After reading about installs for the last year and hearing feedback from people that have it in their rigs I finally decided to get it done. Threads on mud kinda have me convinced that its as hard as changing brakes. The problem is I have no where to work. Thanks to a falling out with my father which was totally not my fault, I no longer have a garage/tools to work with. I've called a few places to get quotes on getting the work done and honestly might just end up doing that but I feel a bit foolish if I'm being "bent over" by a shop on something as easy as changing brakes. At the same time I feel embarrassed to ask for help especially since a lot of you guys have never met me. But If anyone has done this kinda thing before and would like to help out I thought I'd ask first before I take it to a shop. I hope to make more of a presence this year and attend more trips/runs. I like posts with pictures so i'll put one in here from the Mojave Rd trip.
tldr: I'm a newb that just bought an aussie locker and can't do it himself. I have an Engel fridge that can carry just need space/tools/help to do the job as I'm not 100% confident to do it alone.
Ryan, I put an Aussie in my 40 and loved it. It really was quite an easy install. I can help out if you would like some evening / weekend. I live in Escondido. You would probably just need to bring the install kit, a new diff cover gasket, a small tube of Black RTV (I may still have some, but I can't remember exactly), and some gear oil for re-filling the diff. We could probably knock it out in a few hours or less. Oh, and make sure you can get into your diff fill plug first before coming down (uses a 24 mm socket or wrench). I don't have a way of getting it out (no welder) if we round it off or it is seized on there.
I am assuming you are putting this in the rear diff, correct?
I can offer up an extra pair of hands if need be. I can host but being out in Valley Center it can be a drive and I don't have a paved driveway to work on. If you don't have a 24mm socket I believe a 15/16 6-point socket will work too.
The 20th doesn't work for me as I'm helping someone install a 4" Slee lift that day.
yup yup going putting the aussie into the rear. I just picked up a couple gaskets for the install today. thanks for the heads up on the diff fill plug being able to come off I'll give that a look. I'm in no real hurry to get it done just thought if any local dudes were doing some wrenching on the weekend we could get together and get some work done. Usually have weekends off so im pretty flexible as far as when other people have time to do stuff.
You should also think about replacing the following (sorry, this is off the top of my head so no part numbers and the names may not be completely accurate):
Paper gasket - axle flange to hub (1 each side)
Axle oil seal - end of axle tube (1 each side)
Crush washer for drain and fill plugs - only if you're really anal
3rd member gasket - no other sealant required (1 total)
You can do this with the wheels on the truck parked pretty much anypalce fairly level.
just need space/tools/help to do the job as I'm not 100% confident to do it alone.
