Gears and Lockers BS Thread

still waiting on my gears from the group buy.... arb rear lockers are back ordered. One day I will have some power back

 

When Eric hooked up the compressor he had to disconect the battery so the gauge has to be re calibrated. When I finaly got to 65mph I noticed it read 2500 and in the LA area going 65 is not a normal speed more like 45-50 I looked at the rpm's a couple of times and when I got to go 65mph it read 2500 / 2600. If you check out GrimmJeeper it will show for a v6 auto trans around 2339rpm @70mph on 34.84" tires now that's not a $300.00 difference but it's the truth.

 

Ugh installing gears in that clamshell brings the suck. I did my 4.56s myself and there are several special tools required, include a special indicator just to read the backlash. What a PITA.

 

Well for those that didn't know I had a few issues with the swap. 1st the front diff breather was smashed during shipping. Ecgs sent a new one that same day. Looks like it might be a pain to get the old one out.

Then I didn't realize we had to swap the stub shaft in and that resulted in me not having the front tires functioning in 4wd. I wouldn't have figured it out had one of the guys that work at ecgs didn't browse the forums and happened to see my thread. I got the email a few days back that the part is on its way back to me. Sucks I have to drop the front diff again but I'll be happy to have 4wd again.

ECGS hands down has the best customer service I have dealt with.

 

A couple questions: 1 There is no problem doing the rear first and the front later as long as you dont engage four wheel drive correct? 2 Baby Taco what are you refering to about the stub shaft on the clamshell swap? I was looking at one of the write ups on the front diff swap and I dont remember seeing the term stub shaft used? Are there better links for write ups on the front diff? Thanks

 

Well just swapped out the rear diff, and so far so good. Just did my initial 20 min drive and so far no leaks and it rides so nice! Im taking it easy but I can already notice I have power back! Gonna be a long 500 miles!

 

The gear you see in the top center is the stub shaft. Pretty easy to miss if you are not really paying attention like I was.

 

Good to know thank you. I had to swap the elocker sensor from one to the other on the rear diff. This was not mentioned in the write up I believe because he had his own third rebuilt instead of swapping. No biggie, I noticed when there was nothing to plug the wire harness to. It was pretty easy. Thanks for the heads up Babytaco!

 

S just about done with my gears install what a nightmare. Ran into hiccup after hiccup.

Did any one else have issues with their install kits? My kits where missing shims and one came with my totally wrong seals.

Very disappointed considering how expensive they are.

 

Does a front locker reduce the turning radius when its not activated?

 

No doesnt do anything when not on...an arb that is

 

So am I the only SOB that has not got his gears and lockers installed yet? My preferred technician is healing up from a hamstring injury, and with my truck getting a lousy 16.5MPG now, I hate to see what it gets with 4.56 gears..... 33" skinny tires on the truck.

 

I haven't done my front yet, hopefully this week.

 

Is the axle nut 35mm or 36mm, I saw it listed as both in different write ups. Want to make sure I have what I need before I have no wheels. I am about to attempt the front diff swap in my garage. Wish me luck!

 

36mm

 

Thanks

 

Ok so ive got tie rods off, sway bar off, lower knuckle off, and axle nuts off and my axles will not come out of the spindles. They are both stuck. Ive been beating on them with a dead blow for about 20 min and no budging. Any advice?

 

I found it easier to disconnect them from the diff first. Then it took a couple whacks with the dead blow.

 

Thanks I will try that. Stay tuned

 

Still wont budge. Have a pry bar on the inside of the axle by the diff and it wont budge. Been beating the axle end mercilessly and nothing. FML