swapping out rear end & need some help
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
swapping out rear end & need some help
Question from my buddy helping me swap out my 2.59 gears for a Dana 36 3.07,....anyone know if the rear end can be changed by leaving the rear end cover bracket assembly in place. Not sure if the cover interchanges. If not it will be a lot more work. it does look like it will interchange. Any and all info and advise is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Jeffrey
Thanks,
Jeffrey
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It should go in with no problems. Don't forget to put in GM posi-lube additive. This is a good time to check the u-joints while you're under there, too.
You will definitely like the difference that gear change will make.
Good luck with your project.
You will definitely like the difference that gear change will make.
Good luck with your project.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Thanks for the help!!!!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: middle of Illinois
Are you replacing just the ring and pinion inside, or the whole pumpkin? Either way you can get it out by disconnecting all three U-joints and unbolting the long bracket from the transmission, and then unbolt the cover and drop the whole diff case, leaving the cover still bolted in the car. It's a little bit of a trick to get it back together, but it may have been easier if I put the axle U-joints back in before I bolted the cover back on. I probably got something out of order when I did it, because those U-joints were a serious pain in the butt. If they're the original U-joints, it might be a good idea to put in new ones when you put it back together just because it would be a bummer to have to take it back apart again. Spicer makes some good ones, and I picked mine up from Farm & Fleet of all places. They were just under $20/each.
If you're replacing just the gears, make sure you get the thick 3.07s that are made to replace 2 series gears. I'll resist the urge to suggest a more serious gear. I don't know what car this is going into. If it's 91 or older, 3.07 may be as low as you want. LT1s seem to like lower ratios (higher number) because they like to rev higher anyway.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Are you replacing just the ring and pinion inside, or the whole pumpkin? Either way you can get it out by disconnecting all three U-joints and unbolting the long bracket from the transmission, and then unbolt the cover and drop the whole diff case, leaving the cover still bolted in the car. It's a little bit of a trick to get it back together, but it may have been easier if I put the axle U-joints back in before I bolted the cover back on. I probably got something out of order when I did it, because those U-joints were a serious pain in the butt. If they're the original U-joints, it might be a good idea to put in new ones when you put it back together just because it would be a bummer to have to take it back apart again. Spicer makes some good ones, and I picked mine up from Farm & Fleet of all places. They were just under $20/each.
If you're replacing just the gears, make sure you get the thick 3.07s that are made to replace 2 series gears. I'll resist the urge to suggest a more serious gear. I don't know what car this is going into. If it's 91 or older, 3.07 may be as low as you want. LT1s seem to like lower ratios (higher number) because they like to rev higher anyway.
The swap out is for a 1990 L98 and I was told that the 3.07 was the best bet for my car and set up with extremely min. mods, (basically a magnaflow cat back exhaust with Headman long tube headers and a chip). I am having a friend who knows alot more then I do help me swap out the entire pumpkin.
Thanks for the recommendation on the u-joints.
Thanks Again,
Jeffrey
