Author Topic: Cheapest way to swap gears  (Read 1224 times)

Offline 73challenger_TN

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Cheapest way to swap gears
« on: February 23, 2007 - 08:28:54 PM »
I have been looing to change to 3.91 gears. I have a 3.23 suregrip 742 in right now. I have been watching ebay for a nice 3.91 stump but they always go for quite abit of money. The last one I bet on went for 530$ plus 50$ shipping. I was going to rebuild mine but I thought I could get a complete one for cheaper. Then I would have two. New Gears are 200$+120$ for new bearings+new clutches 60$+getting someone to install it 100(ish?) that is a little cheaper. But, If I rebuilt mine It would be basically new. If I bought another I would have two and I could swap to 3.23s for long hauls and things. I also have a spare 489 case that would need a suregrip and gears also. I think this is the next mod I need but now I'm not really sure. It's pretty hard stomaching all the money for 3.91s when I bought my 3.23 stump for 150$. After I swap gears I am wanting to purchase a PTC convertor, racer brown cam, and a set of Mickey T street radials. I am wanting to drag 1/4 mile but my car is mostly street driven.




Offline OUTLAW

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2007 - 04:53:10 AM »
I have found several center sections from the local junkyard for $150 to $250 and most had a posi in it with 3.91 to 4.10 gears. The trick is to look for a center section from a van or pickup . When they think its for a car they jack the price but if they think its for a old junk hauling truck they damn near give them to you ( kind of a luck of the draw on the ratio or posi... but if you get too specific about that then they figure it out and jack the price again)
Plus  most junk yards dont have any old cars sitting around but the 8 3/4 rear was used in a variety of utility vehicles long after they quit using them in cars so chances are fair they will still have some around

Offline vinb

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2007 - 07:54:45 AM »
Outlaw, excellent point.......

Offline 73challenger_TN

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2007 - 01:46:00 PM »
I went to a junkyard today. I found a open 3.23 489 case... All of the other. I did find a 50s 4 door dodge car that was in nice shape. To bad it was a 4 door. The junkyard also had a AMC Javelin, 3 1st gen camaros, and a 69ish Fury? that was restorable.

Offline Jacksboys

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2007 - 09:23:48 PM »
Plus  most junk yards dont have any old cars sitting around but the 8 3/4 rear was used in a variety of utility vehicles long after they quit using them in cars so chances are fair they will still have some around

I do not mean to hijack the post, but which utility vehicles?
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Offline 72hemi

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2007 - 09:37:01 PM »
junkyards are the way to go. I picked up my 3.91 posi at a pick n pull on a half off day for $35 including their core charge. The most I think I have ever paid for a center section is $76 at a wrecking yard for 3.55 open. Good luck.
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Offline moper

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Re: Cheapest way to swap gears
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2007 - 10:13:48 AM »
Truck 8 3/4 are generally at least 3.55s. I've found several 3.91 one leggers, and thats a sure grip away from what you want. If it's not a Sure Grip, they also price cheap.