Help me decide what to do??

[Fless]

@Mudsport96 suggested a method to test the ratio of the front diff, but that can also be used in 2wd for the rear diff:

Front Diff or Transfer Case

I know the front ratio will be the same as the rear, just wanted to make sure there was not a differential type RPO to insure I source the correct front diff. There are 2 RPOs for the rear. One is the ration and other denotes if its a peg leg or limited.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Fless]

Not sure why you wouldn't keep this in one thread. See this one for the "decision":

Final call!!

What's going on gentlemen so I've decided to go ahead and replace the whole entire rear end but I'm nervous by what everybody's been telling me I have a 03 Tahoe Z71 I'm getting a rear end out of a 06 Escalade the gear ratio in the stock 06 Escalade should be compatible for the front gear ratio...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[master_painter]

Not sure why you wouldn't keep this in one thread. See this one for the "decision":

Final call!!

What's going on gentlemen so I've decided to go ahead and replace the whole entire rear end but I'm nervous by what everybody's been telling me I have a 03 Tahoe Z71 I'm getting a rear end out of a 06 Escalade the gear ratio in the stock 06 Escalade should be compatible for the front gear ratio...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

I am new here sir stop busting my balls!!!

 

[Fless]

I am new here sir stop busting my balls!!!

Ha! If that only worked...

 

[S33k3r]

I am new here sir stop busting my balls!!!

I've never seen @Fless bust anybody's balls -- he just doesn't work that way. He was just giving you a friendly reminder. This is not a forum where anyone enforces anything with a heavy hand -- EXCEPT civility. One person in particular had ******* behavior (he wasn't a total dick), and members brought it to his attention.

Please consider this: No one here is going to be a dick to anyone. This is too valuable a site, with too many valuable members to cause any kind of stupid internet fight.

If someone says something to you that upsets, set it aside, and come back later to look at it from the point that no one means you any grief. To be clear: We don't! (I feel very condifent in speaking for everyone on this!)

To hopefully answer your question, here's a little help:

You need your gear ratios to match, front and back, or you will destroy your transfer case (as well as having the JERKIEST ride of your life. Think "bucking bronco".) The RPO code GT4 represents 3.73 gears, and GT5 represents 4.10 gears. You need to understand what you have in your Z71 -- which is likely GR$/3.73, and what the Escalade has (which is also likely Gt4/3.73). If the codes match -- and no one has done any "customizing' -- you should be good to go.

Good luck!

 

[Mudsport96]

That's the problem I don't know what the back is to match the front. But my rear end is screaming at me so I have to move it one way or the other.

This here tells me it would be far easier to swap the whole rearend. If your diff is "screaming" there will be enough debris in the whole assembly that all the bearings are trash.