Is it as simple as removing the axles and swapping carriers? Never really been into one of these rearends, looking at my options. I have a 2.77 rearend now and I'd like to put 3.45 gears in it. Thanks guys

Will

 

You have to swap the Pinion gear as well but yes its basically that simple. Take the axles out, unbolt the 2 series carrier and pull it out...unbolt the pinion and knock it out.. and install your 3 series gears and pinion of choice. Warning however...if you have never set up gears before i would have a shop do it since your going to be dealing with pinion bearing preload and shiming the carrier and pinion to get the tooth contact correct. Also if your already in there you might as well check the posi and if it needs to be tightened or not. No sense in going in their twice. Do it all the first time and be done with it.

By the time all is said and done it might just be easier to find a 3:45 rear already assembled and ready to run...but then again i have NEVER seen a 9 bolt by this time that does not need to be pulled apart and reshimmed to be tight again.

 

You will have to swap the 3 series and 3.42 together. You will have to set the pinion depth, bearing preload and backlash again to get the correct contact pattern. This is very important. If you don't get it within about .002 inch you will have problems.