Gear Swap

[durango4819]

plan on doing 4.56's in the near future with some of my tax return money and i was wondering what you have too do to swap gears in the front on the IFS? I know the rear is the ring and pinion swap but i have no idea about the front. anyone have experience with doing gears on a Ram 4x4?

 

[Musclemckeester]

Not sure on the answer to your question, but 4.56s are my next planned mod probably sometime in the spring.

 

[durango4819]

they were my favorite mod on my R/T and i cant wait too feel the jump from the 3.55's up. Im done with cosmetics on my truck so now im going for just a bit more performance. gears and a tuner will probably be it since this is my daily.

 

[Musclemckeester]

I can't wait. Not that I want to, but knowing I'll be able to roast these tires sure puts a smile on my face. Not to mention better mileage too...

 

[quietpeen]

i just wish gears weren't so expensive on a 4x4....lol

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Did you do the gears on your old truck?

 

[09SMOKINHEMI]

how do you find out what gears you have?

 

[09SMOKINHEMI]

got it... thanks

 

[rambob]

yes, R&P

Original Factory gear for Chrysler 8" front IFS in a 3.92 ratio. - CHY8.0-390

your best bet is to get some quotes from a few local shops. most shops here want to provide the parts as well. a few will only do it with their parts. if you do plan to get the parts, you will need install kits as well.

expect a quote around $2k for parts and labor.

if you are offroad alot, I would get a lunchbox locker like aussie or similar, for the front axle only. it will provide unbelievable amount of traction offroad. and it is only engaged when in 4wd, so street manners are great since you use 2wd normally.

 

[zuiquan1]

Ive had the gears and install kits/oil since may lol....still havent gotten a chance to install them

 

[durango4819]

Did you do the gears on your old truck?

yep did the ring and pinion, locker, and all the new bearings with the help of a friend.

yes, R&P

Original Factory gear for Chrysler 8" front IFS in a 3.92 ratio. - CHY8.0-390

your best bet is to get some quotes from a few local shops. most shops here want to provide the parts as well. a few will only do it with their parts. if you do plan to get the parts, you will need install kits as well.

expect a quote around $2k for parts and labor.

if you are offroad alot, I would get a lunchbox locker like aussie or similar, for the front axle only. it will provide unbelievable amount of traction offroad. and it is only engaged when in 4wd, so street manners are great since you use 2wd normally.

i wanted to attempt this myself i just have no idea where to start on the fronts since ive never done one or seen one done. i want to cut the labor cost out

 

[rambob]

I hear ya. I want to learn as well. From what I hear, its worth it to pay someone. Plus there see so few shops that do it and that's usually all they do.

 

[durango4819]

I hear ya. I want to learn as well. From what I hear, its worth it to pay someone. Plus there see so few shops that do it and that's usually all they do.

def no shop around here that i would trust too do it. my friend had rear gears and locker done on his silverado at the closest place to us and they ****** the whole rear up. the most difficult thing is making sure everythings lined up properly for the backspacing so your gears dont whine.

 

[bigtigga84]

Were did your friend get his done?

 

[jbmobbs]

its easy ..... i did my own.....the same princables apply exept on the front you unbolt the hub assembly and slide the shaft out of each side.......then pull the chunk and pinion the same as you would the rear and swap ring and pinion gears and bolt it all back up and set your shimms where thiers no slack and tighten it all down then your done

 

[durango4819]

Were did your friend get his done?

somewhere in Seaford ill get the name for you tomorrow

its easy ..... i did my own.....the same princables apply exept on the front you unbolt the hub assembly and slide the shaft out of each side.......then pull the chunk and pinion the same as you would the rear and swap ring and pinion gears and bolt it all back up and set your shimms where thiers no slack and tighten it all down then your done

ill have to climb under there tomorrow. doesnt sound too bad, do you think you could take a pic for me where the pinion was in the front?

 

[BlkPearlSport11']

Glad my ram has 3.92's!

 

[WhiteExpress]

and bolt it all back up and set your shimms where thiers no slack and tighten it all down then your done

Properly setting up gears is more involved in that. You mention nothing of checking pattern, which is very important for long lasting quiet operation.

I ordered my F/R gears, install kit etc from Randy's R&P. Attempted the rear install myself. After setting the gears about... 4 times, we thought we had it dialed. Ended up with a burr on the pinion shaft, which allowed the pinion pre-load to appear right, but factually be wrong. Ended up eating up the pinion bearings.

I had had enough, took it to my local shop, they reset the rear, and did the front in 2 days. Ran me $600+ tax. Totally worth it. Never again will I screw with gears.

(FYI, I've rebuild a Jeep 4.0, and assisted with a TH350 rebuild. I'm not scared to do much, but setting gears right is a *****)

 

[durango4819]

i did my R/T's rear that had a 9.25 and it was my first rear and only ive ever done. i did all the work just had some extra hands and i never had rear whine for over a year. ive just never attempted the front before

 

[WhiteExpress]

i did my R/T's rear that had a 9.25 and it was my first rear and only ive ever done. i did all the work just had some extra hands and i never had rear whine for over a year. ive just never attempted the front before

Front's will be more difficult because they don't have the side adjusters. You have to use shims for your left right adjustment too.