legacycentral bbs

So I finally got around to getting into my VLSD swap and have a few questions. For those that don't know, I got a set of JDM VSLD internals off of Frank (thanks!) to swap for my open diff. I have an extra that I'm swapping into so I can take my time - though I am a little impatient...

Question 1 - will the required number of shims be the same for the new internals vs. the old? I suspect not but I thought that if they are then I can just keep real close track of them as I dissasemble and just reverse for the install. This does seem too easy but I'm new to this side of drivetrain.

Question 2 - it appears that I have to measure some locations off the case and such to calculate my shim thickness. Will these locations have definative datums that I can measure to? It seems like it wouldn't take a lot of error to mess things up.

Question 3 - I'm a pretty bright guy and I can figure a lot of things out and have done a fair share of mechanic work. I also have access to dial indicators and such. However, is this something I can pull off or should I just break down and pay someone else because I'm already doomed ?

Thanks for the help and feel absolutely free to throw out some suggestions/advice in general on this procedure.

Personally, I would check the backlash on the gears and not rely on what was installed.

However, typically the tolerances on machined parts like the internals of the differential are going to be much tighter then the casting for differential case....so if it were my money, I'd use the shims that were setup on the case the VLSD is going into.

But like I said, it'd be a good idea to check backlash.