No, if it was a 6pack, it would be more on the order of a day

Seriously though, an hours is a pretty accurate amount of time. Jack it up, drain the fluid, partially disassemble some of the drum brakes, unbolt both retaining plates from the axel flanges (very awkward position for two of the 4 nuts on each side), pull the axels with a slide hammer, drop the exhaust, remove the drive shaft, plug the tranny, unbolt the 3rd member, pull that 95'lb monstrosity out, apply gasket and RTV, insert different 3rd member, torque down and reverse of everything else and refill.

Soooo, yeah, pretty much an hour, AT LEAST....but a more realistic figure too.

 

Thanks. Appreciate the advice & the effort. I'll go talk to him first - if he truly knows his chit, it may be worth a little extra to support the youngin' LOL!

bubba

 

Thanks for the replies peeps.

As for the gears, I know it's not the rock-bottom price I could probably hunt down if I did some searching around, but I was under the impression that it wasn't in the top-end of the scale either but rather close to the mid range. You all have confirmed that and thanks.

The labor seems a little on the north side but they're allowing for some minor issues that may/may not arrise. That seems quite fair to me. I'm sure they'll adjust the price if they find the proccess went a lot smoother than what the invoice predicts. Of course, there's a flip side to that coin too.

As for the Diablo, I know I can find the tuner cheaper online for a few bucks cheaper but I'd rather purchase it from the place installing and tuning the product/truck.... therefore, any problems and I don't have to screw around with mailing it back and whatnot.

I've never used the Diablo in the past, but a quick "search" of these boards tells me the [very] few who have it are please-to-very-pleased with it. I've also read good reviews online and to top it off, the shop where the quote came from stands behind it as they've installed countless times in the past/present with next to no problems and impressive results.

I can negotiate the final price with them [hopefully], seeing as I'm driving 3+ hours to perform the job, and knock off a few dollars from the quote you see here and there as they seem like a very reasonable bunch of guys.

A question to the few who have suggested a differential cover - why do I need that?

 

Yes it is the same shop.

As for torturekilla, seriously, and with due respect, that guy has next to no credibility with me of late [he's been called out by myself and others here of late as he can't seem to put his finger on what he's paying.... though the shop is sure!] so I'll take what he claims with a fine grain of salt.... on a Chicago windly Fall day.

I've asked him to clarrify his claims, but he's conveniently dodged the question.

Pffttt...

 

Hi Grubrunner - I wanna apologize for the hijack - how very rude of me lol!

The cover - well, ya don't really need it, but when you see one, yer gonna want it!

Increased rigidity, better cooling, more fluid volume and a nice drain plug & temp sensor port. BOOTIFUL product - Mag-Hytec Agree with the others - get 'em to throw it in to seal the deal!

Tuner - understood - if they are very proficient, you should be good to go.

G'luck!

bubba

 

Cool, thanks.

I like the sounds of that Mag-Hytec!

Any idea on price? Anyone have a pic of what it looks like?

 

I think they're a couple of bills & change. Here's thier website: http://www.mag-hytec.com/

Some members have pix as well ...

bubba

 

I got charged 11 hours for front and rear, but at only 45 an hour

 

I'm not able to say 100% but 10 hours for a customer custom job seems pretty close to book time... which is what everyone here should be basing this on... not "I can do it in" statements.

 

Actual Labor times are 6.9 front and 5.9 rear.

Source: Mitchel OnDemand

 

Go get it done, don't listen to the "blah blah I got mine done cheaper blah blah"

 

Yeah, I hear ya' Thump.

It seems like whenever anyone here wants to get some work done on their truck, several chime in and say how they are/have had it done for hundreds less.

However, when asked to back their claim with an invoice or the like, all of a sudden they're MIA.



Go figure...

 

The problem with threads like this concerning gears is that prices vary SO much across the country. Some states are high, some are cheap, and some are in the middle. I wouldn't be upset to pay the price you're paying, just try to get that Mag-Hytec differential cover thrown in the deal.

Here is a picture of it on my truck!

'

A few nice things about the Mag-Hytec is that it's got a drain plug in the bottom which means you don't need to take off the billion hex head bolts and re-seal the cover, it makes changing the differential fluid into a 10 minute job. It's got a magnet on the drain plug and on the dipstick to pick up metal, which you're going to have during break in and its a good idea to clean it off with a rag. Not to mention the dipstick. I changed mine after 500 miles with Royal Purple 75w140, no friction modifier because it comes with the Royal Purple, 5 quarts. Also when you get them done they say its a good idea to drive for 30 minutes and stop and let it cool down.

 

Just for the record -

torturekilla and I have settled our differences via PM.

He was gentleman enough to PM me and set the record straight re: the questions/concerns raised in this thread and others of recent.... and I certainly appreciate that and hold him in high regards because of it.

I'll leave it at that and ask him to elaborate further if he chooses to. All is sweet znd swept under the carpet from my end.



Kudos.

 

True dat, Thump.

Will do my best on the Mag-Hytec..... hell, I'm willing to pay for it if need be.

It sounds and looks like a winner!