D 30 Gear Swap

I have a question about swaping gears from a D 27 to a D 30, can it be done? Does it need to be done? The reason being I have 5.38's and want to keep them.
This may be a stupid question but I am still learning :? What is the relationship between the gears in the axles and the gears in the transfercase? Another stupid question.

 

I think what I meant is you have axle ratios and don't you also have a ratio with the transfercase?

 

Do they make 5.38's for the D 30?

 

Yes - check Randy's Ring and Pinion. http://www.ring-pinion.com/products/product.asp

 

Thanks Tim

 

Yes I ordered mine through 4 whell parts wholesalers. About $180 IIRC

 

should I have them installed or do it myself? I know there are a lot of clearence issues.

 

I guess it depends on your mechanical ability, and the tools you have at your disposal. I think it's more time consuming than difficult. If you research the web you'll find articles about setting them up. Youl'll need assorted bearing pullers, dial indicators, torque wreneches. When you buy your gears you'll need to get an installation kit. The kit should come with new bearings, shims, seals, gear marking compound etc.

The biggest pain I think is the backlash setting. Taking those bearings off the carrier to swap shims around is a !@#$ing headache. In the end you need the proper pinion preload, backlash, and gear pattern. And all these different settings will have an affect on each other when changed. I just did the front and rear on my jeep a couple of months ago (first time ever) and it took me about 6 hours each one, but it was worth the experience of doing it.