Recommended shop to install lockers / gears in SLC area??

[I Lean]

Plenty of other local installers have the case spreaders Any they often get made for much cheaper than $250. Now whether or not they use them or not is a different questions, something a potential customer should always ask when working on a vehicle that requires one (No Toyota's need them for example). However I can assure you many of the local long-time installers have them.

Yeah, Teraflex Plus has one. It's the one I looked at to copy when I wanted to make one.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Yeah, Teraflex Plus has one. It's the one I looked at to copy when I wanted to make one.

Yours is one of the "less than $250" I was referring too

 

[radjeeper]

That is very good to hear Carl, and Kurt I am sure you are right. However, I interviewed a potential hire that was the lead teach at a shop and he did most of their gear installs (hundreds of them) and NEVER used one. Some say you don't need one (as did he) and others insist that you do. That's my point. There is a lot more to a proper gear and/or locker install than many even agree upon. For example, it is said that a Dana 60 should have pre-load on the carrier bearings to help prevent spinning a bearing. This can only be done properly with a case spreader, but hardly anyone does it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Carrier bearing preload is a bit ambiguous in the case of Toyotas (I don't claim to know a think about Dana style axles cause I don't touch them ). Toyota factory service manuals instruct and call for very little carrier bearing pre-load, yet some reputable installers call for somewhere in the 150-250 ft-lbs. I guess at the end of the day you have to trust in the experience of your installer and their willingness to warranty and back up any work they do. I too have seen some nasty installs, ground pinion gears, ARB lines in the wrong side of the diff, worse yet ARB lines in the bottom of the diff. Any potential customer should really investigate the shop they are considering doing the work. Specialty service tools like a case spreader or Toyota spanner nut tools should be asked about, beyond asking if they have them, ask them if they use them

 

[mbryson]

..... For example, it is said that a Dana 60 should have pre-load on the carrier bearings to help prevent spinning a bearing. This can only be done properly with a case spreader, but hardly anyone does it.

Not to detract from the thread, but I'm curious about this. I don't do gears a lot because I don't have the right tools to do it easily. How do you preload the carrier bearings and measure that? Is the preload the .003 shims you put in each side when you're done setting up the pattern?

I'd assume a case spreader would be nice in this situation (I've never used one) but I've had no issues with using a dead blow hammer and a block of wood or similar (might not be a good idea with some ARB designs and that might be yours/ARB's point).

 

[I Lean]

Not to detract from the thread, but I'm curious about this. I don't do gears a lot because I don't have the right tools to do it easily. How do you preload the carrier bearings and measure that? Is the preload the .003 shims you put in each side when you're done setting up the pattern?

I'd assume a case spreader would be nice in this situation (I've never used one) but I've had no issues with using a dead blow hammer and a block of wood or similar (might not be a good idea with some ARB designs and that might be yours/ARB's point).

Yes to the above. Assuming you have everything pretty much tight before you start, then add the additional shims at the end, that's where your preload comes from. If you have a case spreader, you can measure how far you've spread the case (being careful not to go too far, you can easily ruin a casting) before letting everything squish into place. You can also measure the rolling resistance of the carrier, if you care that much. (I don't....just go by feel there)

 

[utahmxracer]

Friends don't let friends go to Six States. In fact the only reason I joined this site is to warn everyone about Six States. My experience with them in the past was awesome and I still think they do a good job mechanically, but their customer service is lacking. I asked Eric three f'ning times how much it was going to cost me to do a simple job and when I arrived to pick up my jeep the cost was almost double! I was so pissed off. I got three other bids from other shops that were close to his original bid so I figured I would use them. What a mistake! If you use them, get everything in writing. Ask them for a print out so you will have everything in detail what you will be charged for.

 

[Greg]

Friends don't let friends go to Six States. In fact the only reason I joined this site is to warn everyone about Six States. My experience with them in the past was awesome and I still think they do a good job mechanically, but their customer service is lacking. I asked Eric three f'ning times how much it was going to cost me to do a simple job and when I arrived to pick up my jeep the cost was almost double! I was so pissed off. I got three other bids from other shops that were close to his original bid so I figured I would use them. What a mistake! If you use them, get everything in writing. Ask them for a print out so you will have everything in detail what you will be charged for.

The Six States in Orem has to be one of the best gear shops in Utah, they saved my ass multiple times, in a timely manner and usually at a great price. I understand your frustration with the named individual, but be careful dragging an entire business thru the mud. I'd trust Kevin and Kent at the Orem store with any axle/gear project I've ever had and the guys at the front desk have always been great to work with, never any surprises.

 

[GEEPAHOLIC]

i did my gears myself due to lack of money and i went into six states in orem and the gave me a crash corse and a whole bunch of shims for free plus a spec sheet ! i'd recomend them to any and every one good people make a good biz .

 

[chans]

I had to get a drive line fixed with a new yoke and U-joint and the Six States in SLC charged me about 50.00 less then they quoted me when I picked it up. Six States is awsome. Where else can you go to get any Dana/Spicer part and have them in stock? Maybe they ran into problems with your gear install and had to put in new bearings or something.

 

[mbryson]

I had to get a drive line fixed with a new yoke and U-joint and the Six States in SLC charged me about 50.00 less then they quoted me when I picked it up. Six States is awsome. Where else can you go to get any Dana/Spicer part and have them in stock? Maybe they ran into problems with your gear install and had to put in new bearings or something.

That about sums up my experience there. I've had good service there.

 

[sixb]

Sounds like a crap shot lol! I have nothing but great experiences with Advanced 4wd and the SL six states. Randy's pricing seems to be better though.

 

[Bear T]

Eric has always been awesome to work with for me. And Kevin in Orem has always been a huge help in a jam. I don't trust Orem SixStates for driveline work though.

 

[rondo]

I had rollover motorsports put in the ARBs/ring pinion in my 60s in Mar09, and i've since driven the rig to El Paso Fort Bliss TX from Utah. Been wheeling several times too since then and they are still going. I feel the price was right and i'm very happy with them.