So the time has come for me to upgrade my 3.73's to 4.56's. I called a few shops and came up with the following prices for front and rear gears, master install kits, fluids, and tax & labor...this is out the door pricing:

Yukon gears: $2383.00
Sierra gears: $2256.00
Precision gears: $2586.00
One shop will charge a flat rate of $700.00 but I supply all parts and fluids. This place seemed kinda sketchy so I'm passing on these guys.

Again keep in mind that these are from different shops.

This is a LOT more than I was expecting but I am willing to pay it if done correctly. They are all drivetrain shops and not specialty or off road type shops. The first three places have done plenty of lifted trucks and have good reputations. But still...not expecting to pay upwards of $2grand.

Any recommendations especially in the SF Bay Area?
Thanks guys.

 

You're right, above $2,000 is on the high side. I paid right at $1,600 total for my motive 4.56s front and rear installed. I had it done at a local offroad shop. You should be able to find some better prices than that. I called several places and the highest quote I got was $2,100

 

About $1700 here.......$2k is tops.....anything over that is the shop doing wishful quoting.....

 

Not too helpful for you as I am in Anchorage. BUT, Today I ordered my Yukon gears (4.56) and master install kits shipped to my door for just over $900. All the shops here quoted 15 hours labor, and all of them charge $95/hour. So I went with the more reputable shop. My total is going to be right aroung $2500.

I feel you though. If I was comfortable doing it myself I would, however, with the cost of the parts and the knowledge needed, I have decided that having a shop that knows what they are doing is worth the money. Even if I think it is a VERY steep price. But hey, it is better than being stuck on the ALCAN highway with a blown diff in -40 degree weather!

 

That's the price you pay for living where you do.

 

I just got my truck back today and had all the following done for $2750 parts and labor. I used Sierra Gears with a local well know 4x4 shop with lots of good history and experience.

4.56 gears with all new bearings, seals and such
EBC Slotted Rotors and EBC Green pads
Rancho 9000 Loaded Quick Lift front and 9000 rear shocks

It drives like a dream and can't believe how much improvement the gears make (up from 3.55), not to mention the ride or especially brakes that don't shimmy.

I'm putting 18" Black Monsters with Toyo M/T 285x75x18's tomorrow. I own a custom tune from VMP to change up the diff and tires. Can't wait. Feels like Christmas early!

 

What shops did you get prices from and where in the east bay are you located? I had mine done by Barry @ http://rearendshop.com/ in Livermore and he did a good job. I have zero noise even though he said I would likely have gear whine with the brand I used (USAStandard) and I have ~6,000 miles on the 4.56's now. They also have a shop in Santa Rosa, but Livermore is a lot closer for me. My buddy James (MercedesTech) is the one who recommended them. PM me if you have any questions or would like more detailed info..



This was at the 500 mile fluid change:

 

Thanks Randy,
PM sent.

 

All those prices seem pretty close. I'd go with the Yukon gears.

 

Hey man,

Just did mine for $1500 total. I got my parts shipped from Wayne at diffsonly.com for an excellent price (Yukon 4.56 front & rear with master overhaul kits). PM me for the price. I took my truck to West Coast Differentials in Sacramento, all they do is ring/pinion and differential work and are very reputable (they usually do 1-2 4x4 vehicles a day and had my truck done a little over 4 hours after I dropped it off). The other shop I was recommended was Santa Clara Truck Wreckers in the South Bay.

Truck is a million times better with the gears, I should have done it a long time ago.

 

Thanks, PM sent.
I've been thinking about gears for a long time but a few weeks ago, the wife and I went to Reno. Climbing those mountains really made it clear how much I wanted to re-gear, so here we are.
Thanks man!

 

I feel ya. I do Tahoe trips and trips to the Cascades all the time, and going uphill sucked with the 3.73s. With the 4.56 it chugs up the mountain no problem.

 

Dang...... all this talk about gears is motivating me to get mine done. I've called around and the best price I've found locally is $1600 for 4.56 gears front/rear, master install kits and installation.

 

That's a pretty good price nowadays if they include a solid warranty on their work.

 

Not by choice though. Air Force put me here...