TrueTrac install. Pro install or not?

[Captain Starbucks]

I've decided to buy the Detroit Truetrac and am just wondering whether or not I should do the install myself. I have never seen the inside of a differential but I do have a decent mechanical background and I'm the kind of guy that would rather buy the right tools and keep them when I'm done vs. paying someone I don't know to fiddle with my truck.

If I do decide to do it myself, can anyone give me a tool list? (ring pullers, magnetic mount dial indicator, etc) and a step-by-step guide?

If I don't do it myself, I'm probably going to be forced to buy it local just because most shops won't install parts they didn't sell. So that means my project just cost me a total of $300-$400 more with installation.

Thanks for any info guys, I appreciat it.

Rob

[lifewitlooie]

I am pretty sure you need a Micrometer, some hammers. an extra set of hands, something to knock bearings on and off with. I helped someone do it in a Jeep. I think It can be done yourself if you follow the directions to a tee. You have to put paint on the gears and adjust the shims to make sure the gears are meshing correctly or you WILL ruin them.

[3ddiver]

I would recommend taking it to a shop. You are going to need some special tools to do it right and you are talking about a pretty fair investment to buy them. If you have a good grip on mechanical skills you can probably do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself let me know and I will get you specs and a list of tools.

[DCSpecial]

Changing just the carrier isn't too bad.

If you measure from the flange where the bearing rides to the flange where the ring gear bolts on the truetrac and the stocker and compare the two you should be able to adjust the shim stock to get the proper backlash on the first try or two.

Backlash and mesh pattern have to be good or you'll have issues with the ring and pinion and premature failure.

And be sure to use loctite on the ring gear bolts when you torque them down.

[stockcar12]

We do all of our rearends in our racecars and I recommend taking it to a shop. If you do it and its not right the gears will howl and premature come apart! costing you more in the long run. remember there are a lot of moving parts in the rearend and if just one of then brakes it can take out the whole thing axles and all

good luck
john

[Captain Starbucks]

Thanks guys. I'm still on the fence. The local off road shop can do it for $200 and they highly recommend the install kit with bearings and everything too. I know it's the right way to go, it's just starting to look like it's going to run more like $1k out the door. That's a lot for a posi. The rear end has 100k miles on it. New bearings couldn't hurt but probably aren't needed yet.

The thing with the local shop is that I talked to the guy who would be doing the work and he'd never installed a truetrac. My logic was me thinking I've been an airplane mechanic for a looooong time. There's a good chance I can do this better than the guy at the shop. I can't get the same warranty if I blow something up though.

3ddiver, can I get the list of tools? Not the basics, just the fancy stuff please....

thanks again guys.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

honestly i would take it to a shop... doesnt have to be that shop.... around here they charge anywhere from 250- 500 for a LS or locker install....

how much are they giving you the tru trac for? you might be able to negotiate on the price if they do the labor

[Cj Ford]

I posted the pics you wanted ... you need the basic hand tools and then

1)good torque wrench
2)dial indicator with mag base recommended
3)you will need something to press the bearings on the carrier with (I dont ever reuse bearings remember they have the mileage of the truck on them and they are cheap so get new carrier bearings).. most shops will do the bearing press for cheap.. and every tractor repair shop will also have a press

take measurements of backlash on the stock set up make note of it .. I find usually the shims go right back where they were when stock and you will still be within spec from the factory.. people are often intimidated to do this but its simple.. and the most expensive tool is the torque wrench.. most mechanical people have those already ... If you have ANY Q's gimme a shout as I have dont lots of rear ends full floaters, semi floaters and a hand full of c-clip pieces of shiat as well... always glad to help

[Captain Starbucks]

Raul, most places around here charge about $300 for the install. I'm just the type of guy who NEVER takes a vehicle in to get fixed unless it is absolutely out of my hands. I figure I might as well try and learn something for next time...But I want to be well informed. The best price I've seen so far is Summit. I'd much rather order it from you though.

Cj Ford, thanks again for reposting the pics. I can source all of the tools. Did you get an install kit with the carrier bearings or just get the p/n off the side of the removed bearings?

Rob

[Cj Ford]

I ordered carrier bearings and races from the local NAPA and the ring/crown gear bolts from a local speed shop... remember the pinion stays in, you dont pull it out for a simple carrier swap.. I would say if you were doing a gear swap and have never done it then maybe take it in since you will be getting indepth a little more adding pinion depth etc...