My 02 posi w/ 3.73's just blew in my LT1. Gears look fine but posi is done!. Metal chunks in housing and metal attached to diff cover magnet.

Cant afford a shop to do it.
Any tips on setting up gears...Im reinstalling my old 2 series carrier with
2.73's? (I was told I just have to match my old pattern in the gears, which can go both ways in difficulty).
Any absolutely crucial tools to have?
Unfortunately I have to do it on my back but do have a good knowledge of rear ends and concepts so Im not walking blindly and just guessing.

 

if it has the original gears on the carrier it should bolt in easily with only backlash adjusments. get a new pinion seal. a dial indicator with a base should work great. you can do turning torque by feel if you have an idea where it should be. experience helps there. extra carrier shims are helpfull. you can buy them cheap, by a book and read it ten times. big sockets and impact for pinion. torque wrench. good luck

 

If one uses an old set gears like in my case that were once in my car, what happens if one does not get the same pattern as before? Is it even possible?
(I just picked a dial indicator)- I know its needed.

 

I set up my 4.10s myself and yes you can get the pinion depth off causing the pattern to be wrong. Unless, is your pinion shims/bearing still on the pinion? If so you will just need a new crush coller, pinion seal, nut. (if you still have the factory carrier shims).

My question is why would you put a used 2.73 gear back in? Why not get a 3.73 gear for the 2-series carrier? Maybe it is just me but nothing other than a 3.73 or higher will go back in my car.