I am interested in getting some gears next spring/summer when my car comes back out but there are no places that can do installs. One place said they don't do Ford's because it requires a special tool. Another place quoted me at $750 for the install.

Could I just pay a normal mechanic? I don't want to do the job myself because I am a complete newb. I have only owned the car for about 3 months.

 

That's way too much for an install price! I've been quoted around $200 to get it done on my first Stang. Now I just do it myself. And there's no special tool. All simple hand tools.

 

That tool....is called a REAL mechanic.

Holy crap, talk about rape. Gear/Bearing install takes 3 hours tops. Anyone who takes longer doesn't have any reason to be touching your car.

 

So should I just pay a normal mechanic? I don't think I am experienced enough and I don't feel confident enough to do the install myself.

 

Don`t do it yourself. I paid $200 for my install. Most shops will charge $200-$400 around here. Make sure you take it to a good shop. Also, see what your local ford dealer will charge you. A friend of mine had his done at a ford dealer and they charged him $325. He supplied the gears, fluid, and installation/bearing kit. Just paid for labor. Not a bad price especially through the dealer.

 

But when you say shop, do you mean speed shop or just like a mechanic shop? There aren't any speed shops around here. The only things I can find are normal mechanics. I can call around and ask them.

 

750 is way too much.
all gear installs require a special tool to set the pinion height.
I am in the process of doing my own but I have my rearend at the shop where I work so I have access to indicators presses ext.
It would cost a lot to buy all that stuff just shop around you will find a better deal.

 

All that would be needed besides hand tools is a dial indicator and they're like $30.

 

You still need to set your pinion height, should be a set dimm from the centerline of the diff to the top of the pinion.

 

WOW 750..... tell them to at least use some lubricant. I just had my rear end completely rebuilt with new spider gears and bushings and i paid 650.00. $250 for the gear swap, the rest was fixing the other stuff.