Gears and Locker questions

[Rexsname]

Mark,

So 20 minutes driving, 5 hours (or more) cooling and then repeat for a hundred miles? Assuming that the work is not done in Prescott, how the heck should I get home? I have ruled out Prescott because S&S Off Road hasn't done any Toyota IFS front diffs. I was thinking of Marlin in Fresno or 4Wheel down in Phoenix. I really want to do this right, once. but I can't take a week and a half to get home again.


REX

 

[DaveInDenver]

I was thinking of Marlin in Fresno or 4Wheel down in Phoenix.

Given this choice, Marlin, Marlin, Marlin!

I had mine done here in town at Slee. I picked it up on a Friday after work. I drove for about 10 minutes, stopped to eat for about an hour (long enough that the third member was just warm to the touch, but not exactly stone cold). Set out again for about 10 minutes and stopped for about an hour. Set out for a third time, going slow on side roads. Last time took about 15 minutes. I let it cool overnight, drained the lube and refilled with dino. Drove the next 100 miles doing steady accelerations and decelerations and a very light gas pedal. Lube change and the next 500 miles just avoiding very exceptionally hard accelerations or shocks (no offroad). Changed the lube once again and just drove like normal. Mainly in that first 10 or 20 miles you don't want to cook the gear oil as the teeth mesh and the gears harden. The diff can get very hot in that first few miles, but should not be getting nearly as hot after that.

 

[xcmountain80]

Sorry, just an attempt at humor that obviously didn't work



Umm I drive icy roads slowly because I'm not experienced with icy roads and wish to be safe.

My Land Rover is powered by a 1970 Mustang 302 V8 with 1991 fuel injection system. With my gearing high range fourth gear puts me at 2680 RPM @ 65 MPH. 75 MPH only takes a gentle movement of the throttle pedal. At the other end low range first is 70:1 at the axle. I can go quite fast quickly or very slow if I choose.

Anyway I apologize if you took offense where none was intended I was just trying to understand why you choose the combination that you did because it was counterintuitive to my experience. I don't know what works best on ice roads. I threw in what I use for different conditions as a rationalization for my choice.

No need to apologize not as sensitive as some folk. Your rig sound interesting you will have to pm me a link or pictures.


Aaron

 

[crawler#976]

Here's another local option:

H T Automotive
8743 East Long Mesa Dr.
Prescott Valley, AZ. 86314
759-3700

H T stands for "Hazardous Toy's" - he's a road rally truck racer.

Dave owns the shop - I'd advise going there vs. calling. He's a fabulous mechanic, but has a severe stuttering problem. Tell him I sent you in. He used to work at Iron Spring 4x4 and did most of the heavy rebuilding stuff - axles, t'cases, tranny's.

Mark,

So 20 minutes driving, 5 hours (or more) cooling and then repeat for a hundred miles? Assuming that the work is not done in Prescott, how the heck should I get home? I have ruled out Prescott because S&S Off Road hasn't done any Toyota IFS front diffs. I was thinking of Marlin in Fresno or 4Wheel down in Phoenix. I really want to do this right, once. but I can't take a week and a half to get home again.


REX

...that is a really sticky situation, and indeed lead to the failure of one of my rear R&P's. Had it done in Phx, drove to Anthem, sat for 3 hours at the Micky'D's, stopped at Sunset Point for 3 hours, then came home, and the gears were toast. They didn't last 3000 miles.

On the set that went 30K I borrowed a trailer and towed it down and back from Phx.

For my last setup I decided to buy a complete third from West Coast Diff. That was by far the easiest way to go. Spendy, but real easy...

If you have another vehicle to use, pull the rear third and front diff yourself and haul'm down to Phx. Make an appointment with the understanding that both front and rear gears must be completed in one day - that should be no big deal.

Mark

 

[Rexsname]

I know me and I know what I know and what I don't know. I'm pretty sure I could pull the rear third member without screwing things up too badly but I'm just as sure that the front differential R&R is beyond me. The whole reason for paying to have the work done is for warrenty and 'come back' issues. The truck has to work. If we were to no show on a fair, for whatever reason, we would not only miss out on the income from that fair, but would also loose our deposits and would never get back into that fair again. I'm pretty sure that there would be no warrenty coverage on differentials that I removed, had gears set-up and then re-installed. I'll check in on the place in PV, I'd really prefer to do business locally.

REX

 

[Rexsname]

Any gear brand reccomendations or cautions? I've decided on 4Wheelers Supply down in Phoenix based on Scott's advice......I'd hate to buy the wrong brand just out of ignorance.

REX

 

[Rexsname]

Update

:ar15: Check my Fireside Chat thread entitled "I hate incompetence" The re-gear will not be done in Phoenix.

 

[SEREvince]

I understand your warranty concerns, but removing and replacing a front or rear differential is pretty easy and it's very unlikely it would be the cuase of any future problems. Just have a friend on hand, that front one is heavy!

I lucked out and picked up f/r thirds with ARBs and had them regeared, but you can often find thirds for relativley cheap so there is no down time and you can do the break in locally.

Don't fret on the decision on your front ARB. I am a perfect example of what a front locker in the wrong hands can do!

As a very novice wheeler I came across one of those deals you hear about but never believe are true on dual ARBs and a compressor. The first time out I was on loose steeeep terrain and having all 4 tires spinning promptly sent me to the bottom of a drainage, in my vain attempt to claw my way out I snapped both front CV shafts. Had I not engaged either locker I would have likely had two tires acting as anchors and been in much better shape. I went plenty of places before the lockers with out any problems, several times pulling out dual locked trucks stuck behind me. Ignorance can be expensive!

Live and learn

 

[ntsqd]

Rex, how does a hop over to Ventura look? I know Ruben can do the work, and it'll be right. PM if this is feasible for contact info.

 

[Rexsname]

I had the front and rear differentials regeared at S&S Off Road here in Prescott, Az. I was allowed to hang out and watch the process. The patterns looked perfect and the gears are quiet and vibration free. I followed the break-in procedures exactly and feel good about the final outcome.



Next step......transmission service :Mechanic: