Rear Diff Carrier swap (1 Viewer)

[thecrazygreek]

I have an Aussie locker in my rear diff that I want to remove.

I have a diff on another rig I can use for the swap back to stock.

Same gear ratio etc.

Question is, can I swap the carriers? I know about removing the axles etc,
But can I just pull the four carrier bolts and swap them? I imagine there might be issues with mating up with the pinion as far as wear goes etc?

Or should / can I just swap out the whole diff. I think that's where I'm leaning as that route seems easier.

Whats involved with a diff swap? Is it as easy as I am thinking it's going to be?

oh.. important note. The Aussie is in a 78 rear and the stock donor is coming from a 74. Spline issue maybe? If so, can I use the 74 axles?

I've never swapped out a diff before so wanted to bounce it off some experts.

Thanks!

 

[Jdc1]

If you are not going to rebuild, the easiest would be to swap the entire diff out. I'll let the experts weigh in but I don't think it is as easy as pulling the carriers without setting the entire rear end up again.


The most challenging part of my diff reinstall was getting the spider gears back in. After you tubing and trying for the better part of an hour I finally got them in. I took them back out and they went right back in again. Good luck.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Does the diff come out as one piece after the axle removal?
If so, that's what I'm going to do.

 

[Jdc1]

Does the diff come out as one piece after the axle removal?
If so, that's what I'm going to do.

Yes. you can carefully remove your axles and put the block back in and the spider gears should stay in place.

Be careful when removing the diff assembly from the axle housing as it is pretty heavy (60lbs?)

The FSM details the procedure as well as provides the tourque values for the nuts. I had a few studs try to work themselves out of the housing.

 

[Fast Eddy]

IMO, it would be easier to swap the Aussie locker for the spider gears in the other diff. Then you can resell the locker.

This is even more true if the Aussie locker diff has a fine-spline pinion shaft.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Since you need to remove most of the Lock Rite in order to pull the C-clips out, you might as well just pull the side couplers out (be sure to retain the shims) and put the spider gears back in. Saves you from demating the diff from the housing and replacing the gasket/scrubbing off FIPG sealant, etc .

 

[thecrazygreek]

Will the 74 spider gears work in the 78 carrier?

 

[Pin_Head]

Yes. The fine spline side gears are interchangeable from about 1968 to 1997.

 

[pbgbottle]

Isnt the pinion flange also different.
I too would just pull the aussie Super easy to swap out.

 

[Tysano]

Might be easiest to swap the entire axle put the 74 in the 78 unless the brakes are junk on the 74 just a thought