cost for getting 3.73's ?

[Lincolnmania]

you can do this yourself, but you will need some tools
it can be done cheaply if you use used gears and trac lock
lets run down the cheap road......this path requires tools and time (time is money people lol)
used 3.73 gears.......they came in explorers and rangers.......usually 50 tops at the self serve places
trac lock from a 28 spline 8.8 rear......usually 50 tops at the self serve places
bearings and seals.......around 130 for all
trac lock rebuild kit......around 70 bucks
gear oil 20 bucks for 2 qts of synthetic

[gadget73]

Difference between installing a 3.73 open and a 3.73 traction lock is the cost of the traction lock unit itself. There really isn't any significant difference otherwise. It takes the same work to install an assembled traction lock as it does to install an open carrier, so theres no labor atvantage. The thing is though, if you pay someone to do an open rear, then decide to have a traction lock done later it will end up costing you twice for the job.

[1987cp]

Excellent point ... if you're looking at a grand, an extra $200-250 for a brand new Ford Racing trak-lok isn't a huge amount more. I got one used for $75, but had to obtain two extra clutches for the eight-clutch mod separately, and I'm still shopping for the gears I want to install along with it (I'm allergic to the idea of figuring it all out and getting covered in gear lube, only to go through it all again a year or two later). The slight shock for me was that I apparently have to buy a $30 shim kit to make sure all the gears are oriented correctly when the new center goes in.

[Lincolnmania]

shims come with the bearing kit for the center section mikey

[1987cp]

Well, it was some sort of kit that I hadn't counted on having to spend extra money on. Therefore, my new center is still just sitting in the basement!

[merc91]

hmm well i though it costed more for labour with posi... substancially more. but i never actually new, so i see that it looks like a one shot deal with posi is the way to go instead of two seperate jobs.

thanks, andy

[1987cp]

I could see probably an hour or two labor charge at $50-$100US per hour if you're having an old Trak-Lok rebuilt, plus maybe $100-$150US parts unless the shop is gouging you. If you buy a new or known good one, the only difference in installation should be just getting the S-spring back in there. Supposing $200US plus $100US in parts to rebuild an old Trak-Lok that you'll spend up to $100US acquiring in the first place, it'd be cheaper spending about $250US on a brand-new unit from Ford Racing.