[kirkm76]

Anyone have a ballpark figure as to what it costs to have a ring and pinion installed into an 8 inch. It is an open carrier. Is this a difficult job to do myself?

 

[modifiedmark]

I wouldnt call it extremely difficult, but unless you have the special tools needed I would think you may want to have it done for you. mm

 

[jimk351c]

When I swapped from an open rear to a posi, I removed the pumpkin from the axle housing myself and re-installed the finished product. Besides that, I had a local specialist do all the ring and pinion work for me. He only charged me $90 of labor! Of course, the parts cost me another $400, but for $90, I had an experienced rear-end specialist set everything up for me. He setup NASCAR 9 inch rears for years, so it was certainly $90 well spent.

This is something you never want to mess with again, have someone that really knows what they are doing setup the ring and pinion for you.

Just my $.02

 

[jimk351c]

I should add in, the specialist I used is best friends with a good friend of mine. So, don't expect to find someone willing to do that kind of work for only $90. But, still, it is worth paying someone that knows what they are doing.

 

[kirkm76]

I think I'm going to buy a complete pumpkin and bolt it in myself. Going with the open diff for budget reasons now (body work budget keeps expanding). I can't decide on 3.55 or 3.80 gears still though. Trans is an AOD, so the 3.00 in there now has to go.

 

[TheRktmn]

You can set up your own ring and pinion if you have the proper tools - most notably a dial indicator. I have done a few in my day. Granted, they are probably not perfect and no where near what a NASCAR tech could do for you, but they don't vibrate, make noise or wear so I guess the average shade tree can do it. Here is a link to give you and idea of what's involved to set one up:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/9inch/

 

[modifiedmark]

kirkm76, If your going to buy a 8" pig, you will have a hard time finding 3.50 geared one and will have to pay dearly for one so if you keep your eyes peeled you may find it cheaper and just a easy to go ahead and switch to a whole 9" rear end. Just a thought. mm

 

[TheRktmn]

Mark is right. My father's 66 Stang has an 8" rearend and he's gone through hoops trying to find a posi unit for it. He's to a point now where he just grabs 8" pumpkins no matter what they have. H know he has 3 now: 3:00 posi, 3:50 open (figure THAT out!) and a 3:00 open and a 4:11 gear set. This is after collecting parts for over 20 years. 9" are definitely easier to find!

 

[dark7068]

check out this site for 8in. posi's.

http://www.mustangii.org/decoder/axle/

 

[CrazyCat]

most shops will have a standard bench fee for rebuilding the carrier regardless of whats inside. My guess would be 150-200$

 

[kirkm76]

I found a guy on Ebay who will build me a 3.55 open diff with yukon gears for around 300. Posi units go for around 500 bucks. Think I'm gonna go with the 3.55 since the car will see tons of highway miles. I'd probably stay with the 3.00 if it wouldn't make the OD useless unless I was going 80 m.p.h. or so. Also its a lot easier to get my speedo accurate with 3.55's than 3.80's. The guy has a 3.55 posi third member (new gears and gearless posi unit) for 500 right now.

 

[kirkm76]

Mark is right. My father's 66 Stang has an 8" rearend and he's gone through hoops trying to find a posi unit for it. He's to a point now where he just grabs 8" pumpkins no matter what they have. H know he has 3 now: 3:00 posi, 3:50 open (figure THAT out!) and a 3:00 open and a 4:11 gear set. This is after collecting parts for over 20 years. 9" are definitely easier to find!

I have seen a lot of aftermarket posi units around. As for factory stuff though, the pickings are pretty slim.

 

[TheRktmn]

Yeah, he just broke down and bought a posi unit from auburn gears. Not cheap! He likes to change gears depending on his mood. Must be nice to be retired and have nothing better to do, huh?