with 35's what gear's do you run with a 3.0 that's as close as stock. and how bout with 33's. and when you do change gears, how many people have just bought new front and rear 3rd members and installed them on their own. b/c i think the price fore the 3rd's is like 325 a piece and someone told me that if you send them your old 3rd members they will take some of the price off. if this is the case then it saves like 300 just on cost alone. if this is true then why doesn't every toyota regear this way or do they and i just didn't realize it.
thanks,
alan

 

the price on regearing is dependant on where you go.. there isnt a set scale... 5.29s or 4.88s would probably be best for 35s

 

most people run 5.29's with 35's, and 4.88 with 33's. I have 33's and stock gearing and the tires definatly took a lot of power from the truck. But am planing to get 4.88's. I actualy allready have a front 3rd with a lockrite and 4.88's in my garage, I just need to get gears for the back.

 

If I understand you, there are 2 reasons we don't buy new third members when we re-gear. Assuming you're having it done by a qualified shop, as you noted, they will usually charge half as much if you carry your thirds in. So, you have to remove yours to carry them in. When they're done you have to reinstall them. Why would you buy new thirds then? You save no money on gear installation at the shop and it's the same job for you to remove and replace your thirds, so the extra cost for new thirds is a waste of money. Same applies to if you drop off your truck and pay them to do it all. The thirds still have to come out and go back in, so there is no reason to buy new ones.

NOW, if you get lucky and find someone selling thirds with the gear ratio you want *already installed* - then you can eeasily swap them yourself and save a ton of money! This would be great but it doesn't happen too often.

 

This is where I got my rear 3rd member already set-up with 5.29s and an ARB locker: http://www.offroadsolutions.com/products/drivetrain.htm

 

flamed,
the 3rds come with the gears you want in them and you send in your old 3rd after you've done the install of the new ones. And i think it is easier to install 3rds than new ring and pinions. so i will be doing the install myself . so if my understandingis correct, i save on install b/c it's an easier process for me. if i wanted i could get a locker to comewith me bolt up new 3rd too, and i save when i send my old one's back.this process should cost me around 500 which is half the price of going to a shop to regear and the self pleasure of doing the work myself? IF there is a visible flaw in my plan please let me know. And i think i'm going to get 4.88 and run 33's now and then next time i need tires i will get a 2inch body lift and run 35's and stay witht he 4.88.
thanks,
alan
oh yeah mtgoat, how much did the 3rd cost you without the locker being in it? if you don't mind me asking?

 

ok just got off the phone with randy's ring and pinon.
quoted for open 4.88's front and rear 3rd cost 830 and 700 so it's 1500 front and rear shipped. it would be more expensive if i had abs.
then i get 200 for my rear housing and 75 for my front housing whand i send them back so it would cost 630 adn 625 shipped for the new front and rear 3rds and then add 250 for a full detroit in the rear. which is the same price if i wanted to just put a lockrite in the rear.so 1255 for shipped new 3rds to me and then i gotta pay for shipping like 40 bucks to get my old ones to them. i found the flaw boys
it ended up costing a lil more to do it this way. for some reason i found new 3rds somewhere for 325 a piece and i can't remember where now. IF this pricing sounds off please someone tell me b/c the guy said he will beat any price i can find.
thanks,
alan

 

Could I order just the gears off that site and have them installed or do I need the ring and pinion install kit too?

The only other place I've seen for gears is Randy's and that is really expensive. Why is this place so much cheaper?

Thanks

 

well i just called reider racing and they siad if i ship my old one's to them they will change everything out to 4.88's and ship them back with in like less than a week and it would only cost 730 parts and labor. at 430 for a full detroit. this is much better deal and cheaper than going to say 4wheelparts to get regeared. anyone see a flaw in this plan?

 

It definitely pays to shop around. One shop here quoted me $1300 installed for just the gears (includes new bearings etc of course) or $1150 if I brought them my thirds only. Another (the one I went with...) quoted me $625 for the same thing, carry in my thirds. I added a Truetrac and spent $1100. Smokin deal.

I have actually seen the complete thirds swap deals but never thought much about it because it didn't seem to be a very good price. I had forgotten about it - my bad.

I hope my tone didn't sound bad, I was trying to explain and offer info, not belittle a legitimate question.

 

DO NOT go to 4wp for gears they use crappy stuff. they'll try to convince you with life time warranty but it doen't cover labor or towing cost. besides, if you use quality parts, there's no need for replacement.
I would pay for the locker while you're at it. You're gonna want it later if you wheel it. why pay twice for the labor?

 

flamed, no harm done nor even thought about it that way. i know that anything said here by most folk is just info that have and would like to share to be helpful. that's what this site is for and it was greatly appreciated.
so there were local shops around you that you could just walk in with your 3rds and get them done and pick them up and it would cost the same or less is the price i got quoted to ship mine to the people to get hte work done?
true on te locker theory, i just hope i have the cash to do it b/c i'm gonna be getting my new tiresa nd wheels at te same time all this is being done.
thanks,
alan