Price to install gears?

stock89 · 10-27-2001, 12:57 AM

In middle-nowhere Missouri, I called a local dealer and they wanted $400 to install gears. You have to be kidding me, is what I told them. What is a realistic price? I have rebuilt diesel engines and play with boats, but not diffs. How hard is it, really. The stang is a toy- I just want it a little faster to 60 to keep the ricers away. Also- I frequently drive it at 80-95 MPH, what would 3:73 tach out at with those speeds?

------------------
89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16)
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy

84_GT350 · 10-27-2001, 02:12 AM

I'd say that's a bit high. Again with this Missouri (misery) stuff. Depending on where you live you might have to end up paying that if you want it dealer installed. Finding a performance shop is preferable but let's face it, you live in the middle of MO. Normally performance shops will charge around $200-$300. Swapping out gears isn't insanely hard BUT you need some special tools to set pinion depth and such. Good luck man.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

So I pushed it up to 110,
That flathead motor was about to give in,
I crossed my fingers and prayed to the lord,
Don't let me down you fuct up ford!"

"5-Oh Ford" by The Reverend Horton Heat

89 ATI · 10-27-2001, 07:10 AM

You can do it yourself. There is nothing that complicated about it. I would just use Ford gears and slap it back together with the same shim and it will be fine. If you have any old Muscle Mustangs around check out the June 99 issue. It tells you step by step how to change gears. When setting the pinion bearing preload use an inchpound torque wrench and set it at 8-14 with old bearings or 16-29 with a new bearing. Assembled the backlash between the ring and pinion should be 6-12 thousandths. Torque all the big bolts to 90 footpounds. Fill it up with 2 quarts of your favorite gear oil.

mustangbob19 · 10-28-2001, 01:31 AM

200-300 is a fair price. Doing it yourself is not easy!!!

------------------
1990 Mustang GT 5.0
1966 Mustang 200 six
2001 Ford F-150 5.4

smokedchevy · 10-28-2001, 03:32 AM

Dudes, that is cheap! I payed $575 with 4;10 gears new bearings and installation. I guess stuff is a little more expensive over here.

------------------
92 GT, 4:10 gears, centerforce clutch, 6# powerdyne blower, bbk h-pipe, flowmasters

1BAD89 · 10-28-2001, 03:53 AM

Yeah I'd say $400 is about right. With the gears and all my friend paid like a little over $600. Ford motorsport gears:$189+about $400. I paid around that to, but I took it to a Ford dealership. If you cruise at 95mph all the time, I say keep the stock gears in there. You can't keep the ricers away as your car sits now? ::shrug:: I bet you can. I say get a $500 Nitrous kit, set it at 150 shot, and be alot faster from 0-60 than any gears can get you. And then you can still cruise at 95 comfortably. ;o)

------------------
-1989 GT, not stock.

-2000 Camaro SS-A4,
13.4's bone stock.

-1989 Chevy S-10, EX. Cab-383(500+hp on motor), tubbed, trick flow heads, trick flow pistons, etc... autometer phantom gauges, "built" 700R4, roll cage, lexan back window, corbeau seats, R.H.S. 5 harnesses, Fuel cell, convo pro wheels, 15x14's with 29x18.5 M/T'S on back, 15x4's on front, nitrous, and so much more!

Johns331 · 10-28-2001, 09:18 AM

I think $400 is about right, I paid $780 for a new 31 spline tracLock and 3.73 gear set. The price included all new bearings,seals and Red Line lube.

------------------
86 TurboCoupe,T-5, 331 Stroker, Edelbrock Heads, S Trim. M2300K brakes, Cobra R wheels, Bunch of other stuff

zepherman · 10-29-2001, 12:43 AM

I live in Oklahoma, and a local speed shop has quoted me $200 if i supply the gears.

------------------
90 GT, Red with white racing stripes. Did the AOD-T5 swap, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, Factory sun roof and armrest delete, Pace setter off-road H pipe, Flows, Ford Racing aluminim driveshaft, Auto Meter Sport Comp Silver tach, and a K&N filter.

Mr 5 0 · 10-29-2001, 11:28 AM

I paid a 'pro' (he's done hundreds of gear swaps) $200. to install my 3.55's. I got a guarantee against vibrations, etc. and never had a problem. Total was $230. Fair price considering the labor and chances of screw-ups avoided. Dealer prices are always insane but you may be stuck due to your location. Look around for a quality shop that might do the install; it's not brain surgery but easy to get wrong and you do need the special tools mentioned in an earlier post.

The 3.73's won't hurt top end much. You'll see about 2400 RPM or less at 65 mph compared to around 1800 with 2.73's/3.08's. Actual RPM's will partially depend on your tire size but even at 2400 you'll not do any real harm and the increase in low-end acceleration will amaze you...feels like you added another 75 HP. A highly recommended modification.

Dark_5.0 · 10-29-2001, 12:48 PM

I did my gear swap myself and had no problems it was easy money. Just buy the gears and the installation kit and its a half a day job.

