Question to The Best & the Brightest.

9 1/4 rear...
ring and pinion...

Can I swap it out or am I in over my head without special tools? I have a FSM.
(In other words: I'm too stupid to do this and should leave it to a pro).

Jump on it. Its not as hard as ya think. Just take care when setting the lash.

It depends on if you are going to use Chrysler parts or aftermarket. The factory gears have a number writen on the side of the ring gear that makes pinion depth shim selection easy, but most aftermarket gears require a pinion depth gauge to set up. Also you will need a tool to spin the side carrier adjusters. If you can not borrow one, one can be easily made. Also be careful during disassembly cleaning not to clean off the numbers writen on the ring gear (usually yellow or white)

It's not that hard, and there is plenty of info out there regarding how to do it. The big hurter is you will need some specialized tools - inparticular the long tools that go down the axle tubes to adjust the side bearings ( preload and back lash). You will also need a dial indicator w / magnetic base, large socket and breaker bar for tightening the pinion nut, yoke holding fixture, inch pound wrench, torque wrench. Too bad your not a little closer. I would loan you all my stuff. You can make a yoke holding fixture ( I did ) or use a very large pipe wrench. The other tools are general shop tools. When switching gears, I have always had good luck by using the original shims over again. Study the existing pattern. If it is not ideal, add or subbtract shims from the original shims ( do not go over .015" ) and you will usually only have to do it once.

I knew I needed the slack adjusting tool (32 bucks on Amazon).



The ring and pinion is a used set (90k mi.). Virtually no wear that I can see.
Everthing els I have except the yoke fixture but I can figure that one out.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably go for it.

If you hear this at 3:00 A.M., ignore it:

Wow. That's a good price. Mine are home made. Made 2 so I don't have to swap back and forth when adjusting. Been looking to sell a Yukon 3.90:1 gear set with under 5000 miles on it if you know anyone interested. Go slow when setting the pinion bearing preload. Once you come up against the crush sleeve, you will strain your milk - and once pinion bearing clearance reaches "0", it will take very little more tightening to reach preload.