I have a 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo, 350 engine with Turbo-350 trans and original gears. I want to put in a posi rear, bigger gears. I am BRAND new to dealing with rear gears and just want to know the easiest and cheapest way to do everything, and will I need parts like a tourque converter, etc? Should I just get a whole new rear and swap it? Also what good will a shift kit do me, if anything? What's the best way to get this big beast some better gears and a posi? Thanks for helping out a Monte guy!

If you have never rebuilt a rear, I would not suggest doing it as it is very involved. You can get an Eaton posi and a new set of gears and have them installed for about $200 plus whatever parts cost. You don't really need a new torque converter unless you plan on bracket racing it all the time. A stock converter will do fine. Just remember the old philosphy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". The cheapest way would be to find a rear in a junkyard, but it would have to be in a 73-77 A body car, they are specific to them.

The cheapest way would be to look through the classifieds and throw a 12 bolt into the Monte. Wish I would would have done that because it would have saved me a few hundred dollars and I would have a beefier rear. :D

it is not complicated at all dont let anybody scare you.the whole idea of building your car is just that,building.it takes some time to set up,the hardest part to me was the pinion,i took my old pinion bearing and wallowed it out just enough so it was kinda hard to slip onto the pinion then shim it put the carrier in with proper shims and check with the suppllied gear compound in the rear end rebuild kit,also used the old crush sleeve for the setup.randys ring and pinion yukon 4:11's,eaton limited slip,and rebuild kit to my door 600.00.
everything came with very detailed instructions
if you get into it and feel you are not comfortable with your work you can still bite the bullet and take it to a differential shop,but if that is what you end up doing do not drive it have it towed...
best of luck
shane