00 Yukon XL 4wd changing gears from 373 to 456

[thegeneral]

2000 Yukon XL
6" lift
35" tires
3.73 gears (4wd)

After a 1000 mile road trip this weekend through the California mountains i realized it's time to change the gears. While climbing up the grapevine at 4500 rpms I could feel the damage being done to the trans/engine. It was screaming for a change, literally.

What is involved? I had a quote of 2,000 to change out front and rear gears, which sounds VERY high, and decided after that, that I will be doing it myself.

Any special tools? Any recommended brands? I'm looking for the heaviest duty there is, something I never need to worry about. Any ideas?

Also, while i'm in there, I plan on changing out the rear axles and rear axle bearings, anything i'm going to run into?

After thinking while i'm writing, is there any reason why i shouldn't just switch axle/differentials all together to something much more heavy duty and call it a day?

 

[Alex33]

Patrick, have you thought of snagging the axles out of a 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL?

 

[thegeneral]

Not a bad idea! Any chance that they would fit? I suppose if I change out the entire differential it would be a non issue, I just wonder If the 2500 is leaf or spring suspension, and what kind of issues i would run into...

Not sure if in keeping the same diff, if the 2500 axle shafts would fit in the 1500...

i guess if I change out the whole rear diff, my dream of putting a duramax in the future would be more of a reality. At least it would start the upward movement of changing everything out!

 

[Alex33]

From what I've seen the suspension is the same basic setup as the 1500, just stronger axles and HD brakes, springs and shocks. I'm willing to bet it would all bolt on.

 

[ktmhans]

Do 2500's run 456 gears? Search around, you can probly get a better deal then that. If your willing to do.some of the work. Like pulling the front diff. And even pulling the rear axle to put in on the bench in front of someone. Your saving lots of cash right there. I found a guy that races stock cars. Come to find out he puts yogether custom rear ends for some race cars that uses jag rear diffs. He charged me $100 to set up the front diff on my tahoe plus parts. I had totally disasembled and cleaned everything. He pushed out the pressed in bearings. All bearings and seals were $350 if i remember.
I would ask guys at your local napa, or family owned type parts store and see if anyone knows.
It is posible to do it yourself, but if you dont have the propper tools it will cost ya some $$$ to get rolling and if your off a little, youll be hearing it till ya tear it all back apart again.

 

[WoldD90]

Do 2500's run 456 gears?

The 2500's run 4.11's

 

[slocaddy]

2500's have leaf sprung rear suspension.

 

[thegeneral]

So no 2500 diff. Taking it off the truck is a good idea. I'll see what my shop says about that. If not, it's up to me.

I just can't justify 2,000 to do something I have a 99% chance of doing "pretty well".

 

[WildBill]

99% will fail. gears need 100%. shop around for a better price. anything you saved in labor would be spent on dial indicators. At least if a shop does them they will stand behind their work.

no 2500 suspension bolts in, believe me, i've been researching. if you want to sway a 14 bolt SF rear from a 2500 anything you have to strip the axel and weld up the multi link rear we have. Not too bad if youre handy with a welder. H2 Hummers have a coil spring multi link, but you have to shorten the whole thing by a few inches. Up front, I dont think anything fits easy.