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Rear diff interchangeability

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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 11:41 PM
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Default Rear diff interchangeability

I have a 78 that I want to swap out the rear end in, but I cannot find anything that will tell me what years are interchangeable with it.

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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 11:44 PM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Berserker78)

1965-1979 diffs are interchangeable

1980-1982 are interchangeable.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:10 AM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (71,454,4spd)

1965-1979 diffs are interchangeable

1980-1982 are interchangeable.
71,454,4spd, is it possible to use the '65-'79 center section with the '80-up axles, etc.? I'd think the 'early' diffs are stronger than the 'later', ones, correct? I'm considering mods to my Cross-Fire, and don't wanna be towing my C3 home from the strip. Is it possible to 'beef-up' the Dana-44, found in '80-'82 Corvettes? Can anybody offer ideas? :confused:
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 01:08 AM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Glensgages)

If anything is going to be making you be towed home, it's that trans. Don't expect the stock 82 700R4 to last too long. They're pretty weak...Our 82's has gone out on us twice now. And I don't think it's got 90,000 miles on it.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 01:19 AM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Aaron-74)

If anything is going to be making you be towed home, it's that trans. Don't expect the stock 82 700R4 to last too long. They're pretty weak...Our 82's has gone out on us twice now. And I don't think it's got 90,000 miles on it.
Thanks, Aaron-74. I 'might' have that problem under control. At the very least, we'll rebuild & bullet-proof the OEM 700R4. If I don't have a 'cracked' iron head and need a set of aluminum heads, I'll use that $ for a 'built' heavy-duty TCI 700R4. Either way, I'm throwing a TCI higher-stall/lock-up converter in there, too! (I have a 'built' short-shaft, 2.75:1 low-gear THM400 in my garage, too) The differential has me a bit 'scared'.....
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Old Mar 30, 2003 | 01:54 PM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Berserker78)

I swapped out my 1976 differential with one from a 1964 that had original 4.11's. All I had to change was the yokes and it was ready to go.


1976 406 TH400 4.11 nitrous
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 12:38 AM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Glensgages)

Glen, the mounts to the frame are different on the different rears. I think the yokes and the half shafts are different as well.

I wouldnt worry about the DANA's to much.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 03:40 PM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (71,454,4spd)

QUOTE
-------------------------------------------
1965-1979 diffs are interchangeable
1980-1982 are interchangeable
-------------------------------------------

You can also put the aluminum cover off the 80-82 on the 65-79 housing. You'll have to mod the rear. We are currently doing one. We are also dropping a 5 speed in the car. If i can ever find my digital camera i'll take some pic so you guys can see.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 04:33 PM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (Berserker78)

1980-82 interchangability: Automatics share the same side yoke/half shafts on 80-81, manual trans cars' side yokes/half shafts are beefier/larger. Not 100% interchangable.

I'm assuming on '82, since only automatics were offered, the side yokes and half shafts are same dimensions as 80-81 auto cars.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: Rear diff interchangeability (TedH)

1980-82 interchangeability: Automatics share the same side yoke/half shafts on 80-81, manual trans cars' side yokes/half shafts are beefier/larger. Not 100% interchangeable.

I'm assuming on '82, since only automatics were offered, the side yokes and half shafts are same dimensions as 80-81 auto cars.
The rear ends are interchangeable. It's the yokes that are different. If you are putting a rear end from a manual into a car that has an auto, just slip the auto yokes into the rear end. The other option is to change U-joints to ones that will adapt the manual side yokes to the auto 1/2 shafts. I did the latter.
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