Who would you use for a Gear Install? Boise Area - Locked 1997. (1 Viewer)

[martinakl]

In the near future, I'm looking at getting gears installed in my 80 Series. 1997 w/ factory lockers. I'm moving up to 35" tires in two weeks. I already regret not going with 37s but the tires are bought and I just picked up my newly powder coated rims this morning (Factory LX450's). Financial damage complete.

I usually have LTS Motors do all my "ain't going to touch that" maintenance. I'd likely use them for gears too. No concerns using them at all. I'm just checking to see if there someone else that might be a good option? More of a drive-line specialist with a good Toyota background?

I'm 100% confidant I'll be paying someone to do it for me. Due to time, space, tools, and did I say time. I don't want to manage/handle any of the project myself. Even removing/shipping the 3rds.

Looking at buying this package:
Gear Package

 

[MOTOV8R]

I went to Jim's driveline. I went to 4.10 from 4.88 (I have an h41 and Orion and wanted better hwy gearing). The work quality was fine but a bit on the expensive side. The biggest problem I had was the 4.88s had less then 30k miles on them and I was going to sell them, but the shop threw them away!

 

[martinakl]

I went to Jim's driveline. I went to 4.10 from 4.88 (I have an h41 and Orion and wanted better hwy gearing). The work quality was fine but a bit on the expensive side. The biggest problem I had was the 4.88s had less then 30k miles on them and I was going to sell them, but the shop threw them away!

I did come across Jim's Drive Line in my searches. Very positive reviews overall. The negative reviews were mostly about their pricing. Someone on Google reviews posted they were charged a $200/Hour labor rate.

 

[Cruzilla]

I would only send my gears to Zuk!
Do a search on him on mud, he's not local but he is the best!

 

[martinakl]

I would only send my gears to Zuk!
Do a search on him on mud, he's not local but he is the best!

That name has popped up multiple times in my searches. I'm just not sure I'm ready to tackle removal and shipping.

 

[Cruzilla]

When your dealing with something as critical as preload and backlash, it would be beneficial to have the very best!
The Last thing I want to have fail in the field is a differential!

 

[martinakl]

When your dealing with something as critical as preload and backlash, it would be beneficial to have the very best!
The Last thing I want to have fail in the field is a differential!

Thank you. That was the push I needed to rethink doing it myself. I do have a 3rd vehicle, so being down for a while isn't too big of a deal.

I'll just have to read the threads a few more times to wrap my head around the work involved.

 

[Cruzilla]

Hes a great guy, but very busy.. I almost sent off my gears to him but decided to do the 10% underdrive high range gears in my transfer case instead.
10% UD gears corrects running 34 (315 metric) inch tires back to stock gearing. In fact I am finishing up that gear install tonight!
T-Case gears I can do my self... Ring and Pinion... not so much!

 

[MOTOV8R]

I setup my front arb and ring and pinion following the factory manual. Didn't have any issues. I decided to do it after several people said the FSM is one of the best sources for gear setup instructions available. Took a lot of iterations but finally got a really nice pattern. I don't think it's harder than tcase setup.

 

[martinakl]

Hes a great guy, but very busy.. I almost sent off my gears to him but decided to do the 10% underdrive high range gears in my transfer case instead.
10% UD gears corrects running 34 (315 metric) inch tires back to stock gearing. In fact I am finishing up that gear install tonight!
T-Case gears I can do my self... Ring and Pinion... not so much!

I’ll have to look into that. I haven’t come across that. Might save me a bunch of money. This whole “while you’re in there” list of axle/knuckle rebuilds add-ons gets out of control.

 

[Riversurfer]

RPM&O May be up his alley?