is out install new 3rd with your buddies once again gently pulling on the brake drums for clearance. Now re-install everything in the reverse order I just described. Just a note after you bolt in the new 3rd you may have to manually turn the drive flange in order for the axle splines to line up correctly and slide all the way in.

Like I said this was a surprisingly easy job, next weekend...front diff swap(don't worry I removed my front drive shaft so I wont be blowing up my transfer case due to the different gears)


You boys with the PreRunners have it made when it comes to this lol!

 

Trolled by the bump. Woops.

Glad you mentioned this. Tis important....absolutely critical if you've blown up your gearset.

Also, don't forget to re-seal Jim

 

That's a good time!

 

Looks easy enough! As soon as i locate some new pinion bearings im gonna be tackling front and rear gear installs . . . . . anyone know of a good write up for that!? I been trying to get as much info as possible

 

zuk has about the best install writeups you'll find.

 

my buddy owns a trans shop and will be installing them, i asked if i could help and more or less just dont wanna go into it completely ignorant to whats goin on! Thanks for the Zuk reference

 

I guess I did leave out the step about me taking almost an hour to clean it. I keep forgetting sometimes that common sense is no longer so common. The seals have less than 5K on them, I've been in there once before lol

 

Sub'd. Thanks for the write up!