ordered the lockrite today, ordering 5.83s next week.  lookid into haveing someone else put the gears in $500 a set to instal!!  so i guess i will have to do it myself.... :-/  i did a search in the posts and article archive... nothing.  i want to do this right, any links, tips, help?  anything!  and can i use a feeler gauge to set backlash or do i have to buy a mic.?  thanks.

i would not try this if its your first time.  its it much harder to set up low gears than it is to set up higher gears.  I wouod let some one who knows do it but 500 beans sound like a rip off to me,  what does ever one else think???

stu

just get a chiltons service guide it helpes. its pritty easy i did it myself. also the lockers come with instructions follow them to the letter and you will be all right.

well seemed like a rip to me too.  would rather have someone else do it but looks like i am SOL.  i have a chiltons and a service manual.  do i need to buy anything else when doing this?  bearings, spacers or such?  i will prob put in new wheel bearing either way since i am pulling the ax.

Find someone cheaper! Even if you had to pay shipping I know you can beat that price. If you decide to do it yourself make sure you do some research as to how to do it. Ive set some up myself with mixed results.
On the upside you could afford to make at least one mistake for that price.  :-/ You could wreck a set, buy a second set and still be money ahead.

Mike

I agree with stu... this is not something for a first timer.  You spent a lot of money on the locker and gears, and I would hate to see them get destroyed because of an improper install.  Did you get more than one quote for the install  I'd call some local 4x shops and tell them you'll bring in the third members, so all's you need is the gear set up.  You can put the locker in yourself with the instructions, and then just put in together loose and take it somewhere to just finish it.  My 2 cents.
Brian

I kinda agree with mike its kinda a coin toss. could go good, could go bad. your best bet is to find someone with some experienceto do it for you. try pirate bbs lots of those guys know lots of those guys.......
good luck
jason

I'd call some local 4x shops and tell them you'll bring in the third members, so all's you need is the gear set up

 ya, i told them that and the quote was the $500!!  no 4x4 shops around that i know of (still looking)  mostly stock car guys.  i live where they have the natl.  thanks for the input so far all.  i have been sitting here since i posted (2 hrs) doing nothing but searching.... i have found 3 articles on how to do a GM and a ford.  so i hope that will help.  if you have any more ideas let me know  i have to work every day for the next 16 days so my research is going to be a bit limited....

If you don't know the difference between a mic and dial indicator, you might be in trouble. I've done quite a few setups between sami's and jeeps and the reason places charge so much is because it's time consuming. You may end up taking it apart 5 times before you get the pinion depth and backlash right. I'd have someone do it for you unless you practice on some junk yard swaps.
If you insist on doing it yourself here you go. http://www.izook.com/tech/samurai/drivetrain/ringandpinion/randpinstall.htm

Oh yeah make sure you follow the manufacturers break in directions. This step is just as important as setup.

Where do u live there my be someone on the forum that can make the drive to help u or u drive to them. still cheaper than $1000.

I'm changing the R&P's in mine and I considered doing it myself as I have the tools and the servise manual but talked a few people and decided I wanted it done right first time. As it turns out I've found a guy who's going to do it for me and replace the collapsible pinion shaft spacer with a solid spacer and shims so no loose pinion in the future and he will also replace a few Suzuki and ARB shims and bolts with better componentry at the same time to make it as good as it can be.  

What i did to make it cheaper ( I had some one do mine) was to just bring them the 3rd members.
150 bucks apiece for R&Pset-up and the installed my ARB (rear) too
They're probley quoting Removing and replacing the 3rds too..
Just a thought.

I have just installed an ARB in the front and I changed all the bearings at the same time while it was out ,

I had that a apart a lot of times to get it right and had it checked each time i adjusted it as the manual is only a guide as each pinon setting and back lash seems to be unique and it needs an element of experience to get it just right.
I wasnt easy and I wouldnt attempt the rear one as that has to do 70mph on the motorway.

You can always start them maybe strip it down get it some where near and then take it to the auto shop to be setup ...  Watch out for the spacer on the pinion once it has been overtightened its useless and at probably 50 dollors it might turn expensive.
but that needs setting before you install your carrier.

anyway enough rambling , $500 is cheap for piece of mind when out on the trail.

Watch out for the spacer on the pinion once it has been overtightened its useless  

Mmmmmm...... Solid spacer  

Mmmmmm...... Solid spacer  

i might have to look at that next time a diff erbuild comes up, not that i will do it myself, :_)