Regearing an 8.8

[Freshmeat]

What tools do I need?
I'm getting free 3.55s from someone who bought an 8.8 for his Jeep and immediately swapped in 4.10s. Gears are mint condition.
Any write-ups and tool references would be great!
(No- GMGT does NOT classify as a tool in this situation.)

[Lincolnmania]

1/2" drive impact gun, 1/2" socket, 3/4" socket, 5/16" 6 point wrench, 12mm 12 point wrench or socket, i think the pinion nut is 1 1/8" (dont quote me on that lol) a seal puller is handy, a long punch and a hammer to drive the races out.........a race and seal driver to install the races, a shop press, some use a dial indicator (i need to invest in one soon) it's not too hard man u can do it
scott

[88grandmarq]

swapping the ring and pinion is not too hard. most of the time you can get away with re-using the exsisting pinion shim and the depth will be correct.
I swapped my factory 2.73 gear for a used, 3.27 gear, it came out perfectly. I didn't have a press to swap out the pinion bearing, but I found a transmission shop that swapped bearings for me for free, I didnt complain.

A big impact gun is required for removing the pinion nut and re-installing it, a new pinion crush sleeve is also a must. new pinion bearing is must, since most of the time the old one is damaged when its pressed off. new axle bearings and seals are a good idea too.

[Freshmeat]

I talked to my buddy who runs that Mustang shop and he's going to help me do it. Free. Only gotta pay for whatever can't be re-used.
That helps a lot. I was going to buy the tools and start offering the service to others, but I'm gonna learn from him first-hand and gather up the tools as I go.
Thanks for the responses, though!

[PatFromJersey]

Hey Mang, if you really want to learn how to rebuild the 8.8 rear, buy the DVD of this Mang! It's the best $40 I ever spent, and I've done 7 rebuilds with no comebacks. (just one leaky pinion seal I should have replaced :cuss: ) Here's the link to the Mang...

http://www.badshoeproductions.com/index.html

:slug:

[Chevyguy]

Using teh used gears will require getting teh contact set up EXACTLY as it was in the original rear end. There is a wear pattern already in the gears. You will proabably get some whine etc as you will not hit the same "spot" even though the gears are properly adjusted etc.

Beacuse of this, most mechanics don't bother swapping in used gears. There is more labor than the cost of the gears themselves etc...

Pat can probably get em to mesh smooth though :slug:

[Freshmeat]

He said they look brand new... and either way, they're free and they're getting installed free, so I'm okay with that.

[p71towny]

Yeah, I've got a set of used 3:55s for the vic. Im gonna throw em in this spring/summer.

[Freshmeat]

If I get gear whine from these, I'll judge by the performance difference what I want to do. If the whine is unbearable, I'll replace them with new. How these feel will determine whether the new ones will be 3.55s or 3.73s.

I have a feeling I'm gonna like the 3.55s, though... it's gonna run like a whole new car...
I'm so stoked. I don't think about anything but getting it done, now.

[grandpaslincoln]

So, GIT R DONE!!!!!!!