Wow, never have I seen such a difference in the quotes of a job, especially a rather "straight forward" one such as this.

So, I called around to about 7 places today about getting my gears swapped. (I have a set of 4.10s and the master install kit on the way)

The first place, 4wheelparts.com (has a shop here) quoted me a "high" $510, with no guarantee since it's not their parts.

The second place, a 4x4 automotive shop near me, (same one that installed my Auburn carrier and overhauled the axle 18k miles ago) quoted me $710!! with an increased labor cost due to the fact I'm not using their parts.... but is guaranteed.

Then I found a place that said they could do it for $400, and my tension started to ease.. but as they say, never go with the lowest bid..

Called a transmission place that does rear ends and all drivetrain components, and he was about to give me the quote when I told him I was supplying my own parts, then he said he didn't want to do it period lol. But, he gave me a number to a place that he sends some of his jobs to.

This place, Advanced4x4 specializes is 4x4 van conversions and R/Rs all the axles used in the conversions. He told me that about a 1/3rd of the jobs they do are on Chrysler 9.25s, and they have a bay setup just for that rear end, with all the exact specialized parts for the job. When he told me the price, I couldn't believe it. $200 to do the job, pretty tempting. I'm definitely going to check out his shop this week and see if I can put my trust in them, cause the price is great.

another place I called, who is a friend of a friend, told me he could do it for $325. He also says he has all the correct tools for the job. He will be my choice probably, if I don't get a good vibe from the other place.

Anyways, I thought that was interesting enough to make a thread about. I got the gears today and the install kit will be here Friday, looking forward to that torque multiplier!

 

You definitely found some good prices!

 

damn..those are some good prices. times like these I don't like my 4x4 although my priority would be an Auburn like you already have

 

Not bad prices at all. All prices of received up here were $400-$500 for the rear axle.

On a side note (no hijack), since it sounds like you have one... the Auburn LSD fits into the stock pumpkin, no? Any extra parts I should supply to the installers? I have an Auburn LSD I originally intended for my 2001 Ram 9.25 rear axle, and luckily it should fit our Dakota rear ends as well.

 

As far as rearend setups go, Chrysler axles are pretty easy. Still, I don't know how the guy who quoted you $200 can do the job for that, unless the average labor rate there is much lower than it is here. I'm pretty sure independent shops around here are getting like $125 an hour. I'd be surprised if somebody could do a quality gear setup in 2 hours. Hell, it usually takes me the better part of a day (though I'm probably slower than average).

Does the friend of a friend guy work at a legitimate shop and the work is going through there? If he's doing it as a side job in his garage, I'd probably steer clear. You might not have any recourse if he screws it up.

Honestly, if the $200 place is legit and the work is guaranteed (in writing), I would probably have them do it.

 

The auburn is great, I love it. It's looser than it was when first installed, I just consider it broken in because it still locks up really good in a straight line launch. Make sure they use the right diff oil weight and friction additive, or at least a premixed LSD diff oil.

No prob! I don't mind starting a conversation when it's totally related!

Yea, the Auburn fits just fine, direct swap. But, it's a good idea to either get a master install kit, or plan on spending another 100-150 in "extras" because they will want to replace the carrier bearings at least, and probably the pinion bearings. They can be destroyed in removal anyways, and it's not really their fault because it's very difficult not to damage them on removal. Hardly any lip to grab with a puller. Most kits don't come with axle seals and bearings either, which they may want to install as well.

If you go with a bigger gear, I know for certain the 4.56s need to be modified to fit, they grind down the tips of the edge of the teeth, there's no contact on that part usually anyways, so it's a common practice. I will know soon if 4.10s need to be modified with the Auburn diff as well.

Yea the 9.25 has some tricks that make it easier than other diffs, but a lot of shops that don't specialize in diff work don't really know how to use those and can botch the job up because it's not like most other diffs.

Honestly, when he told me $200, my jaw dropped. But I went and visited the shop today because I really wanted to gain some confidence and I considered it worth the drive for that price. He showed me around his shop and it's huge. On one side they had about 8 jeeps being worked on, in a corner they had a stack of about 30 axles that he told me are being R/Rd to be installed as 4x4 van conversions. They do A LOT of work for first response and other specialized 4x4 needs. He told me that every employee is trained and shadowed for 2 years before they are allowed to do an axle unassisted.

As I understand it, their shop does around 30 diffs a week, about half going into new van conversions and about a 1/4 are from drivetrain and auto shops that bring their work to them, the rest are from walk in customers and they are able to give good prices since their government contracts pay so well.

The labor rates out here have a crazy range. Some are as low as $50 an hour, some as high as $125. Most of them just take info from a database of recommended hours for each type of job and quote that, which includes a lot of buffer time I assume.

The friend of a friend actually works at a shop called rev'em up and does a lot of work. He's familiar with the 9.25 and has all the correct tools to do the job, and he says the job calls for 5.5hrs but he knows he can do it in a lot less, so he cut me a deal. But I'm not sure I'll go to him after seeing the setup at the other place.

I also might be selling my gears, or returning them, because they want me to use theirs so they can more comfortably guarantee it and it's only $70 more for their set. Plus, I guess Richmond (the ones I got) aren't very reputable..