2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission swaping open differential for limited slip

[KKunz]

I have a 99 24v with 3. 55 Dana 80 with open differential my dad has a 98 24v Dana 80 with 3. 55 gears with the limited slip differential. My dad is getting ready to trade the truck; he told me I could swap my open differential with his limited slip. What is the best way to do this? Should I change the whole axle or can I just swap the carriers? I have never set up a rear-end before.

Thanks

 

[Fishin Guide]

How many miles are on each unit?



If the axles are similar. Meaning that there aren't any speed senors or ABS stuff that would need to be hacked, I would swap the rear end. You can put new bearings in it later if it's a concern.



Setting up a diff is not too bad, but I would not recommend it to someone that has never even seen it done.





Dave

 

[rono]

I would unhook everything from each rear end assembly, U-Bolts and all, roll the assemblies out from under each vehicle and roll each under the other, bolt it back up and your are done.

I just swapped the Dana 70 from mine with a Dana 80 from a wrecked truck and everything is working fine.

Ron

 

[KKunz]

the 99 has 80,000 on it and the 98 has 140,000. if I swap the gears off the open to th LS and the LS gears to the open and use all the shims cant I just swap the carrier?

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

Easiest thing to do is just swap the axles IMHO... 140k on a well maintained rear end should be nothing... .

 

[TRCM]

you can, but the odds are real good you will be needing gears again soon.

best bet is to swap the whole axle assembly.

 

[Fishin Guide]

I would swap the entire assembly as well.



You could swap the carrier and use the current shims for a starting point, but you would most likely have to replace the bearings and come up with a setup set as well. In addition, you may need some more shims, dial indicator and a case spreader.



I would swap the entire thing and have a shop replace the bearings if you are worried about it at a later date. The gears would not be a concern to me depending on how they have been treated. But, gears are cheap if the pumkin is gonna get cracked.



Dave

 

[jkalchik]

the 99 has 80,000 on it and the 98 has 140,000. if I swap the gears off the open to th LS and the LS gears to the open and use all the shims cant I just swap the carrier?

Yes and no. You'll still need to at least do a sanity check on the pattern, as well as swapping the pinion. It'll be a full setup, not like just replacing an open carrier with a limited or a locker, where you just have to adjust the carrier left/right (using the same gears. )



If you've never set up gears before, I'd suggest the same thing the others are saying: swap the whole assembly. You'll want to make sure that the ABS and speed sensor connections are there on the 98 before making the swap, though.