If I want to replace the ring and pinion ONLY in my rear axle, what is the absolute minimum I need to do in order to not burn anything up?
I already have my front diff rebuilt with 4.88s. Doing a SAS next summer sometime but want to have 4.88s in the meantime. I already have the gears for the rear axle. I don't want to replace bearings/seals or anything because they're all good and I'll be switching to a full floater next year. Also leaving in the factory G80 carrier.
Can I just remove the carrier, unbolt the old ring gear and install the new one, install the new pinion, put the shims on the same sides as how they came off, check the pattern, and go if the pattern is good? If the pattern is not good, can I just adjust pinion depth/backlash and then go?
Trying to avoid wasting $500 on this axle if this is semi-doable myself.