Gear change book labor rate

We are looking at a 5th wheel that is 10800 dry and 13995 gross. My 2500 6.4 with 3.73 is ratio for 12600 gross. If I go to 4.10 gross goes to 15600.
I was wondering if anyone knew what book time was on a gear change for the front and rear axles.

I have inquired on this with two different dealers and both have quoted me book rate of 6.5 hours per axle @ shop rates plus parts. So 13 hours total.

One independent shop that does a lot gear swaps says 5 hours per axle (10 total).

Regardless of hours, I would be more worried about who could do the job right the first time. In the case of the dealership, I would make sure to find out who is the resident "axle guy" tech and make sure he is the one that does it, even if it means a bigger wait and not farmed to a lesser experience tech.

Thanks for the info. My dealer has a capeable tech. I was just wondering what the cost may be. I wanted an estimated cost to see if I would go with the gear change or start shopping for a new rig. Hopefully they come out with some good incentives in the next few months

Gotta be this guy... I know just as much as you do any anyone else that the only difference is the gears but a hear change doesn't change your towing capacity from a legal stand point. If your going to tow alot you may want to look into a new rig. If it's just pulling it to the local lake or something I would do it but it's still not legal.

yikes that's a 1500.00-2000.00 dollar job around my parts, good luck no matter which way you go.

14hemiexpress said:

Gotta be this guy... I know just as much as you do any anyone else that the only difference is the gears but a hear change doesn't change your towing capacity from a legal stand point. If your going to tow alot you may want to look into a new rig. If it's just pulling it to the local lake or something I would do it but it's still not legal.

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To add to this, you'll also want to check out what the payload on your truck is. At roughly 14,000 lbs loaded your pin weight is going to be 2100-2800 lbs. May be okay but something worth looking into for sure.

I had my gears swapped a couple years ago and it was 12 hrs of labor to do front and rear. Parts were about $1100 on top of that plus oil, tax, etc. Cost me just shy of $3000 CAD all said and done. Typically it runs around $2500 USD.

brandonjansen said:

To add to this, you'll also want to check out what the payload on your truck is. At roughly 14,000 lbs loaded your pin weight is going to be 2100-2800 lbs. May be okay but something worth looking into for sure.

I had my gears swapped a couple years ago and it was 12 hrs of labor to do front and rear. Parts were about $1100 on top of that plus oil, tax, etc. Cost me just shy of $3000 CAD all said and done. Typically it runs around $2500 USD.

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My payload is 3280, I should be good there. Unloaded pin is 2090. I'm going to keep an eye on the incentives till spring.

Payload creeps up there faster than you think. I'm right at my max on a 9000# dry 5th wheel.

Slider hitch (heavy SOB) = 275#
Added pin weight with 5th loaded = 250#
Original pin weight = 1900#
People in the truck over the driver weight already accounted for = 500#
Other gear in the truck = 150#

I did get a set of Firestone bags and it helps a lot. Also, there is the whole argument that a 2500 truck is just a de-rated 3500 to stay under the 10,000# weight class. So, with the bags you'd essentially have a 3500 with more payload.