I just realized there is a Tech section so I ma reposting there.

I have a 99’ Tahoe with 33” tires and have wanted to upgrade to 4.11 gears. I have run into a bit of a dilemma though.

My first question is, are “genuine gears” and their master install kits a good choice? The “Billy Bob’s Off-road” down the street recommends Yukon gears but the 4Wheel Parts Warehouse on the other side of town have Genuine gear packages for under $500. Not to mention, if I decide to have them installed, 4Wheel Parts is a total $500 cheaper when all is said and done.

Secondly, is this something I want to tackle on my own? I’m not a professional, but have completed some decent jobs (Intake manifold and disk brake conversion) and have a pretty good buddy that has a bit more overall experience then me, to help. But, am I really going to save very much money in the long run? After parts and specialty tools I will have to pick up, I’m not sure it’s going to save me much. I mean there is always something to be said about experience and feeling of accomplishment, but right now, for me, it’s coming down to the buck.

Well, if anyone has any comments or suggestions on this topic, please feel free. I need as much guidance as possible. Thanks guys.  

If you have not shimmed gears before, do not attempt it now; you will be money ahead to pay someone to do it right the first time then paying someone to do it after the gears you install fried.  As far as brand of gears, after talking with a friend of mine that changed gears in his truck I would NOT use Yukon gears.  He bought Yukon gears from Randy's Ring & Pinion and fried two sets.  Randy's Ring & Pinion would not stand behind them and said that he shimmed them wrong (NOT SO), he has been an auto machanic for years.  He talked to someone else about the Yukon gears and was told that they needed to be debured before installing them.  In my opinion if you have to grind on new gears so they are not noisy and so the edge of the teeth don't grind into each other they are not worth the money.  For choice between the two I would go with the deal from 4wheel Parts.  But when I regear my older 1 ton I plan to buy different brand of gears and do it myself.

Oh, by the way, my friend bought different gears (and bearing of course) and did it himself one more time and has not had a problem since.  

I wouldn't do it yourself if you haven't done it before. One little mistake can wind up costing you hundreds. I'm a pretty mechanical person and I wouldn't risk setting up gears, I leave it to the professionals.

I've heard good and bad about Genuine. The worst is that they are loud. And have the nickname GenuWhine.

Yukons are good gears, as are Sierra.

Really though, for what we do with 'simple' rigs I've never bought to much into the whole one is better than the other hype. As long as they are set up correctly and broken in correctly any brand should suit your needs.  

For choice in brand of gears, I would choose either Motive Gear or Richmond Gear.  I would not use the two that you listed ( Yukon or Genuine ).  Don't go cheap on gears, and since you have not done it before, pay a professional to do it for you.  Check around some other places other than the two that you have.