3.73 gear setup
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 158
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From: port huron mi us
3.73 gear setup
im going to be changig my gears soon. i have the 8.8 rear end. has any body have a detailed info on how to do this so all ihave to do is get the right shims and just install them. i seen that another guy on here did this when he put 3.55,s in his. he did a great describing all the parts he needed.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 159
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From: Bolton Ontario Canada
Ringmaster;
I posted the detailed description of the 3.55 gear installation. My first question to you is "have you done a gear change before by yourself or with help?" If not, seek out a mechanic friend to help you through the process. There is not a standard size of shim that is installed to position the pinion and carrier properly. While the 8.8" rear end is shimmed to fit a gauge at the factory, that only means that Ford manufactured gears will fit properly with the existing size of shims. Aftermarket gears will not necessarily fit properly using the stock shims and you will need to buy, borrow or make a gauge to set pinion depth properly. Also, the F150 8.8" carrier is not shimmed side to side but uses one thick spacer per side. therefore it cannot be adjusted from its factory position unless you purchase a full gear installation shim set. To clarify what I have said here read the gear installation information available from corral.net. An installation of non-Ford gears is described and it will give you a good idea of what to expect. If it sounds scary, have a shop install the gear. Good luck, GlennMc.
I posted the detailed description of the 3.55 gear installation. My first question to you is "have you done a gear change before by yourself or with help?" If not, seek out a mechanic friend to help you through the process. There is not a standard size of shim that is installed to position the pinion and carrier properly. While the 8.8" rear end is shimmed to fit a gauge at the factory, that only means that Ford manufactured gears will fit properly with the existing size of shims. Aftermarket gears will not necessarily fit properly using the stock shims and you will need to buy, borrow or make a gauge to set pinion depth properly. Also, the F150 8.8" carrier is not shimmed side to side but uses one thick spacer per side. therefore it cannot be adjusted from its factory position unless you purchase a full gear installation shim set. To clarify what I have said here read the gear installation information available from corral.net. An installation of non-Ford gears is described and it will give you a good idea of what to expect. If it sounds scary, have a shop install the gear. Good luck, GlennMc.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 364
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From: Houston, Tx.
ringmaster,
GleenMc is right. I just finshed swapping my gears from 3.55 to 4.10 and it is a big job, and I had to it to the front and rear on my 4x4. The wrench work is not so bad, it is the precision to which the gears need to be installed that is the tough part. That is where the micrometer, dial gauge, and shims come in. When you buy the gears, most places carry mini kits, which contain an assortment of shims of various thicknesses you will need. Again, it is a big job, it took me a solid weekend plus a couple or evenings after work for each end. But the end result was worth it!! Just study up what has to be done and prepare for it.
GDG
GleenMc is right. I just finshed swapping my gears from 3.55 to 4.10 and it is a big job, and I had to it to the front and rear on my 4x4. The wrench work is not so bad, it is the precision to which the gears need to be installed that is the tough part. That is where the micrometer, dial gauge, and shims come in. When you buy the gears, most places carry mini kits, which contain an assortment of shims of various thicknesses you will need. Again, it is a big job, it took me a solid weekend plus a couple or evenings after work for each end. But the end result was worth it!! Just study up what has to be done and prepare for it.
GDG