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Front 10 bolt gear swap?

Taylormade

Taylormade

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I recently upgraded to a 9.5sf 14b rearend with 3.42 gears and stock posi unit. I called to get quotes on gear swaps for this and was surprised at the amount. 1000 on average, to match my 3.73 front. My question is...can I swap a gearset and posi unit from a 01 camaro into my 10b front? Found the whole setup on ebay for just over 200.
 
You need to find a better shop, parts should be in the $300-350 range for good stuff and most shop charge ~$300 for gear setup. We can get you any drivetrain stuff you need.

As for the Camaro diff, no, it's a much smaller 10 bolt (7.625" or something like that).
 
Ask in the regional section for good shops.

A grand for one end is too much

Did you just call a mechanics shop, or an off road shop?

Most gear changes book at like 6 hours if I remember correctly at most mechanics shops that's going to be over 500 for labor
 
Thanks, good to know! I thought those quotes seemed a bit high. The camaro setup was advertised as 8.5". I am looking to run 3.42s up front temporarily. Getting out of the military in 4 months...funds are tied up in my new shop so changing front and rear to a better gear is not an option right now.
 
Longview driveshaft and 4x4 quoted me 1087...another smaller 4x4 shop was 940. I cant let myself spend a grand on the 9.5sf that i picked up for 80 bucks. Ill call around tomorrow again to see if anyone can do better.
 
No way I'd pay $1000 to anyone to set up gears.

Do you drive this rig? Can you remove the front axle and take it in to a shop to get setup? Sometimes carrying in parts is cheaper since they won't have to take up space on a lift or a bay. Taking parts in to where they can put it up on a bench to setup can be much cheaper. I did this back in my early 20's before I learned how to do it myself. Back when I took a D60 and a 14FF in to get 4.56 and Detroits in both setup, it cost me under $300 to get everything done. I carried them in and when they got done, I loaded them up and walked out of the shop. That was their labor cost, too.
 
I dont drive it. Actually its been broken for the last 4 years until a couple weeks ago when I replaced the rear 10b. I can remove the front axle. I didnt think of that. Thanks
 
If you can strip it completely down to nothing but the bare housing, that should knock off a lot of coin for the shop to do the work. It makes it easier for them to move it around in a hurry if need be.

Plan on removing EVERYTHING. Then clean it up real good to where theres no grease, oil, dirt, etc. Make it a spotless housing. Shops appreciate a clean part to build.
 
I like your style! That can be done. Although, I have never taken an axle apart completely before. Any special tools required for this?
 
Wheel bearing nut socket and ball joint adjusting nut socket. Thats about it. Everything else is standard backyard mechanic tools.
 
No prob! Thats what this site is for!
 
When I do gears I only knock about 50 bucks off if the axle is taken apart.

But for a grand you could drive here pay me a bit to do the gears and drive home!
 
That would be quite an adventure in my ole k5...Even as a stock daily driver i dont think i took it more than 50 miles one way! Mountain home colse to you?
 
For less than 1k you could buy a matching pair of axles with just about any gear ratio you need AND pay the person to install them.
 
I do have a 14bff/10b 4.11s 8 lug...(main reason for not going through with the swap) picked up for 500 bucks. I thought it was a good deal at the time. Not so much anymore. They are just sitting for now, waiting for their turn. I think ill be ok with the 14bsf though. As long as i can get matching gears without taking out a loan...
 
So what's wrong with swapping in the matching axles you already have, (unless you don't have 8 lug wheels yet)?
 
I dont have the 8 lug wheels yet. The 6 lug 14b was my cheapest option.
 
Too bad you are in Texas, I have a 10b front w/ 3.42 gears and a 6 lug 14bsf w/ 3.73 :doah:

Wouldn't it be cheaper to swap in the 14bff and buy new 15" 8 Lug rims? About $320 for the rims and you would be finished.
 
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