Gear setup question

When converting from one ratio (2.45) to another (3.55) is the old pinion depth shim even relevant?

I ordered a complete rebuild kit from Motive Gear, and there is a pack of shims included, but all of them combined aren't as thick as the ONE that I took out.

The original is unusable because it was installed behind the inside pinion bearing race, and got beat to hell trying to get the race out..didn't realize we weren't hitting the race until everything came out.

So what do I do for shims, and where should I start? Can I order just a shim kit to start with?