rear end shop

[youngin69nova]

looking for a good rear end shop to install a set of gears and posi for my 69 nova does anyone know of anywhere located near tacoma wa

[JRChevy]

Uhh. I lived in Tacoma for 25 years and always had a friend or myself do my diff gear setups. I am not familiar with anyone retail in the Tacoma area?(I know there are some but?) I'll ask my Dad and see if he can come up with a reliable place you can take it to.

Other than that? I know that these guys are a ways from you (about 45 mins) but they are EXCELLENT! Northwest Differentials (http://www.dexonline.com/servlet/ActionServlet?pid=bizProfile&businessRecordID=1psohb4v9or0huiri6gs2jhdmq&headingID=3909&incr=1&last10Saved=true&resultForm=BASIC)

Randys Ring & Pinion (http://www.ring-pinion.com/) is up this way too but unless you have an open pocket book $$$$, I'd find someone else first.

[Bscman]

I've done a fair amount of business with Randy's...
I can't complain about their service at all--they've always helped me decide what would work the best for my situation, as well as go out of their way to make things right if you have a problem. Very knowledgable staff.

I haven't found their prices to be too bad...in fact, the last eaton posi I purchased through them was actually a few $ cheaper than summit and they had it in stock, and even put on the new ring gear for me before I wrote the check and left the coutner.

[The_Dude]

I just ordered gears and a complete rebuild kit from Randy's.

[youngin69nova]

how much do you think randy's would be for 3.73 and a posi unit installed and including the parts if i were to buy from them

[Bscman]

Why not just open the phone book and start calling your local shops?
The better business bureau is a good place to check for complaints if the shops you find seem a bit shady.

You may find some shops won't even install the parts unless you purchase the parts from them. Otherwise, they will tell you up front there will be no warrantee.

FWIW, plan on $550-650 for an okay set of gears, an aftermarket posi, and install kit (bearings/races/shims). Add labor, probably $150-250 for the tech and you're done.

If you call Randy's you can ask if they have any stock posi carriers for your application (they deal with some used stuff) and you'll get it done for less.
Also, look around ebay or swap meets.

I bought my 8.5 GM Posi carrier at the monroe swap meet a few years ago for $36. I tore it down, inspected and cleaned, and put it back together just like I found it, but with some more pre-load on the clutches and a new S-spring. Total investement ~$60

New carrier bearings, set of shims, 90wt, etc put me up to about $100 installed for my posi. I re-couped $40 for selling my open carrier on ebay.
So far it's help up to 2 years of fairly aggressive driving w/o any problems...and with the added pre-load it's a LOT stiffer than most stock gm posi's I've dealt with.

[Seattle_Mike]

I would highly recommend Bill Scribner in Kent, WA. He builds rear ends etc. for a living and is as meticulous a welder & machinest I've ever seen. His rates are very reasonable and I would never hesitate recommending him.
Here's a link to his web page: http://www.scribnerwelding.com/home.html