not that it's relevant here, but they put the 8.6 the dealer parts guy called it when I got new axle seals in the 4x4 hybrid ones. it's switch able to 2wd.I didn't count the bolts.
my thinking is they did it for weight and the gear ratio. they wanted that 3.08 gear. the high gear in the tranny is only 0.7 something. so it turns more rpm than the standard one. the rate them decent tq, but I doubt anyone is towing over the rated weight or adding hp. it's basically a suv shaped mini van lol.
the older escalade, like 08 09 have the 3.42 gear and the bigger rear. so I think it was just a gear ratio spit thing when gm put what in what. 99% will live with the smaller rear end well past any warranty. I do wonder about my little 8.6 on decell. tons and tons of regen braking on a very small heal and when I did fluid at 136k ish. there was more metal on the mag than I've ever seen in a not failing rear end haha. but it's dead quiet and the locker works. so eh.. roll on till it gets whiney.
my thinking is they did it for weight and the gear ratio. they wanted that 3.08 gear. the high gear in the tranny is only 0.7 something. so it turns more rpm than the standard one. the rate them decent tq, but I doubt anyone is towing over the rated weight or adding hp. it's basically a suv shaped mini van lol.
the older escalade, like 08 09 have the 3.42 gear and the bigger rear. so I think it was just a gear ratio spit thing when gm put what in what. 99% will live with the smaller rear end well past any warranty. I do wonder about my little 8.6 on decell. tons and tons of regen braking on a very small heal and when I did fluid at 136k ish. there was more metal on the mag than I've ever seen in a not failing rear end haha. but it's dead quiet and the locker works. so eh.. roll on till it gets whiney.
That square tube/threaded rod contraption is a homemade case spreader to facilitate installing the shims to achieve the preload.
