You will wonder why you did not buy a spreader sooner. The cheap ebay ones work perfect. Marked shims, setup bearings, a yoke eliminator sleeve for setup and a spreader make it easy. I give up on pinion depth measure, my last new dana brand pinion was marked zero, but still ended up with .010 less shim. The $29 ratech tool was very accurate with this pinion in this housing. The tools will get it close, slip bearings allow you to get that pattern perfect. I find even though slips are a time saver you will spend the same time on the rearend, but will get it right, not just say good enough.