Rearend Rebuild?

How big of a job and how complex is it to tear apart and rebuild the rearend? I have a 2000 v6 5spd 2wd. There is a terrible grinding/growling sound, most previous posts on the subject point to the pinion gear. I have good mechanical ability but am by no means an expert.
Thanks.

If you have access to a press, and dial guages to measure back lash you'd be alright. I too am no expert, I did however rebuild my Ford 9" and it was a success. If you pay attention to how it all comes apart, and a chiltons on that model year truck you should be fine. Good luck

Rebuilding a rear end is sort of tricky to do. In order to measure the back lash and clearances the gears have to be dyed and then turned and you have to be able to read the print that is made on the ring gear. After doing that you have to pull the bearings off and adjust the shim pack to make the adjustment. That is after removing the pinion and adjusting the depth into the housing. I went through the process once, and within about half a mile ruined the ring gear and pinion set. Have fun.

Regards John J. Totten esperienced shade tree mechanic

its not hard but without proper tools u can damage the bearing during intalation, and it will fail and spead metal throw axle and u will have to do all over, and to set pinion depth may require r&r of pinion and pinion bearing several times to change shims, inless you have a press and bearing remover jigs, yoke removel tool, ft lb torque wrench, inch lb torque wrench, slide hammer and outer bearing adapter, dial indicater, and misc. wrenches and sockets i would recomend having in done somewhere

Why not buy a whole rear axel from the same vehicle or 2500hd and save yourself the head ache

That's probably what I'll do given the responses so far. Definetely sounds out of my league. My local salvage yard doesn't have anything newer than '95. How do I figure out what I can swap it out with? What should I expect to pay for a used axle?
BTW...Thanks for all the input.

Go to www.car-part.com you can search your entire state or region. It will match up with any year that will interchange. Do you know what ratio yours is? You can check your RPO codes and find out. Probably 3:42 or 3:73 in a 2wd. In a 2wd it's not as important since you don't have to match the front on a 4wd. If it is 3:42 you might consider going to 3:73 for a little more power from that V6. You would have to program the computer or your speedo would be off though.