I am looking to install 4.88s or 5.29s in my 85. Unfortunately, I do not have the time or the mechanical ability to install my own gears. Can anybody recommend a shop in Southern California to do the work. I am looking for a drive in/drive out deal. Many thanks.

Call All-Pro,they shoud be able to point you in the right direction.

909-658-7077

It's fair distance from OC, but Ventura 4x4 can do this and do it well. 805.641.4000

Make sure you go to a shop that does ring and pinion installs regularly. I just got my front diff regeared at Drivetrain Direct in Corona...took about 4 hrs for the front diff since they had to remove part of the front IFS crossmember (had to get it re-aligned after that). I watched the install. No, they don't torque every bolt down w/ a torque wrench...have yet to see a mechanic do that. But the guy does multiple installs every day...he could tell how tight too torque the pinion nut (I guess the pinion preload) by feel. He got the ring backlash and centering right the first time, pinion was a little too far in so it took a second attempt (thinner spacer) to get it just right. I ordered Precision Gears, as they are a superior gear distributor. The guy wasn't very excited about IFS...said he works on his brother's '85 Toyota 4x4, and he really likes the solid axle for strength. Price was $350 for the front gear install (I think the rear is $300), including installation and gear setup. Many shops charge $300 for installation, then $200+ to setup the gears.

i secound drivetrain direct. thats where i got mine done 4.10 - 4.88 IFS TRDlocker

800 bux or so if memory serves me maybe closer to 900 but i've had no problems

ryan

I paid the $20 more for precision gears. Like I said, Drivetrain Direct is a superior gear distributor. I saw a guy taking raw R&P gear pairs off the shelf and boxing them into superior boxes. The boxes say a shop in LA makes 'em. The superior gear oil is Torko gear oil (GL-6). That's what was written on the side of the big drum when they wheeled it up to my diff to fill it.

BTW, I requested them to replace the oil seal on the sides of the front diff (they get 'em from the toyota dealer down the street), as the diff is placed in this large steam cleaning "oven" after they pull it. I didn't have the snap rings on the end of the axles replaced, as my front diff had fewer than 100 miles on it over 17 yrs...so far, so good. Haven't really wheeled with it yet, though. I had a 7.5" truetrac installed (had to provide it myself, as they couldn't get them from their distributor or tractech). The truetrac I got uses the V6 carrier bearings (there is another model that uses the 4 cyl bearings...stay away from that one).

<small>[ February 25, 2003, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: James Chow ]</small>