I soooo wish you lived near me.

$2000 is steep for the OEM gears and install, but it really is worth it. I went the cheap route and you see what it got me, a new truck that makes a 74 Ford with 200K miles on it sound quiet.

As for the Tundra, no way I'd trade the RAM in for that one. They're decent looking, but when I test drove one it felt like riding a brick, and that was a normal 2WD one. I could only imagine what a supercharged and lowered one would ride like.

 

So you are saying that the average dealer tech is setting up gears?

 

umm if the gears are toast, then they should not charge you for the labor for the gear swap just the diff in price between the stock gears and what the 4:10s run.

4:10 gear price minus the stock gear price plus the cost of the LSD and maybe the master install kit maximum (would fight that part to, cause they should have to use it to redo the gears with the stock ratio, but would pay that part if it came down to it) = what you should pay. Labor they have to do anyway no matter what the gear.

 

6 out of the 9(1 apprentice) at my dealer build diffs. Honestly I have no idea how the dealers in the states are run but both Dodge dealers I've worked at have expected quite a bit from the techs. Diesels and transmissions are the only areas that we have specific techs doing 95% of the work in those areas. Other then that everyone is expected to do any job they're given or pack your **** up.

 

I agree with you totally and that is what I tried to work out with them, but they say for Chrysler to pay the bill they have to bill 3.55's to it. I can buy the 4.10's and they will put them in and give me a brand new set of 3.55 ring and pinion. I wouldn't mind doing that if the Mopar 4.10's cost 300-400 dollars, but 1000 is to steep.

Bill

 

You should check out Moes Performance gear prices...very reasonable and they have a set of Eaton Detroit Lockers...best in the land...and some others...a whole posi/limited slip set for 800$ for OUR trucks! Oh...and if the damage is inside the carrier...guarantee you they will HAVE to change the whole set! There will be chunks of peices and chips every where...I don't care what kind of rear end you have, lol!

 

Back when I was a dealer tech (early 80s) we always had at least 2 or 3 guys that did ring and pinions. I did ring and pinions, transmissions (when they were actually rebuilt at the dealer) and engines mostly but I also did driveabilty, alignments, wiring and everything else.

These days you generally have guys that do only one or two things, we were expected to be able to do anything on a car. But cars are a lot more complicated these days and 90% of repairs is swapping out parts/assemblies, there is very little 'fixing' of anything any more. Tools are expensive, systems are way more complex so I can see the logic of having people specialize in certain areas.

As far as the OP, if I had that many problems with any new car it would have been long gone. Life is too short to agonize over a car/truck, most likely you are going to take a big hit on it but get something you will be happier with if you can afford it.

 

if you have to, sell the 3:55's maybe go with 392's if i remember right they are like 600 for ring and pinion

 

am i the only one that thinks putting $1-2K into a truck that clearly has issues is insane. you will most certainly not have the 4:10 gears under LT warranty and with your luck, no offense, they will let go at the 366 mark...
i would start some serious documentation. although it doesn't look like you have any repeat issues that would merit a lemon exchange, maybe you'll get lucky soon.

 

You have hit upon some of the thoughts that are going through my head. I have all issues documented and the dealer/warranty have taken care of all issues. I have all my services done at the dealer to insure they have no leg to stand on saying that I didn't change this or that. I was about to pull the trigger on getting the rear end oil changed this next oil change, guess I am winning a free on now. Positive side of things.

I won't be putting anymore money into accessories or upgrades into this truck. I have a Challenger hood unpainted in the box, might sell it now. I don't want to drop the coin on the paint job now.

Bill