As found in the May 1998 issue of
Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine
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Sick of grind? (And we don't mean the weekly 40.) Well, that's the purpose of this buyer's guide: To help you find the right gears for your vehicle so you can rid yourself of the grind. Think of it as the automotive world's way of sending your 4x4 to the dentist. Replace those toothless gears that slow you down in the chunky stuff, or maybe just swap in the gearing you've been meaning to run. If you're interested in gears, this is where you'll find them.
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THE GEAR
The Gear is an automotive drivetrain parts and service specialty shop. Among the products available from The Gear are ring-and-pinion sets, complete differentials, spools, axels, transmissions, transfer cases, third members, housings, and prepackaged installation kits for differentials, transmissions, and transfer cases. Information: The Gear, Dept. 4WOR, 5318 Hawthorne Dr., Waco, TX 76710, 888/753-5584.
WEST COAST DIFFERENTIALS
West Coast Differentials carries a complete line of bearing installation kits. The company uses only American-made Timken bearings, which are guaranteed to last. Also available is a wide variety of ring-and-pinion sets including OE replacements and name-brand aftermarket versions. Information: West Coast Differentials, Dept. 4WOR, 11235-F Coloma Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, 800/446-0950.
DRIVE TRAIN SPECIALISTS
Drive Train Specialists announces its own line of American-made ring-and-pinion gearsets. The new gears are machined from 8620 steel forgings. Gearsets are available for 81 different applications including American Motors, Chrysler 8 1/4-, 8 3/4-, and 9 1/4- inch, Dana 28, 30, 44, and 60, Ford 7.5-, 8.8-, and 9- inch, and GM 7.5-, 7.625-, 8.2-, 8.5- inch, IFS, and 12-bolt axels. Information: Drive Train Specialists, Dept. 4WOR, 26400 Groesbeck Hwy., Warren, MI 48089, 800/521-0628.
REIDER RACING
The new GM 8 ½-inch Torsen T-2 limited-slip differential is now available from Reider Racing. The T-2 is a fulltime all-gear-drive, torque-sensing, torque-biasing unit. Torque and differentiation are continuously managed between the two axels and instantly biased. The all-gear design operates smoothly without the worry and wear of clutches or preload. The T-2 is available for 28- and 30-spline axels with oversize journals for increased durability. Information: Reider Racing Ent. Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 12351 Universal Dr., Taylor MI 48180, 734/946-1330.
CALMINI
Calmini Products now offers ring-and-pinion upgrades for Suzuki Samurais and Sidekicks and Geo Trackers. Available in 4.57:1, 5.43:1, and 5.83:1 ratios, these gears bolt in without modifications. Kits come complete with ring-and-pinion gears and detailed instructions. Information: Calmini Products, Dept. 4WOR, 6600-B McDivett Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93313, 800/345-3305.
RING & PINION SERVICE
Ring & Pinion Service offers OE and aftermarket ring-and-pinion sets in virtualy and ratio for domestic trucks made from 1955 to the present, plus Toyotas. The company also offers a complete line of two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive installation kits for more than 300 applications, as well as new and rebuilt differentials, all of which are assembled in-house using American-made parts. Information: Ring & Pinion Service, Dept. 4WOR, 11630 Airport Rd., Ste. 300, Everett, WA 98204-3752, 800/347-1188.
NATIONWIDE TRUCK PARTS
Nationwide Truck Parts announces the availability of bolt-in Dana 60 rearends for all makes of ½ ton trucks. These assemblies feature all-new components, including custom housings with correct brackets, 35-spline axels, Spicer gears, limited-slip differentials or lockers, and custom housings to retain the original brakes and wheels. Information: Nationwide Truck Parts, Dept. 4WOR, 1900 Chicago Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49509, 800/471-9000.
TRUCK PERFORMANCE CENTER
Truck Performance Center offers the complete line of ring-and-pinion sets, spider gears, differentials, seals, installation packs, and other parts for Midwest Motive Gear. Applications are available for most vehicles in a wide selection of ratios to set up your four-wheel drive for maximum torque throughtout its rpm range. Information: Truck Performance Center, Dept. 4WOR, 23192-K Alcalde Ave., Laguna Hills, CA 92653, 800/719-8100, Web site www.truckperformance.com.
4WHEEL PARTS WHOLESALER
A large selection of Genuine Gear products, including one-piece axel kits for ‘76 - ‘86 Jeep CJ-5s and -7s with AMC Model 20 rearends, is available at 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers. Axel kits feature zerc-fitted bearing collars that have been tapered to reduce bearing wear. Replacement axels and bearing kits for Ford, GM, and Toyota trucks are also available. Information: Call 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers at 800/421-1050 for the nearest location.
DYNATRAC
Dynatrac now offers a wide selection of gears, differentials, and other axel components for your Jeep or four-wheel drive truck. The staff at Dynatrac can help you select the best gear ratio, locker, or axel for your particular needs. Replacement parts and complete custom frontend and rearend assemblies are also available. Information: Dynatrac Products Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 7236 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683, 714/898-5228, Web site www.dynatrac.com.
PRECISION GEAR
Precision Gear offers the Power-Lok performance differential for Dana 44 and Dana 60 axels. With its two-piece construction and four-pinion spider gears, this limited-slip differential is said to provide more than double the strength of a standard open differential. The Power-Lok is available to fit Dana 44s with either 19 or 30 splines and Dana 60s with 30 or 35 splines in all ratios. Information: Precision Gear, Dept. 4WOR, 12351 Universal Dr., Taylor, MI 48180, 734/946-0524.
DANA/SPICER
Dana/Spicer has a large selection of ring-and-pinion sets available for most applications. Information: Spicer Axel Division, Dana Corp., Dept. 4WOR, P.O. Box 1209, Fort Wayne, IN 46801, 219/483-7174.
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This is information that I found in the May 1998 issue of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine. If you are interested in subscribing to the most informative 4x4 magazine, call...
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