Gear question.

[terrible one]

Excuse my ignorance, but. . .

Right now I've got an open rear end with 2.76 gears. For a while I've been considering finding a 3.91 member or so to just swap out because then it's a bolt/unbolt thing. However, the lower gear 3rd members are really expensive, and shipping would be a lot too. What would I have to do if I just bought a ring and pinion gear set? Just pay someone to put it in the rear and gap it to spec, etc.? If so, that would definitely be cheaper. I just don't know anything when it comes to rears, but I'm going to have a smogger engine and tall tires so I know I need something higher if I want some get up and go.

[moparguy01]

youd need to have the ring and pinion installed and have it "setup" alot of semi places can do this, I've used Inland Truck Parts for mine for years. anyways Inland used to charge about 150 to set up the gears. now thats just to set them up, you installing all the bearings and such. so i'd say 250-300 wouldnt be out of the question.

it would probably be cheaper to have it done than buy it done.

[terrible one]

Yeah, I mean I'm seeing old units selling for like $300-400 anyways. And as I said that's not with shipping.

There's a few truck places around here, so I'll ask around. $150 is kind of high to me, but I guess that's normal going rate. I figure that would be the best way to go though. . .

[74Charger]

Because you said you have an open rearend.

You might be better off.  Keeping your eye out for a complete third member.  With the gears you want. And a suregrip unit.  I got my 742 case off ebay for $400 with 3:91 gears and a suregrip unit in it.  It was in excellent condition.  Ready to drop right in.  it cost $60 to ship by UPS in a 5-gallon bucket.  The suregrip unit alone is close to $400 by itself.

Just my $.02

[Runner]

Yeah, I mean I'm seeing old units selling for like $300-400 anyways. And as I said that's not with shipping.

There's a few truck places around here, so I'll ask around. $150 is kind of high to me, but I guess that's normal going rate. I figure that would be the best way to go though. . .

   150 is pretty reasonable considering most places run around 85 bucks an hour labor now.     i personally think 350-400 for a good used set is a fair deal, if you dont like the  3.91s youll still have the 2.76s for back up.   

   if your paying someone to do it,  youll have around 200 in gears , 150-200 in set up, bearing kit  (if you choose to do it) is about 100 bucks,   so youll have 450 at least in it.

    good luck on whatever you decide 

[terrible one]

Ah yeah, I'm not so against having an open rear end, just trying to figure out the cheapest route to make the car actually move itself from a standstill haha. I guess you're right about having upwards of $400 into my current rear. I'll have to ask around still and do some comparing.

[Runner]

if the 2.76 is open and your not going to put a suregrip in it anytime soon then id go junk yard shopping and see if you could score a open 3.91 out of an old truck or van for cheap.

[Nacho-RT74]

what axle and case do you have on car ?

[terrible one]

I'll call some local yards, etc. There just isn't much by means of scrap yards around here, and most of them deal with a bit newer stuff. What year range will I find 8.75's in with the vans and such?

Nacho,

Not sure on the case, have an 8.75. I'll see what case it is tomorrow.

[Nacho-RT74]

just in case I have NOS Rings and Pinions 3:91 and 3:55 to 741 case and NOS 3:55 to 489 that we could negociate