Rear axle swap or Gear swap

[greenheadkiller]

Have not deiced which to do yet. I know there is a lot of work to swap out the whole rear end, but how much work does it take to just change the diff gears.
Does it have to be done in a shop? any special gauging to put it in. Have never worked on a rear before.

Also Factory sticker on the door said R-8 that meaning 8" rear Correct. Just making sure.

 

[tonydiv]

Actually, if you've never set up a ring and pinion before, it may be easier (and provide better results) if you were to swap out the entire rear exle assembly.

But...

If you don't want to do it yourself, it would be cheaper to have a shop set up your new gears than to have them swap out the whole rear end.

 

[greenheadkiller]

Though I was getting a rear end this morning. Called the junk yard in Toledo, Oh and they say they have one that is going to fit. Well I drove the 45 min there and they point me to where the SUV section was and I go and look and find only 3 Exp in the lot and all 3 end are gone. I was so pi$$ed. I guess they do not keep to good of an eye on their inventory! Back to looking again.

Anyone know of a rear end within a 100 miles of me. 98 5.4 H-6 3.73 8" rear.
If I have to pull it myself that is fine.