Changing rear end gear ratios.

JasonG

Well-known member
Question for the folks on here.
I'm truck shopping and I've found a few late 90s-early 2000s that I like, except for the rear end gear ratios.
In a Volvo VNL, how hard is it to swap the ring and pinion?
Is it a drop in like a Ford 9" or does it require careful shimming?
Would an axle swap be easier?

Thanks in advance.
 

Truck Shop

Well-known member
Question for the folks on here.
I'm truck shopping and I've found a few late 90s-early 2000s that I like, except for the rear end gear ratios.
In a Volvo VNL, how hard is it to swap the ring and pinion?
Is it a drop in like a Ford 9" or does it require careful shimming?
Would an axle swap be easier?

Thanks in advance.
Those are drop-in style rears, not all that hard to change out. What transmission and what gear ratios for final drive are you looking at.

Truck Shop
 

JasonG

Well-known member
I'm seeing lots of super 10s and 10 speeds.
I'm guessing the final drive is around .73-.78 ?
I'll only be hauling around 20K lbs so I'm not worried about going to step on the ratio.

For a drop in rear is it basically:

Pop diff cover
Remove clips
Slide out axles
Remove what looks like main bearing caps
Remove carrier
Reverse ^
 

Truck Shop

Well-known member
Personally I would go with a 10 speed C. It has the low 1st gear with an over drive top gear. As far as the rears there will be no rear cover, the axles are
full floating. No Clips. Put a small drip pan in the wheel and under the hub, remove the 8 nuts and washers. Next slide the axles out. Remove the drive line
and interlock air line. Drain rear end and use a rear drive jack one that is made for truck rear drives. Attach it to the rear end, some attach to the yoke.
Remove the bolts that hold the drive to the rear housing. Pry rear end loose and remove. Install in reverse. Use Napa's the Right Stuff as sealer.

Truck Shop
 
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