I'm having the ring & pinion in my 8 3/4 swapped out with a different gear ratio. I am starting to look around to see who can do the job which got me to thinking, could a new car dealer shop do this job? My reasoning is, the situation seems that with new cars computerized, diagnostics and getting hands dirty are fading. Let the computers do the work, r&r part; re-set computer. Is this overly simplistic? I've already figured most of the old school mechanics are gone. But, I'd like to think that there are some gearheads that work at dealership shops. So, is this an area to look into? Or should I locate a shop that specializes in this type of work?

A new car dealer service dept isn't going to do an over the counter gear swap. They wouldn't even know what an 8 3/4 center section is. Try do find a dealer mech that can gap a set of point lately.?

At best a truck service center might be about the only dealer type service shop that might have a mechanic that would understand differentials. We have a big Ford dealer here and they have a huge commercial truck service shop and I know of several of their long time mechanics that could handle that.......they are also car guys with several performance muscle cars. Then if you head across the lot to the car service center I don't know if I would trust one of the mechanics over there to handle rotating the tires properly on the wife's minivan.

The only other places that I might trust to do the job or point me in the right direction are a couple of performance engine builder shops. They build race engines from drag racers to circle track racers and those guys are always working on differentials....the racers that is. The performance engine builders would know where to send you or maybe even do that service/build in house too ??

Mike

I doubt a new car dealer would want the job in the first place, and I am certain that they wouldn't install a ring & pinion that you provided to them.

Use to work at a dodge dealer back in 2001, I had an 87 dakota - leaving work one day it wouldn't start. I went into the shop and nobody knew "how to work on anything that old" except ONE guy, and he figured out the issue in 2 minutes. He's probably retired now.

Hello, I set up 8 3/4 rear ends ( as well as dana 60 and most others) here at my shop.
As far as a dealer, forget about that it would never happen. The "techs" they have working at most are at best glorified parts changers and at worst flat rate guys trying to beat the book on every job, quality be damned.
Your best bet is to find an old school hot rod shop that has old guys (real mechanics and craftsmen).
You can also ship everything to me and I can set it up and ship back. I am just in Arkansas so pretty close.
Thanks, Steve

Pasadena TX is close to Houston TX

There’s gotta be many places in that area that do:

Differential repair
4x4 differentials
Drivetrain services

Go in the race section and ask with the title: Recommended rear end shop Houston TX area?

I found a place in Pasadena TX called “ Pasadena Spped Shop” . On the Google Street View there is a massive twin turbo’d Corvette sitting in front.

I’m thinking they would have an idea

Guys- thanks for the advice. Laughed at the tires/mini-van quip. I see the valid points you raise. Thanks, for the heads up about Pasadena Speed shop. Alright then, will be easy enough to find a shop.
Ferd

Go to Pyle Bros in Baytown, they’re good. They’ve set up a few chunks for me.

https://www.pylebros.com/

Pyle Brothers Differentials in Baytown. Thats all they do.

circle track race shops or tractor drive line repair usually have the best understanding on gears.............there are plenty of folks around who know how. a dealer would be at least 2 times higher priced too!

Shops that specialize 4X4 truck / Jeep repair are usually good at differential repair.

I guess you've never been to the Toyota dealership where I work. All the writers know that I will work ANY transmission or rear axle. I set up Mopar, Toyota, Dana, and 9" Ford rears all at the dealership. Oh and I can set points and adjust a carburetor too
Gus

A dealer isn't even on my radar for that kind of work. Best bet is to find some small local shop that's been around a while and ask them. They would know where to go for that kind of work or could even do it themselves.

As far as only doing parts swaps, there are a number of dealers around here with mechanics who have the training to tear into engines or rebuild transmissions for newer vehicles.