New Carrier Gear Swap Question

[SquareRoot]

Now that I've driven the truck a few weeks without the Detroit locker there is NO WAY its going back in. I am going to purchase a Limited Slip Posi and install it myself. I've gone back and forth on keeping the SF axle in it and swapping the gears to 4:56 to match the front...or...keep the FF and swap the carrier and retaining the humongous brake drums (13 x 3.5) and weight of the axle. All in all, I think keeping the FF and just adding the posi is the most cost effective option.

With that said: Can I install a new carrier and reuse the existing ring & pinion gears? I believe the setup on the FF is fairly easy, since it doesn't use crush sleeves or side shims. Getting the gear pattern back to "stock" should be achievable, I think?

What say yall?

 

[CalSgt]

Yes, you can install used gears on a different carrier but they should be patterned and checked for backlash. Basically they need to be set up like new gears

ETA: There may be more to it than that I know some gear sets only work with specific carriers based on the thickness of the ring gear.

 

[68post]

It's been said that it is very important to set the new pattern exactly same as the original pattern to reduce wear and noise.

 

[Catbox]

I have used junkyard gear sets in different axles, as long as the ring and pinion are kept together.
As well I have reused the new set I bought and ran for 5 years.

Like the others have said, they just need to be set back up like they were new.

 

[SquareRoot]

Next question, regarding the brakes. Since discs with "useful" parking brake options are not feasible, I am entertaining swapping the 13 x 3.5 drums and hardware with the narrower 13 x 2.5 version. I'd wait until I need new shoes but I want to be prepared.

So, anybody know if it's a direct swap except of course drums, shoes and possibly backing plate?

Why, you might ask? Parts are cheaper and less un-sprung weight. The difference in ride quality between the FF and SF is remarkable to me. If I don't need the overkill pieces, I'd rather not carry around the extra weight.

 

[SquareRoot]

Update: Received my new Spidey Gears from Summit. They look HUGE in the box! I'll be pulling the Detroit Bang Bang out this weekend. Should be easy-peasy. Throw in a new pinion seal while I'm at it and bend up some new brake lines with shielding. Pics will follow.

 

[Bextreme04]

Update: Received my new Spidey Gears from Summit. They look HUGE in the box! I'll be pulling the Detroit Bang Bang out this weekend. Should be easy-peasy. Throw in a new pinion seal while I'm at it and bend up some new brake lines with shielding. Pics will follow.

get a crush sleeve eliminator kit while you are at it. They are something like $60 and you will need it if you break loose the pinion nut. Its all around a complete b!tch to mess with the crush sleeve on the pinion and it takes something like 5-600 ft-lbs to get it to start crushing. Most people use a press to get it started, and it REQUIRES most of a 20 ton press to do so. My 12 ton was not nearly enough.