Hi.

I recently purchased a parts truck to do a conversion to 5-speed, and the parts rig also has a wider rear end than my current truck. Is it possible to swap the limited slip diff. from the narrower rear end to the non-limited slip carrier housing in the parts truck? Will the longer non-lsd axles fit the limited diff?

If the switch is not possible, I would consider using the non-lsd axle anyway, but the truck is high miles and from an unknown maintenance history. How can I tell if it is worn out?

I have looked at tons of previous posts, and have not been able to figure out how to tell the current condition of a rear end. If I have to rebuild it I would like to do it while it is out, before I install it in my daily driver and get the growl of doom.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

You should be able to swap the inside of the pumpkin into your original truck such as the LSD unit. Might as well throw a $60 set of new clutches in there while you're at it.

Where are you from in Maine?

 

Thanks Damon-

Thats kind of what I was thinking, some clutches and maybe some bearings. I would really like to get this wider rear on, but I do not want to lose the limited slip if I can help it.

I'm from Mid-coast, just outside of Belfast.

Best.

 

Swap is possible if both axles have the same spline count. The general rule is if it has studs and nuts retaining the axle shafts to the hubs, it is 35 spline. If it has bolts retaining the axle shafts, it is 32 spline. If the axle count is different, you can get a complete "internal" kit to replace everything inside the carrier to match your axles. There is also a difference in carriers between 4.10 and down and 4.56 and up gear sets.

 

Any pictures of the truck?? I bet I have seen it if its around the midcoast.

 

One thing you need to check is the spline count on the axles. The older trucks had the 35 spline shafts and the newer ones had 32. With the axles being different length that may cause an issue.

 

Thanks for the help.

I'll run out and check for studs/nuts later this afternoon. I'm not sure if the axle is 4.10 or 3.56, as the tag and sticker are both MIA, but I'll check it out next time it is in the shop and off the floor.

No photos of it yet, but you can't miss it. Screaming yellow 91 dually with a black flatbed. Free paint...

 

I'm surprised I have not seen it. I haul gravel from collins pit all the time and always hauled from dan fox while he was open. I don't get down 137 if thats where you still work?

 

Check out Ring and Pinion Randy's site and it will have what years are compatible with what on them.

I pound through the Rt. 3 section of Belfast often when steamin southbound and down. I'm in Surry between Ellsworth and Bucksport

 

Thanks for the tip on the ring&pinion website, I'll check that out.

The truck has not been on the road as much since I built a shop, for some reason I have a hard time taking off-site work when I can stay in the nice shop and take naps on my creeper. Of course hot lunches with my wife and 2yr old daughter don't help the truck out of the dooryard either...