deppends how mechanical you are and if you have use of a press to put the bearings on the carrier and the pinion arm. Will need tools to measure backlash etc. Isn't a impossible job just most likely if you use your old shims will work out good measureing or get you close in the ball park. If your going to do that might as well through in the lockers now do all this once instead of twice just a thought.

 

For 33's, you willl need only a minimum of 2.5" of lift. You may want to open the wheel wells a bit, but no need to get new driveshafts, a dropped pitman arm, or even a x-fer case lowering kit. You can keep your stock shackles also.

Such a mild lift really is easy to install and not too expensive. The re-gearing is where it gets tricky.

 

If you don't know how to set up a set of gears, don't do it. The contact area(picture) must be properly set or failure can result. While using the origional shim pack is a good place to start, each set is different and must be checked and adjusted. The best way to save money is on the easy labor tasks.
1 Buy the gears yourself(wholesale vs retail)
2 Remove the axle housing,axles,backing plates diff lid,and oil. Then all you need to pay for is the actual set up.Shouldn't be more than 3 hours with the housing on the bench.
Remember,depending on the gear ratio, you may need to buy a different carrier. Make sure the ratio you choose reflects the way you plan to use your Jeep.

 

quote:

Originally posted by jeepdaddy2000:
If you don't know how to set up a set of gears, don't do it. The contact area(picture) must be properly set or failure can result. While using the origional shim pack is a good place to start, each set is different and must be checked and adjusted. The best way to save money is on the easy labor tasks.
1 Buy the gears yourself(wholesale vs retail)
2 Remove the axle housing,axles,backing plates diff lid,and oil. Then all you need to pay for is the actual set up.Shouldn't be more than 3 hours with the housing on the bench.
Remember,depending on the gear ratio, you may need to buy a different carrier. Make sure the ratio you choose reflects the way you plan to use your Jeep.

JEEPDADDY ,
You couldn't get much better advice than that ! Truly the cheapest way to go . If you really want to do it yourself look into a service manual , or maybe a jeep tech site to see if you can handle this job . Setting up a gear set is not extremely difficult ( with experiance and about $400.00 worth of tools )The key to doing it is getting it right the first time , if not you'll be doing it again . So now you see where the Warranty comes into factor . Call around to different shops and get quotes on prices first .
Good luck to you !
JIM

 

Though by no means an expert, I've sucessfully setup 5 ring and pinion sets that are running nice and quietly. I would like to offer one bit of advice which will save time and frustration if you're going to do it yourself and money if you'll be paying some one to do it. Don't scrimp on parts. The last two ring and pinions that I set up were imported gears and they would not pattern consistently and I feel unnecessary time was spent trying to optimize the contact pattern. I've set up Dana gears and they pattern beautifully and consistently and quality is never a question. I understand Precision gears are top quality also.

 

Thanks guys. I think I'll do what Jeepdaddy2000 said and take them apart as far as I can and take them to a shop to have them set up.

Do you all agree that 2 1/2" lift is enough for 33" tires?

 

That lift will be fine. I have a four-inch lift with 35’s. As for the ring and pinion your best bet is to let someone who is knowledgeable set the gears. There is a shortcut I have used for setting pinion depth. I get a machinist to cut a piece of 1/8 inch round stock to the exact spec. But for the backlash I paid something like $200+ for the gauge. (It was many years ago and I’m sure the Snap-On guy inflated the price a bit) Anyway you could buy the parts your self (Ring, pinion, bearings, shim packs and crush sleeve) and let a shop install it all.

 

I have 33" tires with stock gearing, and considering buying 4.8 pinion, ring but I got confused, do we apply pinion and ring to the rear or the front axle?

Rear I guess as its mosty rwd.

 

WOW!!!
This thread is eight years old!!
LordSul, 4.88's are going to be a bit slow with 33's unless you plan on running an overdrive or going larger on your tires. Your going to need to decide whether your building a DD or a trailer Queen. For daily driving, 3.73 or 4.10's are a good choice. You will loose some off the bottom but your drivability will be much better. Your best bet is to decide what RPM's your looking to run at "X" highway speeds and gear for that.

 

Lordsul, they both have to be re-geared to match for 4wd use..FRONT and REAR.