Axle Regearing & Exhaust

[JTinNM]

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for a recommendation for a professional in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area who can overhaul and regear (4.88) the diffs on my 80-series Land Cruiser. The axles were rebuilt last year so shouldn't need any attention. I was considering purchasing the ring and pinion gears from Slee but I'm open to suggestions.

Additionally, my original exhaust system is full of pin holes, held up with unoriginal mounts and has been a high maintenance PIA for the past year. Any suggestions regarding a new exhaust system and good installer. It would be nice to get a performance boost for less than or equal to the cost of a Toyota exhaust.

Thanks always,

Jonathan

 

[pappy]

Get the gears and install kit from West Coast Differential. Take the diff and parts to U-Joints in ABQ.

For exhaust work go to Jim's on Central.

 

[JTinNM]

Thanks Pappy, I just ordered the gears and install kit from West Coast Differentials, excellent service, I appreciate the referral. U-Joints on Edith is out of business and Truck Pro, who took them over, does not rebuild diffs. Any other recommendations within 4-hour drive of us?

 

[pappy]

Thanks Pappy, I just ordered the gears and install kit from West Coast Differentials, excellent service, I appreciate the referral. U-Joints on Edith is out of business and Truck Pro, who took them over, does not rebuild diffs. Any other recommendations within 4-hour drive of us?

Did you talk to Mark at West Coast Diffs? He seems to be the Toyota guy over there. Also, a lot of places are selling Yukon gears. The last set I bought from WCD were Sierra which I heard was a better product.

Interesting on Truck-Pro. I talked to them about that rumor the last time I took them a driveshaft and they said they still did diffs.

 

[JTinNM]

Did you talk to Mark at West Coast Diffs? He seems to be the Toyota guy over there. Also, a lots of places are selling Yukon gears. The last set I bought from WCD were Sierra which I heard was a better product.

Interesting on Truck-Pro. I talked to them about that rumor the last time I took them a driveshaft and they said they still did diffs.

I don't know who I spoke with at WCD, but he knew exactly what I was looking for and had everything in stock.

Regarding the diff rebuilds, I read good reviews about New Mexico Gear and Clutch in ABQ. I spoke to the owner's wife and I'm waiting for a call back from the owner, Jesus. The wife said they've primarily done diff repairs on commercial trucks in the past but their business has recently been doing a lot diffs on 4X4s. She wanted to know who referred me because they can't figure where the 4x4 referrals are coming from.

 

[HighDesert Dawg]

Thanks Pappy, I just ordered the gears and install kit from West Coast Differentials, excellent service, I appreciate the referral. U-Joints on Edith is out of business and Truck Pro, who took them over, does not rebuild diffs. Any other recommendations within 4-hour drive of us?

Might check with Cruisers and Company in Denver (5 hour drive vs. 4). They are doing a bunch of work for me including turbo + install, motor mounts, custom AFR and Boost gauges, custom SS exhaust and other items. I was going to have them also do my re-gearing to 4.88s but decided to push that off for a bit.

 

[JTinNM]

Might check with Cruisers and Company in Denver (5 hour drive vs. 4). They are doing a bunch of work for me including turbo + install, motor mounts, custom AFR and Boost gauges, custom SS exhaust and other items. I was going to have them also do my re-gearing to 4.88s but decided to push that off for a bit.

Desert Dawg, Is that work being done on an 80-series, it sounds like you are going to have a sweet setup. How long is it going to take to complete?

 

[pappy]

@alia176 , what is up with that fella in AZ that was doing diffs?

 

[alia176]

@alia176 , what is up with that fella in AZ that was doing diffs?

sadly, Zuk is no longer accepting mail in diffs for rebuilds. If you can make a road trip to Prescott, AZ and hand deliver them in person, he is your Huckleberry (name that movie). If at all possible, I'd try to pull this off because he has to be the MOST anal retentive/OCD differential guy I know.

Toyota Gear Install Eaton

ZUK shares many close-up good pics of Toyota gear installs

www.gearinstalls.com

 

[pappy]

sadly, Zuk is no longer accepting mail in diffs for rebuilds. If you can make a road trip to Prescott, AZ and hand deliver them in person, he is your Huckleberry (name that movie). If at all possible, I'd try to pull this off because he has to be the MOST anal retentive/OCD differential guy I know.

