Blowed up the rear diff

[T-Bagg]

I think I'm gonna go axle hunting this weekend. As I build this axle, what locker do you guys think I should go with. Up front I think I'll go Detroit locker with the 4.10 gears. But into the 14 bolt, I want either an ARB Airlocker or Eaton ELocker. I plan on mounting a compressor to this truck in the near future.
Whatcha think?

 

[crmzendrgone]

EATON FTW.

I have an EATON TRUTRAC in mine right now.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

i have the auburn e-locker in mine, and it worked great minus the shop not installing the coil retainer. idiots.

 

[T-Bagg]

I looked up that Auburn e-locker. I like the limited-slip feature.

Update:
Scouted the local junk yard for 14 bolts. Unfortunately there were none around with the 9 1/2 inch ring gear(SF, 6 lug, easier swap.) But, there were about half a dozen 14 Bolt rear ends with the 10 1/2" gear set. But also the 8 lug pattern.
So it looks like the conversion will be a bit more difficult but I'll have a stronger rear end. And all of them were untouched, save one that was missing about 10 bolts from the cover.
I think my donor truck is going to be a 1996 2500 Suburban.

This should help though,
http://www.geartechhd.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=0

I'm going to go back tomorrow with a tape measure and my tools. And I think take a an axle.

 

[T-Bagg]

Independence Day update:
Went back today with the ol' tape measure, the most scientific instrument I own. And it seems all the mounting surfaces are the same size and same distance apart. Even the yoke appears to be the same size. So, I started pulling.
Learn from me and I suggest 2 -3 people even if those other two are only to help lift/watch for spiders. I read this thing weighed 550 pounds, I was hoping it was an exaggeration. It was not.
Did I ever tell you guys I don't like spiders. Especially shiny ones.
Bring a couple cans of BrakeKleen and WD-40. This will help loosen the hard ware and kill spiders.

The donor truck. A 1996 2500 Suburban:


The axle:


Mother ******* spiders. "How's WD-40 Taste, *****."


Mother ******


I pulled and ditched all the brake stuff. Since 1: The shit is huge and 2: I'm going to convert it to disc. The drums come off just like ours, though these were rusted on. Some WD-40 and my 3/4 drive ratchet hammer broke 'em free. The E-Brake cable and that little clip there, yeah, that clip. He's an *******.


*****.


These u-bolt nuts were 15/16" The shock bolts were 21mm.


This one played the game, "Wait 'til you turn your head and I disappear so you worry about wear I am the rest of the time you're here."


One side off.


What the ****?!


Almost. I left the brake lines on the axle. That little union there is held to the bracket with a 1/2" bolt and the lines were 9/16" wrench.


She's free.


In the Esca-Hoe. Next to the blowed up old 10 Bolt.


Best side by side/size comparison you're gonna get for now. Because I don't feel like muscling either of those around anymore.


These thing was a pain in the ass to get into the 'Hoe. The 10 Bolt, if I had to, I could load by my self. The 14 bolt, you will not be able to load by your self. Unless you're like, Jay Cutler's big bro or some shit.

What's the definitive way to figure out the gear ratio. I was told these came in either 4.10 or 4.56 but I'm 80% sure this is 3.73. Which will make the change over easier.
Auburn ECTED - Locker or ARB Air Locker?

Now if only Gear Tech HD would get around to EMailing me back.

 

[grimm]

Nice man! Looks like you found yourself a good axle. So are you planning to keep the 8 lug setup, or fab up a 6 lug conversion? Nice pics too. It would be pretty awesome if you took some pics during the swap as well as the final product. BTW, I hate spiders too. They should all be annihilated, haha. I'm no pansy, but damn something about those ***** ass spiders really bothers me. I have a genuine arachnophobia.

Anyways, good luck with your swap. You should be much more happy and feel more confident with this axle. I've heard good things about the Air locker and the ECTED, so I don't know. Someone else will probably have some more info.

 

[T-Bagg]

I'd like to get the conversion adapters from Gear Tech HD. I've heard that name in a few different spots. Hopefully they decide it's cool to Email me back sometime soon.

I'm going to try to snap a few more pictures through out the process.

 

[crmzendrgone]

Sweet pics. Look like fun. Can't wait to see and hear how your install goes.

I know how you feel about spiders. I have a 77 Chrysler Cordoba I was pulling the engine out of an I killed 9 count them 9 black widows. one that was just hanging out on the drive shaft was about half the size of my palm I took a picture but don't know where it is now. But a good propane torch gets them real good.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

nice find. i've looked at several trucks that have that axle under them but was told it was a different mount. have to remember to check back to see how your swap goes.

i can't lie, i ****** hate spiders as well. they are good and find if im not laying on the ground with them...

 

[T-Bagg]

nice find. i've looked at several trucks that have that axle under them but was told it was a different mount. have to remember to check back to see how your swap goes.

Go out to those trucks with a tape measure and see what you find. That's what I did. It's not incredibly accurate but it'll work.