Good luck

------------------
88 mustang gt convertible bored to 306 BBk equal length headers, mac cold air fender kit, 3.73 FMS gears, Steeds Tri-ax shifter, Steeda underdrive pullies, Custom off road X-pipe, 2 chamber flow masters, cowl hood, nitto drag radials, ford racing clutch, 160* thermostat 16 degrees of timing electric fan off 94' t-bird jacobs electronics cap and wires. Edelbrock 1 1/2 inch drop springs. (Best E.T. 14.79@93mph @3000ft)

stock89 · 10-29-2001, 01:59 PM

I have changed the trans, cylinder head & head gasket on the VW diesel (those were NOT easy jobs), and I've pretty much rebuilt my boat floor and engine. Maybe I could do the gears myself... So what do the 3:73's tach out at going 80MPH? I frequently drive to Va and like to cruise between 80-100 depending on traffic, just listen closely to the CB for the smokies

I just don't want to be redlined at 100. Make sense??
All you guys info here is awesome! Having a great time, glad I found this site.

------------------
89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16)
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy

95GTS · 10-29-2001, 03:03 PM

Where are you at in Missouri? I supplied the gears and extras when I had my gears in my stang put in. The speedshop charged me $200 to put it in. The total after parts and labor came to about $400. You can get new Fordmotorsport gears from Diversified Marketing Products for $149 ($159 after shipping). JMO but I'd replace the bearings and you'll need shims, too. And you'll need 3 quarts of fluid and a bottle of friction modifier. The rear takes a bit over 2 quarts. I"m in the Springfield area myself.

------------------
1994 Red SVT Lightning #2019
National Lightning Owners Club

slo95 · 10-29-2001, 07:21 PM

where ya at in MO? I am in Columbia and have a guy that might help ya...did mine 30K ago, no issues at all - $250.00 - but almost the only game in town... another guy in Ashland does them for under $200.

stock89 · 10-29-2001, 10:50 PM

I'm at Fort Leonard Wood, about an hour or so East of Springfield. I may have to link up with you (96 GTS) to get that instal guys name and number. Actually, can you just post that guy's name and number? I have at least half a brain (I know this b/c I have half a head of hair), I know that the lower the gears the lower the top speed. What do you tach out at around 80 MPH with 3:73's? What about 3:55's? I know that 3:55 is the popular choice. Do any of you ever go to STL to run at Gateway International? I heard they have a quarter out there- no idea what the charges are....

------------------
89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16)
98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy

10-27-2001, 12:57 AM	#1
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	Price to install gears? In middle-nowhere Missouri, I called a local dealer and they wanted $400 to install gears. You have to be kidding me, is what I told them. What is a realistic price? I have rebuilt diesel engines and play with boats, but not diffs. How hard is it, really. The stang is a toy- I just want it a little faster to 60 to keep the ricers away. Also- I frequently drive it at 80-95 MPH, what would 3:73 tach out at with those speeds? ------------------ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16) 98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy

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10-27-2001, 02:12 AM	#2
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	I'd say that's a bit high. Again with this Missouri (misery) stuff. Depending on where you live you might have to end up paying that if you want it dealer installed. Finding a performance shop is preferable but let's face it, you live in the middle of MO. Normally performance shops will charge around $200-$300. Swapping out gears isn't insanely hard BUT you need some special tools to set pinion depth and such. Good luck man. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s So I pushed it up to 110, That flathead motor was about to give in, I crossed my fingers and prayed to the lord, Don't let me down you fuct up ford!" "5-Oh Ford" by The Reverend Horton Heat

10-27-2001, 07:10 AM	#3
89 ATI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 120	You can do it yourself. There is nothing that complicated about it. I would just use Ford gears and slap it back together with the same shim and it will be fine. If you have any old Muscle Mustangs around check out the June 99 issue. It tells you step by step how to change gears. When setting the pinion bearing preload use an inchpound torque wrench and set it at 8-14 with old bearings or 16-29 with a new bearing. Assembled the backlash between the ring and pinion should be 6-12 thousandths. Torque all the big bolts to 90 footpounds. Fill it up with 2 quarts of your favorite gear oil.

10-28-2001, 01:31 AM	#4
mustangbob19 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Minnesota Posts: 125	200-300 is a fair price. Doing it yourself is not easy!!! ------------------ 1990 Mustang GT 5.0 1966 Mustang 200 six 2001 Ford F-150 5.4

10-28-2001, 03:32 AM	#5
smokedchevy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: ventura,CA Posts: 438	Dudes, that is cheap! I payed $575 with 4;10 gears new bearings and installation. I guess stuff is a little more expensive over here. ------------------ 92 GT, 4:10 gears, centerforce clutch, 6# powerdyne blower, bbk h-pipe, flowmasters

10-28-2001, 03:53 AM	#6
1BAD89 Tubbed and Juiced Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,861	Yeah I'd say $400 is about right. With the gears and all my friend paid like a little over $600. Ford motorsport gears:$189+about $400. I paid around that to, but I took it to a Ford dealership. If you cruise at 95mph all the time, I say keep the stock gears in there. You can't keep the ricers away as your car sits now? ::shrug:: I bet you can. I say get a $500 Nitrous kit, set it at 150 shot, and be alot faster from 0-60 than any gears can get you. And then you can still cruise at 95 comfortably. ;o) ------------------ -1989 GT, not stock. -2000 Camaro SS-A4, 13.4's bone stock. -1989 Chevy S-10, EX. Cab-383(500+hp on motor), tubbed, trick flow heads, trick flow pistons, etc... autometer phantom gauges, "built" 700R4, roll cage, lexan back window, corbeau seats, R.H.S. 5 harnesses, Fuel cell, convo pro wheels, 15x14's with 29x18.5 M/T'S on back, 15x4's on front, nitrous, and so much more!

