Used gears?

88 Fox GT

Active Member

Nov 18, 2002

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Iowa

Jul 25, 2005

#1

• Jul 25, 2005

• #1

Would you ever buy a good looking set of used rear end gears? I want to get a set of 3:55s for my GT. The are selling for like $20-$30 on eBay. I'm 17 and on a low budget and want more gear, tell me what to do.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jul 25, 2005

#2

• Jul 25, 2005

• #2

Are you installing them yourself? If so, that is the only way I would consider it. Even then, I lump used gears (unless you are buying an entire rear end - like out of a manual TC, which has 3.55's) into things like used clutches and used underwear - I would try not to use them.

Plenty of people have used, used gears. I just would be hesitant to take a chance.

Good luck with the decision.

 

88 Fox GT

Active Member

Nov 18, 2002

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Iowa

Jul 25, 2005

#3

• Jul 25, 2005

• #3

HISSIN50 said:

Are you installing them yourself? If so, that is the only way I would consider it. Even then, I lump used gears (unless you are buying an entire rear end - like out of a manual TC, which has 3.55's) into things like used clutches and used underwear - I would try not to use them.

Plenty of people have used, used gears. I just would be hesitant to take a chance.

Good luck with the decision.

Click to expand...

Yes, I plan on rebuilding the trac lok and install the gears myself. Whenever I may decide to do all of this, I will do it all in one shot. Just considering saving nearly $100 buying a good looking used set.

 

slo65

New Member

May 26, 2003

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Southern California

Jul 25, 2005

#4

• Jul 25, 2005

• #4

i have used gears in my car, guy had them, then went to 4.56's a month later, had about 1k miles on them, looked like new, no problems, just make sure you can inspect them beforehand

 

crazypete

All my crevices are greased.

Oct 22, 2004

930

4

18

Arlington, MA

Jul 25, 2005

#5

• Jul 25, 2005

• #5

If the teeth on the gears are not scored, they are good as new. That is some seriously hard hard metal that gears are made from. Make sure the auction has a good close-up of them. Buy used FMS gears since you dont need to reshim FMS gears as they have the exact same pinion depth as factory on all of their gears. No other brand can say that. With FMS gears, hammer em in reusing the crush sleeve(dozens of guides on the net but they will all be a bit paranoid about shimming) then slowly work the pinion nut in (the used one too) until you feel a tiny bit of drag on the pinion flange when trying to wiggle it. You're money at this point. If it howls a bit on decel, give it half a turn on the pinion nut and try again. Took me one adjustment to install gears like this my first time.

 

QDRHRSE

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Dec 31, 2002

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Palmdale, CA

Jul 25, 2005

#6

• Jul 25, 2005

• #6

When I was younger I was in the same situation financially, used parts, like gears, seemed like the way to go. It's a 50/50 bet that something will go wrong. If you install them yourself it's more like 80/20. I try not to buy used "moving" parts at all. When it comes to gears I would only buy new unless they came out of a car that was owned by a family member....like your grandma. If you don't have the money to gamble then I would strongly recommend not buying a used ring and pinion.

 

Daniel50

New Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Discovery Bay, CA

Jul 25, 2005

#7

• Jul 25, 2005

• #7

i bought 3.73 take offs. a lot of guys with trucks will get a lift with big tires and have to get a different gear.

 

mustangjoe87

Member

Jul 23, 2004

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Harrison Twp., Michigan

Jul 25, 2005

#8

• Jul 25, 2005

• #8

i have a used set of 3.73's from a bronco. look fine to me

 

S

Scorcher2005

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Apr 17, 2004

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South Carolina

Jul 25, 2005

#9

• Jul 25, 2005

• #9

i just bought my set of used 3.73s from ebay. all the teeth were fine and all. i then had the shop to put them on and they said they couldnt get them set up very well due to the shaft on the pinion gear. It was worn and what ever they press onto it wouldnt stay on. So i had them order me new 4.10s

 

Car RamRod

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Mar 30, 2005

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Queens, NYC

Jul 25, 2005

#10

• Jul 25, 2005

• #10

I put used gears into my car when I went 5lug. Wasnt too hard to do, but my father helped me a bit. the 3.55s made a huge difference over the old 2.73s. Nothing like burning rubber in second.

 

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!

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Jan 14, 2001

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Jul 25, 2005

#11

• Jul 25, 2005

• #11

Avoid used gears. Do it right, buy new.

 

88 Fox GT

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Nov 18, 2002

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Iowa

Jul 25, 2005

#12

• Jul 25, 2005

• #12

Thanks for all the replies. crazypete, I'm with you on saying that the gears are made from some seriously hard metal. I just feel that rear gears don't wear as quickly as other parts on a car. Rear end gears are one of the only moving parts that I would ever consider buying used.

What do you think about these gears?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tegory=33731&item=7988051550#ebayphotohosting

 

crazypete

All my crevices are greased.

Oct 22, 2004

930

4

18

Arlington, MA

Jul 25, 2005

#13

• Jul 25, 2005

• #13

They look ok, and for $20 its a steal. I would think the shipping would cost more than the gears at that point.

Remember that it's the install thats the big PITA, not the parts acquisition in this case.

 

Car RamRod

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Mar 30, 2005

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Queens, NYC

Jul 25, 2005

#14

• Jul 25, 2005

• #14

It took me about 2 hours to pull the old gears and put my (used) 3.55s in, and I changed a few seals while I was there. But I used ford 3.55s if it helps.