My Privateer Motorsports gear install by @Mattb813

They told me $882 for 5.29 with REM delivered to me.

Apparently, it was going to be missing needed items.

These guys are a joke.

 

Well damn I got charged for shipping...kinda sucks

 

I wouldn’t ask about re-using parts. Gears are expensive, don’t be cheap. Gear shops here are the same, no reputable shops re-use rear diff bearings on a new gear install. They laughed at me when I asked. Lol.

 

I had my nitros installed when my truck had 16k miles on it. I did master install kits front and rear. The shops ill talked to wouldn’t install without new parts.

 

when it comes to gears, I wouldn't go cheap imo.

 

Yep, don’t go cheap on gears. I’m at a complete loss, this is what my repair will cost. Rear repair was $480 +$200 remove and install, gear oil changed twice, gaskets and crush washers x2. Front will be $750 +$200 again for a total of $1630.00. That doesn’t include any of the expenses getting the gears to and from a shop, and vehicle down time. The gears were $1650.00 I believe lol. I’m lucky a local shop would fix, most don’t want to touch a botched install as a repair.

 

Yea won't be reusing parts, gonna do master kit in the rear and mini kit in the front, unless I can get both master kits with at a good price.
Hopefully @SC_TRD can share where he got his install kits lol

Honestly wish mattb813 had just told me that I should get the install kits too from the beginning, instead of telling me there was no need, pretty sure I would have just said no all together and bought elsewhere...

 

Luckily you were able to get it fixed but man first shop really screwed you, turned you over and screwed you some more. I'd really be angry, I'd be looking at all the possibilities to getting my money back from them if I were you...

 

I ordered from ECGS and got them on Black Friday sale. Ordered master kits for both. Front ended up being a Nitro kit, the rear ended up being a Yukon kit .

Also my Yukon kit was open box and my ring gear bolts were rusty.

not sure how big of a deal that is as I believe most people just wire wheel and reuse their old ones. I’d just go with the Nitro master kits, but they are expensive, I specifically waited for Black Friday to save some money.

I am right there with you @Ryuu. Would have been cheaper to get the Nitros gears and master install package. Clearly was not a good choice to go with this group buy!

EDIT: my install date is tomorrow, anyone think I should cancel because of these stupid rusty bolts? Or just head over in the morning and talk to them and make sure they feel confident in the parts I have?

 

I would take everything over and talk to them

 

Ya that’s what I was thinking.. too bad shop is an hour away. Fingers crossed ECGS gives me a discount after I already install them

 

I’m glad I waited.
@Vizsla responding in the initial thread was the reason I held off.
Thanks, Dave!!

Ended up going with Boss Offroad and got a Black Friday deal on Nitros.

5.29 4x4 everything needed plus a Powertrax Grip Pro
All shipped to my house for under $1600.

Now I just have to have time to get it installed.

 

WTH?

You should be ok if cleaning the bolts, but I would prefer new and shiny.

 

Oh hell no!! I paid $900 for front and rear REM 5.29s shipped to my house. And $1410 for the locker. You should get the front gears also for that amount or get half your money back.

 

Ya I was pissed, but then I saw the Nitro master kit doesn’t even include new bolts.. so it can’t be that big of a deal.

Also saw this in one of Zuks builds which shows that he just wire wheels the old ones.


Still angry they sent an open box though.. just shady.. don’t do that shit and charge full price

 

Same pricing for me

 

I’m scheduled for Friday and will more than likely pull the plug tomorrow and end up with the gears. What else do I need to get them installed elsewhere?

Any recommendations for install shop in SoCal?

 

Your going to need master install kits front and rear. Might be able to get away with the mini kit, but talk to the shop you plan on going to and see what they say. Some will insist on new bearings and also depends on your mileage. Looking back, I’d just go with the Nitro kits; tried and true.

Unfortunately, I am not sure about shops in SoCal.. definitely should be able to find something legit down there though.

 

That's where I got mine I think, from Darren

 

@papasmurf, @jc153, @osidepunker, these guys will know of SoCal installers

 

not the cheapest, but absolutely the best gear shop that I know of....

Pro Gear
7948 Ronson Rd, San Diego, CA 92111

Tell him Bruce sent you the guy with the snow camo long travel tundra

 

My pricing for 4.88 was 886 otd, REM, shipped to AZ

I passed

 

Ram Jet in San Fernando is the best in the San Fernando Valley

https://www.ramjetpro.com/contact-us

 

I second this. I’ve been using Pro Gear since the 90’s, first class gear shop.

 

There’s a place here inRiverside/Corona that I know a couple people have gotten the gears done at

 

C'mon Tony!! We need a name.

 

Haha sorry sorry I had a brain fart. I know the location but looking up the name now haha

 

Ok got the name lol

premier west gears in riverside.

 

Another recommendation for ProGear. Those guys know whats up. I live in Temecula and work in Moreno Valley and it was worth the drive.

I use them for CVs all the time and they did my front rear locker/gears install. Nitro sent me a bad set, had gear whine. Progear realized the serial number on them meant they were an older set known to have problems. They wrote a letter and took pics for me BEFORE they told me about the problem. Nitro sent me a new set and progear did the reinstall for $200

 

Now that is customer service. I would go them based on this singular review. That type of integrity is hard to find.