I have heard that changing gears in a 4x4 is a very hard thing to do. I am a very do it your self person and would hate to take my truck in and have someone do something I am capable of, let alone the money to do it. Let me know your experiences. THX

 

Changing gear ratios would require specialized tools & experience. I have seen countless nightmares from do it yourselfers. Please, implore the aid of a professional. If not, it could cost you alot of $$$.

If I could rate the percentage of "do it yourselfers" jobs that I seen fail. I would guess 90%.

 

im pretty sure if you change the rear you have to change the front also which is quite abit of work time and money i think its more than you would want to take on by yourself

 

I appreciate your honesty. Any idea how much $ I am looking at? That is for both the front and rear.

 

well your gonna have the cost of your gears which varies depending on brand and what you want then i say a couple hundred in bearings and seals cuz youll wanna go ahead and replace all that too and id say your lookin at 6+ hrs of work just on the front

 

I like to do things myself to or at least learn how-to. I do not always do them myself if I can't solve it, do not have the time, or there's a better way of doing it. Take for example the cooling system I could do it at home for 20-30 bucks and 2 hours or spend 40 and 30 minutes to have it powerflushed.
Gears are not one thing I wish to attempt. You need dial indiactors, case spreaders, presses, torque wrench capable of 250+ ft lbs. The money whou would spend to do it right would cost more than having it done I'm sure. It's a big expense and tough that wou can't do it yourself. The back one you may do yourself as it's easier but I would say plan on 1-2 days on your back.
On the other hand nothing short of dropping a supercharger in will give you the same amount of returns in performance and feel.
I can let you know more cause I'm researching the same options right now.

 

I appreciate the insight on this. I will have some shops give me quotes on putting in the gears. I'll bet its expensive

 

it aint gonna be cheap

 

Aside from parts and everything, the labor at shops around my house ranges from $250 -300 per axle.

 

I got a recent quote on installation of front and rear ring & pinions.

Book said 5 hours for rear and 7 hours for front. That brought my labor charges to $660 @ 55/hr. The ring and pinion sets including master overhaul kits came to a little more than $500 from Randy's Ring & Pinion, Yukon gears.

That put the total cost at about $1160. Haven't done it yet, still saving money.

P.S. I was one of the poor souls who tried to do this back when I was about 17 helping one of my buddies and that was the biggest mistake we ever made. It just requires so many special tools.