How long to swap entire rear end of a car?

[Drache]

Ok so I wanted to find out how much it would roughly cost my cousin's shop to swap the entire rear end of my car out to another one I have in a crate. But my cousin is not at the shop, he's off on vacation and no one else could give me a rough answer. So how long does it take on average (without problems) to swap one rear end for another? I've been told from 2 or 3 hours to as high as "two working days". Both rear ends are the exact same size. 

[moparstuart]

Ok so I wanted to find out how much it would roughly cost my cousin's shop to swap the entire rear end of my car out to another one I have in a crate. But my cousin is not at the shop, he's off on vacation and no one else could give me a rough answer. So how long does it take on average (without problems) to swap one rear end for another? I've been told from 2 or 3 hours to as high as "two working days". Both rear ends are the exact same size.  

My son and I did it in about 6 hours but we had to get a brake line a wheel cyl  and replace a u joint

   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32617.msg1077973.html#msg1077973

[b5blue]

Barring things like frozen bolts and brake fittings, mismatched/incorrect components or looking for a hour for the tool you just had in your hand...4 hours tops. Have you new axle to spring U bolts? (Recommended.)

[Drache]

Barring things like frozen bolts and brake fittings, mismatched/incorrect components or looking for a hour for the tool you just had in your hand...4 hours tops. Have you new axle to spring U bolts? (Recommended.)

The rear brakes were changed about a year ago. The rear end should be the exact same as what is in there. And I don't get charged when my cousin's employees misplace their tools

As for the Ubolts, no. Are they something special or generic?

[JB400]

Assuming you have all the right tools, parts, and at least a helper, 2-3 hrs.   When Murphy starts helping, it might as well take a little while longer, kinda like Stu and his trans in the birdible

[Cooter]

30 min with torch, on the ground. Buy new U-bolts. They ain't that expensive at the auto parts store. Many 8 3/4 rears use 3" bolts.

Driveshaft, Blow the U-bolts off, Unhook at Rubber brake hose, unhook E-brake cables. Grab buddies for lifting rear over springs, swap rear.

BUT, at a shop, they are there to make money, NOT save YOU money and many won't even mess with an old car "Project" like yours. 2-3 Hours ain't a bad estimate. The "One-Two days" thing is most likely working it in when tiome allows.

[b5blue]

So your changing out brakes? Backing plates? Or this axle is "Fully Dressed"?  Let's see 4 u joint, 2 for the shocks, 4 to drop the rear shackles so you can slide it out, 8 for the u bolts, 1 for the E brake adjuster to remove the cable ends 3 clips and one hose end and it's gone. 

[GOTWING]

i think i did one on a lift with a friend of mine in about 3-4 hours. ( that included stopping to take a chug of Moosehead every few min. ) 

[John_Kunkel]

Back in the sixties/seventies there were guys around here who would take a Dana-equipped car on a test drive from a dealer's lot and swap out the Dana for an 8 3/4" in a half hour or less.

That's why salesmen go along on test drives nowadays. 

[ws23rt]

Back in the sixties/seventies there were guys around here who would take a Dana-equipped car on a test drive from a dealer's lot and swap out the Dana for an 8 3/4" in a half hour or less.

That's why salesmen go along on test drives nowadays. 

It is true. One can be fast when motivated. I remember a guy bragging about swapping out engines from a Volkswagen test drive. And another where a guy went shopping and came out to find his 392 hemi missing from his 300C. Of course removing is one thing and installing is another.