Highway drive with no fluid in rear, what did I do?

[Rickracer]

What you need for that is a beam type inch lb. torque wrench

The main one missing from your list is a pinion depth gauge. You can get it right with a bunch of trial and error and gear marking compound if you know what you're looking for in a wear pattern, but it's really not a job for first timers.

 

[87owner]

well the deal is its not a daily driver right now. I got all the time in the world. I got to start somewhere right. My question is is it going to be worth trying the housing I have with the rebuild. The surface is sraight and not hogged out, but has some texture to it, like ridges or grooves that you can feel.

 

[John Larkin]

Lee Thompson had a bare housing a few months ago. Not sure if he still does.