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Average price for a R&P swap?

J

Jesse Jaymes

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I have a '74 K5 and want to change from 3.73's to 4.56 with 35" tires. Can I get a few ideas of the labor charges for a swap. Local Law Enforcement Mechanic who does work on the side mentioned about $650ish for just the rear axle. To me, that seems WAY high for just one axle. I was thinking about $650 for both, MAYBE.

I am way off base?

Also, thick and thin gears I thought were for differning carriers, meaning that it really does not matter which gear set you choose to swap, or what your current gear ratio is, as there are thick and thin sets of gears to offset the need for changing carriers from carrier breaks?

If I am way confused, can someone please simplify and state if I will even need to worry over it going from 3.73 to 4.56? This is standard 12bolt rear and 44 front.

Lastly, I hate 4 Wheel Parts, but they offered a complete R&P set with master installs for $499 with no shipping. I am thinking it will be pretty hard to beat that deal. Thoughts?
 
IMHO $650 is pretty high especially for the rear (front axles require more R&R work).

Your thoughts are correct regarding the thick and thin gearsets, with the exception that all combinations are not always available for a particuliar axle (i.e. there are no "thick" gearsets for a Dodge/GM front D60).
 
I checked with the local Off Road shop specializing in drive train mods. He quoted me about $300 per axle if I supply all of the parts and fluids. I thought this was much more in line.

Now I am re-thinking of getting the most "bang for the buck" and getting Lockers for front and rear diffs and leaving the 3.73's for a while. Looks like at least $1100 to swap ratios, or about $600 in cheap lockers and I could get away with install myself with a smarter buddy or two. Would leave the extra cash to have my NP205 rebuilt and installed to replace an occassionally functioning 203 with no 4Lo.
 
I payed right st 1100 for both diffs including parts, I would think 500-550 would be more inline for the rear including parts. With the way the economy is i would shop around,

Just say

I've been thinking about it for a while but Im stretched tight right now, if you can make me a good deal i can swing it.
 
i installed my ring and pinions myself, but at the time when i called around 1000 and up to do front and rear their parts, not yours.
 
4 wheel parts labor price was $330. for the rear and $430. for the front.

Tarey
 
If you found a shop that will do it for around $300 per axle, that's a good deal. As long as they do a quallity job.

If you had the money, and really felt like it, you could do it yourself. But the cost of some of the tools isn't really worth it for just one use.
 
I had a couple gears swaps done, and I supplied the parts. Cost me $100 front or rear. On the fronts, I take just the housing to them, that way they don't waste time tearing it apart just to get to the carrier. They charge by the hour, said it takes roughly 2 hours.....
 
you might not want to here this. but think 1ton swap. and find a set of mill m-1008 truck axles. you get 4.56 gears and detroit in back. then all basic bolt in and same basic money spent in the end. and big bonus you have 1tons now. bigger brakes and bigger axle shafts and gears. lots of room to grow.

but thats all up to you at this point.
 
around me its about 1200 parts and labor for both on most solid axle trucks. the gears run around 250 (one axle) for motives depending on the shop you buy them from.
 
sweetk30 said:
you might not want to here this. but think 1ton swap. and find a set of mill m-1008 truck axles. you get 4.56 gears and detroit in back. then all basic bolt in and same basic money spent in the end. and big bonus you have 1tons now. bigger brakes and bigger axle shafts and gears. lots of room to grow.

but thats all up to you at this point.
Click to expand...


wheels, mount balance, drivelines..
 
supersize75k5 said:
wheels, mount balance, drivelines..
Click to expand...
If you get a donor truck you get all the above for less if it's 3/4 ton or just around $1300 for a 1 ton.
I could get a complete running 1 ton for $2000.
So yes if you want to swap gears to anything that was offered stock in 3/4 ton or 1 ton, it's way cheaper that way.
If you are looking at gearing in the 5.xx and up then you have to do gear swap
 
Cost for gears/bearings/seals is $200-350 per axle (for quality stuff), depending on the axle.

I charge ~$150 per axle for labor, most shops are $200-500 per axle.
 
38377k5 said:
Cost for gears/bearings/seals is $200-350 per axle (for quality stuff), depending on the axle.

I charge ~$150 per axle for labor, most shops are $200-500 per axle.
Click to expand...

You are reasonable, some might say even cheap.
I know if I had to do a gear swap I would go to you.
I would never pay $500 for labor per axle.
I would however get the best parts, not necessarily the most expensive but the best.
 
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