Rebuilding 12 bolt rearend (1/2 ton)

[80stepsideguy]

Decided to try n attempt to rebuild this 12 bolt rearend i got.I am going to put a locker in it and a new set of gears.I got to ask, is there any tips or tricks i should know of when putting in a set of gears and a locker? What tools do i need I think i can do this i dont think its all that hard.Its not like a transmission.

thanks
pat

[VileZambonie]

An inch lb dial torque wrench is a must. A pinion depth tool. Gear marking compound. Assorted shims. Installation kit. I can walk you through the rest. Personally I'd gow with a limited slip over a locker.

[joesgarage71]

I use the old pinion bearing for getting the pinion shims right, use one of those sanding cylinders to enlarge the inside of the bearing race, so it will slide on and off the new pinion. Makes it easy to add or subtract shims.
 When you disassy. keep your case shims separated(side to side) for reassy. good starting point. You have the manuals I sold you to go by.
 Yea limited slip as Vile said, get a dial indicator with a Magnetic base. One problem you might have is the bolt that holds the pin for spider gears, it breaks and makes taking out the axles tough. I have broke that bolt before and had to drive the pin out with a drift and 20# slege hammer just to get the axles to push in and get the c clips out.
Trannys are just as easy Lol.

[VileZambonie]

There's a kit to help get the broken pin bolt that works fairly nice.

http://www.fabbriassociates.com/kitinfo.html