Hey guys, going to be ordering my 3.73's next month and was wondering what gear install kit from Thunder (Ratech kit) I should be getting:

Complete Kit: Includes pinion shims, carrier shims, crush sleeve, pinion seal, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, cover gasket, and pinion & carrier bearings

Deluxe Kit: Includes pinion shims, carrier shims, crush sleeve, pinion seal, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, cover gasket, pinion & carrier bearings, PLUS wheel bearings and seals. (All of the small parts and pieces necessary to RESTORE an axle to like new condition!)

The difference is about $40 bucks... what are your recommendations?

Also, I'm trying to decide between the Motive and the Richmond gears... I know the Motives are quieter due to the angled cut gears as opposed to the straight cut Richmonds, but don't know if the strength difference will be worth the noise... it ain't a daily drive tho so

 

go for the deluxe.. thats what I did anyway.. with a solid pinion spacer.. never hurts to put in all new stuff..

I have heard good things about motives but am running richmonds myself.. as for them running quiet.. its all in the install, the better the install the quieter the gears.. find someone who takes their time and does alot of them..

 

ttt

 

Go with genuine GM gears (OEM). Why buy noisey gears? If it's strength you want, get a 12 bolt.JMHO

 

ttt

Any disadvantage to running the solid pinion spacer? I'm ordering sometime this week

 

I think its only disadvantage is a harder install. It could take a few tries to get the right pinion preload by taking shims away from it, but other than that i like it
Brandon