Re-gearing front

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Apr 10, 2003 | 07:31 PM

sandrat

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From: Back where I started...

Re-gearing front

I have a whole new rear axle (3.50, limited slip) lined up to replace what I have now (3.08, open) in my 91 F-150. Since it's 4wd, I obviously need to re-gear my front end too, if I want to run 4x4. How hard is it to re-gear a TTB front end, or should I let a shop handle this? Thanks

Apr 10, 2003 | 08:24 PM

77'F-150Mudder

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From: Boise, ID

Re-gearing front

Regearing a TTB isn't much more trouble that regearing a straight axle. If you have the tools and knowledge and have ever regeared anything, I'd say go for it. If you don't have the tools or don't know what tools you need then I'd say take it to a shop. Diff set up can be tricky. Not always, but sometimes you'll find a diff that will be a real bear to set up for one reason or another.

Apr 10, 2003 | 08:40 PM

tellico racing

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From: Southwestern Michigan

Re-gearing front

I did mine myself....But I bit off more than I could chew, I got it set up correctly but it took a while. I would say take it to a shop, The bearings have to be pressed on and off the carrier as you add or remove shims.I ended up increasing the I.D. of a set of bearings so they would slip on and off and used them as a mock up.

Apr 11, 2003 | 01:42 AM

pbrstreetg

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From: Homestead, FL

Re-gearing front

Yeah you might want to shop that around unless your deadset on doing more of the same work in the future. The first thing you're gonna learn is you need a case spreader to remove the carrier.

Apr 11, 2003 | 05:37 AM

tellico racing

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Re-gearing front

It can be done without a case spreader, but that would have made things much easier when I did mine.

Apr 11, 2003 | 11:06 PM

RCrawler

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From: Southern Oregon USA

Re-gearing front

The shop that I work for builds about 400 differentials a year. We don't even have a case spreader in the shop. I use a prybar and a wrench on one of the ring gear bolts to remove, and a brass hammer to install the Dana carriers. It is very simple to do. I can tell right away when the carrier bearing preload is right by how the carrier goes into the housing.

You have to be very careful when using one. You can easily break or bend the housing if you go too far. This is why it is crucial to use a dial indicator with the case spreader.

Jason