Gear Shop in East Bay

Hey guys,
I've tried to look on here for recommended shops to put in gears but haven't found anything.

I'm going to be putting in Nitro 4.88s on my TRD Sport MT and want to know who you guys would recommend doing it.
I'm decently mechanically inclined but I'm not about to attempt this.

I've hear Pete's Transmission in Hayward is pretty decent, can anyone vouch for him?

Thanks

 

Shaffer’s Offroad in Alameda.

 

Thanks, I'll give them a call.
Pete's gave me a $2,000 estimate for labor. Is this about what I should expect?

 

@shaffersoffroad installed my 5.29s

 

Looks like they'll do it for $2600 parts and labor.
Doesn't seem too bad

 

How much was the labor alone? Got my new 3rd members being built now by ECGS and might just bite the bullet and pay for install.

 

They said if I ordered the Nitro gears through them it would be $2600 parts/labor.
If I bought the gears myself ($1448 Summit), labor will be $1450.

 

Rear ended shop in Livermore did mine. 4.88 nitros for $2200

 

Oh that is pretty close to me. I work in Livermore. Do you know what shop? I assume you haven't had problems?

 

It’s called The Rear End shop. No problems. Good customer service

 

Rear end specialties in Santa Clara charged me $1000 for labor. I supplied the parts. This was probably 3 or so years ago so prices may have changed.

 

the son took over the shop, the prices have been updated. i'd definitely call to verify.

 

Didnt know that, glad i had it done when i did

 

I would consider this, then you can get it build out how you want it and just deal w/ the install yourself.

otherwise you can always just take out the 3rd member and front diff and bring it to a driveline shop. save money where you can where it makes sense. sometimes it's easier just letting someone take care of everything if you don't have the space, time, or experience working on your own stuff.

 

Thanks for the help! Keep em coming
Looks like pricing can be all over.

I hate to ask... 4.88 or 5.29?
Light offroading (nothing insane, just moderate trails), some commuting.
The problems I'm facing are rolling up to red lights in 2nd and trying to take off but I'm too low in revs, so I have to go to 1st just to get it to go a little bit then shift into 2nd.
5th gear seems useless because I just shift from 4th to 6th on the highway. Sometimes 3rd to 6th if i rev out 3rd.

Again, thank you all for the recommendations

 

Thanks. Perhaps I'm interpreting your response wrong or maybe it was intended for OP. To clarify I did order prebuilt 3rds from ECGS plus a locker in rear. I think I'll just bite the bullet and pay for install and keep my ego out of it. To date, I've done everything myself, but with corona (i.e. lack of my right hand man to help wrench) and it probably taking us 2 days (as first timers) to do the removal and install (wifey not so happy stuck with little ones on my days off), I think I'll just pay a shop. Shaffer's seems to have the best option thus far.

Damnit, I really want to do the wrenching myself though. It is going to be a missed opportunity to learn if I pay a shop. Rear seems straight forward, the front looks to be a bitch though. Probably best not piss of my wife taking up the whole weekend. Aggghhh. Back and forth my mind goes.

 

What makes Shaffer's so appealing to me is the owner has a few Baja wins.

I get exactly what you mean. I've never taken any of my vehicles into a shop but this one I'm gonna put my pride aside and let someone else handle it.

 

Mike is also actively engaged in this community. He has a Tacoma that he camps with. And he’s just a Totally Rad dude...

 

I think I'll for sure go to him. Unless another shop is ridiculously cheap but then that's questionable..

 

Which shop would you guys recommend shaffer’s or rear end specialties? Price is basically the same labor wise since I have all the parts already. Shaffer’s is closer to home.

Also I’m kinda leaning toward rear end specialties based on over the phone conversations.