10-28-2001, 09:18 AM	#7
Johns331 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Rosamond, Ca Posts: 8	I think $400 is about right, I paid $780 for a new 31 spline tracLock and 3.73 gear set. The price included all new bearings,seals and Red Line lube. ------------------ 86 TurboCoupe,T-5, 331 Stroker, Edelbrock Heads, S Trim. M2300K brakes, Cobra R wheels, Bunch of other stuff

10-29-2001, 12:43 AM	#8
zepherman Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Oklahoma City OK USA Posts: 236	I live in Oklahoma, and a local speed shop has quoted me $200 if i supply the gears. ------------------ 90 GT, Red with white racing stripes. Did the AOD-T5 swap, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, Factory sun roof and armrest delete, Pace setter off-road H pipe, Flows, Ford Racing aluminim driveshaft, Auto Meter Sport Comp Silver tach, and a K&N filter.

10-29-2001, 11:28 AM	#9
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	I paid a 'pro' (he's done hundreds of gear swaps) $200. to install my 3.55's. I got a guarantee against vibrations, etc. and never had a problem. Total was $230. Fair price considering the labor and chances of screw-ups avoided. Dealer prices are always insane but you may be stuck due to your location. Look around for a quality shop that might do the install; it's not brain surgery but easy to get wrong and you do need the special tools mentioned in an earlier post. The 3.73's won't hurt top end much. You'll see about 2400 RPM or less at 65 mph compared to around 1800 with 2.73's/3.08's. Actual RPM's will partially depend on your tire size but even at 2400 you'll not do any real harm and the increase in low-end acceleration will amaze you...feels like you added another 75 HP. A highly recommended modification.

10-29-2001, 12:48 PM	#10
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	I did my gear swap myself and had no problems it was easy money. Just buy the gears and the installation kit and its a half a day job. Good luck ------------------ 88 mustang gt convertible bored to 306 BBk equal length headers, mac cold air fender kit, 3.73 FMS gears, Steeds Tri-ax shifter, Steeda underdrive pullies, Custom off road X-pipe, 2 chamber flow masters, cowl hood, nitto drag radials, ford racing clutch, 160* thermostat 16 degrees of timing electric fan off 94' t-bird jacobs electronics cap and wires. Edelbrock 1 1/2 inch drop springs. (Best E.T. 14.79@93mph @3000ft)

10-29-2001, 01:59 PM	#11
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	I have changed the trans, cylinder head & head gasket on the VW diesel (those were NOT easy jobs), and I've pretty much rebuilt my boat floor and engine. Maybe I could do the gears myself... So what do the 3:73's tach out at going 80MPH? I frequently drive to Va and like to cruise between 80-100 depending on traffic, just listen closely to the CB for the smokies I just don't want to be redlined at 100. Make sense?? All you guys info here is awesome! Having a great time, glad I found this site. ------------------ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16) 98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy

10-29-2001, 03:03 PM	#12
95GTS Git jiggy Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: MO USA Posts: 865	Where are you at in Missouri? I supplied the gears and extras when I had my gears in my stang put in. The speedshop charged me $200 to put it in. The total after parts and labor came to about $400. You can get new Fordmotorsport gears from Diversified Marketing Products for $149 ($159 after shipping). JMO but I'd replace the bearings and you'll need shims, too. And you'll need 3 quarts of fluid and a bottle of friction modifier. The rear takes a bit over 2 quarts. I"m in the Springfield area myself. ------------------ 1994 Red SVT Lightning #2019 National Lightning Owners Club

10-29-2001, 07:21 PM	#13
slo95 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 168	where ya at in MO? I am in Columbia and have a guy that might help ya...did mine 30K ago, no issues at all - $250.00 - but almost the only game in town... another guy in Ashland does them for under $200.

10-29-2001, 10:50 PM	#14
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	I'm at Fort Leonard Wood, about an hour or so East of Springfield. I may have to link up with you (96 GTS) to get that instal guys name and number. Actually, can you just post that guy's name and number? I have at least half a brain (I know this b/c I have half a head of hair), I know that the lower the gears the lower the top speed. What do you tach out at around 80 MPH with 3:73's? What about 3:55's? I know that 3:55 is the popular choice. Do any of you ever go to STL to run at Gateway International? I heard they have a quarter out there- no idea what the charges are.... ------------------ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, near showroom condition, Flowmasters (my dream since 16) 98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 (Very rare and hence a driveway princess), 90 VW Jetta Diesel (200K, 45 MPG and all hers), 87 Cutlass (mine) 84 Cutlass (170K of faithful service)87 Bayliner 2250 Cuddy