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Photos: Jon Maib |
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| Whenever I get something new for the Jeep, I always make it a point to try the installation myself. This way, I get to know my Jeep better and I will have the knowledge to take things apart on the trail if need be. However, there are some things better left to a professional! Last month you saw our 8.8 conversion into the Project TJ. With the new axle came 4.10 gears. So we needed to change our front Dana 30 - 3.54 gears to match the 4.10 rear end. After calling around anonymously to several different gear companies, we decided to get our product from Randy's Ring and Pinion. Everyone that we have spoken with at Randy's has been very personable, very friendly, and most importantly, new what they were talking about. Not only did we get great customer service right off the bat, they had the best prices we could find! We ordered an ARB locker for the front along with the 4.10 gears, and figured what the heck, lets throw in a Detroit for the 8.8.  We received the product quickly and began making calls to see what kind of pricing we could get for the install. Well, as you may know, there is a select breed of people that charge a lot of money to do this stuff! We finally managed to find a shop that was interested in doing it for this article. When we arrived at the shop, their first reaction was, "this is going to be a pain with all the Skyjacker equipment on there! We'll have to remove everything!" After getting the Jeep on the rack, they determined that it was going to take way too long and they weren't interested in spending the time disassembling the lift kit just to install an air line! So, I thanked them for their time and headed home and called Skyjacker about running an air line. They gave me several options for running the air line! So, I figured, I'll just do it myself and show those shop guys!!I quickly found out why professionals charge a lot of money to install gears! Although not incredibly difficult, it does take some time and is a lot of work! But, if you are not afraid of it and have most of the right tools, it can be done by any shade tree mechanic! I highly recommend that if you do not have the proper tools that you do not attempt this kind of installs! Most of the tools needed CANNOT be found at your local Pep Boys or Auto Zone. Your best bet is to order them directly from Randy's Ring and Pinion when you order the gears! On to...4.10's and ARB install |
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