Toyota Gear Install Eaton

ZUK shares many close-up good pics of Toyota gear installs

www.gearinstalls.com

That's what I thought. I will need to swap my 80-series hi-pinion in the 4R for a low pinion. But it needs an ARB and gears.

 

[HighDesert Dawg]

Desert Dawg, Is that work being done on an 80-series, it sounds like you are going to have a sweet setup. How long is it going to take to complete?

Yes, I have 1995 80 Series. I am dropping the rig off in 2 weeks and leaving it at their shop for another 2 weeks. I am hoping it is enough time to get everything done!

 

[Dumpolina]

I don't know who I spoke with at WCD, but he knew exactly what I was looking for and had everything in stock.

Regarding the diff rebuilds, I read good reviews about New Mexico Gear and Clutch in ABQ. I spoke to the owner's wife and I'm waiting for a call back from the owner, Jesus. The wife said they've primarily done diff repairs on commercial trucks in the past but their business has recently been doing a lot diffs on 4X4s. She wanted to know who referred me because they can't figure where the 4x4 referrals are coming from.

This may be coming from NM 4Wheelers? Round about, @krazykat69 referred me to a chevy shop Advantage Automotive who referred me to NM Gear & Clutch for possible front diff issue in my tow pig suburban (that ended up being a non-issue). My tow company friend confirmed NM Gear & Clutch is his go to for the stupid things his guys do to tow truck running gear. Sooooo I have not used them yet but been referred also by folks I trust.

 

[pappy]

@alia176 , would you like to update this list, or shall I do it?

One Stop Shop - Local Resource for your Cruiser Service

I figure it's time we have a thread on the various local resources the club members have used and recommend. Anything goes - alternator repair, paint shop, exhaust, etc. Please post up your positive experiences with any of the local vendors. Alternator and Starter Rebuild Start Shop of NM...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[JTinNM]

This may be coming from NM 4Wheelers? Round about, @krazykat69 referred me to a chevy shop Advantage Automotive who referred me to NM Gear & Clutch for possible front diff issue in my tow pig suburban (that ended up being a non-issue). My tow company friend confirmed NM Gear & Clutch is his go to for the stupid things his guys do to tow truck running gear. Sooooo I have not used them yet but been referred also by folks I trust.

Thanks Dumpolina, that's good to know. I spoke with owner Jesus last week. He can do diffs right away if you bring them in, if they are still in the truck and the customer wants him to disassemble the axles, it is about 6-weeks to get an appointment. I was given an estimate of about $500 per diff if I remove them from the axle and $1,000 for the rear and $1250 for the front if he has to remove them, but he would also rebuild the axles at the same time. Prices did not include parts. He's willing to use customer supplied parts.

 

[alia176]

Rebuilding the front axles is so much fun that it should be reserved for the 80 owner. I don't think anyone else will do as good of a job. Shortcuts are usually taken on this project by someone who is not vested in the vehicle.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[JTinNM]

Rebuilding the front axles is so much fun that it should be reserved for the 80 owner. I don't think anyone else will do as good of a job. Shortcuts are usually taken on this project by someone who is not vested in the vehicle.

Just my .02 cents.

I agree alia, it's a right of passage for 80-series owners that should not be missed.

 

[marcfj60]

I agree alia, it's a right of passage for 80-series owners that should not be missed.

I rebuilt/resealed my 60-series. It was a big, messy job. Does that count?

 

[alia176]

I rebuilt/resealed my 60-series. It was a big, messy job. Does that count?

You're IN the club

 

[pappy]

I rebuilt/resealed my 60-series. It was a big, messy job. Does that count?

Ya, those 80 folks ain't special.

 

[Dumpolina]

Thanks Dumpolina, that's good to know. I spoke with owner Jesus last week. He can do diffs right away if you bring them in, if they are still in the truck and the customer wants him to disassemble the axles, it is about 6-weeks to get an appointment. I was given an estimate of about $500 per diff if I remove them from the axle and $1,000 for the rear and $1250 for the front if he has to remove them, but he would also rebuild the axles at the same time. Prices did not include parts. He's willing to use customer supplied parts.

Did this go anywhere? I may have a regear on the horizon, really prefer to do this local