When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The friend who owns the garage that's working on my 68 corvette called to say we needed to change the differential carrier because from changing the rear from 4:11 to 3:55, the size of the carrier is different. I found prices 100s of dollars difference in the brands and whose selling it. Are Yukon Gear products good. I can buy one for half what some sell for. Thanks
You do indeed need to change the carrier as the deeper gears (4:10, 4:56) need a “series 4” carrier whereas the 3:70 and numerically lower gears use a “series 3”. Here is a comparison of the two carriers.
Eaton, the original supplier of the carrier, currently sells a “loaded” unit for $900. It is available through the usual sources like Summit, Jegs and others.
As mentioned going from a 4series stock gear to a 3series requires changing the posi case as the thickness of both the gear and case flange are different.
I prefer Eaton over Yukon.Prices vary depending where they are sold. Eaton has been on backorder for months.
I’ve heard of Yukon spiders failing.
both are Chinese today
I can buy a Yukon on Ebay 17 spline posi for $400 new. It seems like an excellent price, because on the Yukon site they want almost a $1000. If the Eaton are not available they I will go with the Yukon to keep the project moving. It is hard to believe that much different in price, but the seller has a very high rating. Thanks for the pictures. I now now what the difference between a series 3 and 4. Thanks PS the price is for a loaded unit with composite pads.
Gary, when I put the 68 corvette information in the websites, it says it takes a 17 spine. Is that true for all or did they use some 30's or others? Doug
All 63-79 were 17 spline.
You can use the Yukon if you like, it wouldn't be my choice. Ron's gets a volume discount. The fiber clutches are quiet as they wear away at every turn. You can't tune a posi with fiber clutches, if that is a concern.
I just opened a new Eaton and yes they are hard to get now but I got one. The spiders and clutches are out and will be replaced with better clutches and 30 spline spiders.
I have not seen the Eaton spiders break as the others have.
Word of caution - buying a used carrier is not without risk as many of them have cracks, particularly in the corners of the large window and/or in the cross shaft holes. I recently took three carriers I’ve had on the shelf for some time to have them magnafluxed and all 3 are junk.
Word of caution - buying a used carrier is not without risk as many of them have cracks, particularly in the corners of the large window and/or in the cross shaft holes. I recently took three carriers I’ve had on the shelf for some time to have them magnafluxed and all 3 are junk.
Also have to check the case OD for a slip fit of the ring gear. Could be from polishing or just shaving down replacing ring gears. The ring gear should be a press fit on the case.
I ordered a new Yukon from a placed called Ron's. I was told it may not be the best one, but I will only drive the car couple hundred miles a year. I figured $400 and free shipping in 4 days will keep the restore moving.
Word of caution - buying a used carrier is not without risk as many of them have cracks, particularly in the corners of the large window and/or in the cross shaft holes. I recently took three carriers I’ve had on the shelf for some time to have them magnafluxed and all 3 are junk.
I magnaflux any of my cores, I would not even normally sell one but offered. Would not sell one that is cracked. I do agree with though, I have bought them on here and received cracked ones.
I magnaflux any of my cores, I would not even normally sell one but offered. Would not sell one that is cracked. I do agree with though, I have bought them on here and received cracked ones.
Appreciate the candor. Good to see honest folks haven’t disappeared altogether!
Appreciate the candor. Good to see honest folks haven’t disappeared altogether!
I hope to think there are more good people out there than bad, but it only takes one bad apple. The last diff I bought on here had a cracked carrier, it was not obvious in any of the pics but once I got it you didn't even need to magnaflux it. Person would not make it right so those sting a bit. The problem is a magnafluxing kit is expensive and most people will not buy them. If you are in the business of rebuilding though you can't go without it.
Tom Watt had the 411, 433, and 456 gears made thick to use a on 3 series case. Yukon copied them when US Gear closed their doors. This won't help here, going from a GM 4 series gear to a 3 series gear requires a 3 series case.
Differential carrier
