Gear Question???
Gear Question??? Ok, So I am going to buy some 3:73s for my rearend. Need to know from you all, What are good gears without costing me to many $$$$$. Shaun said he would install them for 200.00. which seems pretty fair??? What all do I need. Ring and pinion, Install kit. Is there anything else???
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LaConner WA
Doug I'm a firm believer in the quality of GM gear sets. It seems that they live longer and are quieter in the long run, although they tend to be a little more expensive. I'd be interested in Ellis's take on this ? A ring and pinion and install kit should cover it unless they uncover some other damage while they're in there.
I agree with Bill - GM gears are some of the best for a 10 bolt. US Gears would be my 2nd choice. You'll also want a solid crush sleeve to keep the pinion from moving. And a TA cover if you don't have one yet to keep the carrier from walking around. As for having Shawn do it, he's a smart guy, but I'd spend the extra few $ & take it to NW Dif. Dan knows his ****, period! Wait & see what Ellis says......
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Kent WA
The rest of the guys have it covered as to what parts you need... while they have it open you may want to have new seals installed throughout the unit, just for good measure.
Shawn's a good guy to have install gears... he replaced all the seals in my Moser, pulled out the gears and diff, then re-set everything back to proper spec in an effort to get it to quiet down. It did help some, but it turns out my ring & pinion have a bad wear pattern to them, so there's only so much he could do with the harmonics... but it did get them to be a little quieter, and hell, they held up to a couple of 6k clutch dumps and one 7k clutch dump.
I'll be switching to a new set of 4.30s here shortly, and he'll be the one setting it them up for me.
Shawn's a good guy to have install gears... he replaced all the seals in my Moser, pulled out the gears and diff, then re-set everything back to proper spec in an effort to get it to quiet down. It did help some, but it turns out my ring & pinion have a bad wear pattern to them, so there's only so much he could do with the harmonics... but it did get them to be a little quieter, and hell, they held up to a couple of 6k clutch dumps and one 7k clutch dump.
I'll be switching to a new set of 4.30s here shortly, and he'll be the one setting it them up for me.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,023
Likes: 6
From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
well there is only so much you can do with a 10 bolt Vega rear end like we have 
I prefer GM gears My self dur to quality and strength. I ran a set in my car for two seasons and they held up good even if I did explode the new Eaton. I would add all the goodies mentioned here.
Solid Spacer
T/A cover
GM gears
New bearing kit with Seals
AND if you have a torsen dump it for a Auburn!
...Or face broken parts Torsen is a good RR diff but as many have found out give it up on the street and drag strip. Some have been known to take out the entire housing! This is a $450 or so option but worth the effort
As all know NW Diff is the only gear guys I use. IF you let Dan supply all the parts it will come with a one year warranty
Short of TWO broken Eaton(10 and 12 bolt) I have yet to have a rear end Dan built for me let go! Eight years and running Mind you with a 10 bolt and hard launches bearings will be a yearly event no matter who builds it
Good luck man!
I prefer GM gears My self dur to quality and strength. I ran a set in my car for two seasons and they held up good even if I did explode the new Eaton. I would add all the goodies mentioned here.
Solid Spacer
T/A cover
GM gears
New bearing kit with Seals
AND if you have a torsen dump it for a Auburn!
...Or face broken parts
Torsen is a good RR diff but as many have found out give it up on the street and drag strip. Some have been known to take out the entire housing! This is a $450 or so option but worth the effortAs all know NW Diff is the only gear guys I use. IF you let Dan supply all the parts it will come with a one year warranty
Short of TWO broken Eaton(10 and 12 bolt) I have yet to have a rear end Dan built for me let go! Eight years and running
Mind you with a 10 bolt and hard launches bearings will be a yearly event no matter who builds it Good luck man!
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
Gm does not make a thick gear. US gear is a good gear from what I hear also. I am running Motive gears due to the shock loads I hit it with
For your car I would go with some thing a little softer and less brittle. 7k drops are a little hard on gears I would look to Motive or US gear. They are going to make a little more noise but worth the effort in the end
For your car I would go with some thing a little softer and less brittle. 7k drops are a little hard on gears
I would look to Motive or US gear. They are going to make a little more noise but worth the effort in the end 
10 Second Club
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,491
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From: norfolk va
Richmond Gear Pro Gear.............................................. ..Oh wait you want quiet and for a ten bolt, what was i thinking.
Gm gears work really well, i had 4.10 with my ten bolt and they held up alright, but the posi was the week link, listen to elis, and do the posi swap at the same time, you will thank yourself later down the raod doug.
Gm gears work really well, i had 4.10 with my ten bolt and they held up alright, but the posi was the week link, listen to elis, and do the posi swap at the same time, you will thank yourself later down the raod doug.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,954
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From: Kent WA
I will probably go with the Strange/US Gear thick 4.30s... thanks for the recommendation, Ellis.
And as for the posi, it is the weak link... I have an Eaton HD posi, and it ain't gonna last forever on 7k clutch dumps. When its time, I'll probably just by one of the new Moser 12 bolt Detroit Lockers that just came out...
And as for the posi, it is the weak link... I have an Eaton HD posi, and it ain't gonna last forever on 7k clutch dumps.
When its time, I'll probably just by one of the new Moser 12 bolt Detroit Lockers that just came out... 
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Lincolnton, NC
He's got an auto so I would not do 4.11's even though Mark has them. I have to ask what your goal is? Before going with gears I would consider some wider meats and lowering with beefed up suspension. If you can't hook now you damn sure want with these and will have to get these mods sooner or later. I think you would gain more satisfaction out of that. Now if you had a stick, the gears all the way.
Eric makes a good point. I guess I thought DRs were already in the plan. If not, then buy them first. And some lower control arms & relocation brackets. Some sponsor should have a deal on a pkg of BMR or SLP. Both work fine for drag racing & are reasonable.
Yea I think you guys are right. The DR's should be first. I always seem to put the cart before the horse. But thats why you guys are here, you always point me in the right direction. Thanks.