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Differential replacement?

Tiny
BIG TEDDY
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 30,000 MILES
I have 2004 chevy truck 2500hd 6liter v8 with 410 rear end can I have it changed to more fuel efficient rear end and still use 4 wheel drive without changing front gear box thank you big teddy.
Sunday, August 30th, 2009 AT 10:11 AM

49 Replies

Tiny
SPEEDYCATO
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Nope have to be the same ratio because the front and rear will fight each other when in 4wd.
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Monday, August 31st, 2009 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
CLANDESDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,500 MILES
What should the cost be to replace the front and rear differential on my 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500?
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
To replace both front and rear differentials with used units it should cost 250.00 per diff labor and between 450.00 and 650.00 each for the differentials. New units would be a bunch over 2 gs each if you went new.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GABBY9980
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My husband just had to replace his rear differential. It wasn’t having any problem driving before this but now it is only driving in first and second gear. Could it be something simple or do we need a new transmission? Please help.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

It is odd that it started only after the differential was replaced. Was it replaced with an exact replacement? In other words, is the gear ratio the same in the new differential?

Since the drive shaft would have been removed, it is possible that by accident, the vehicle speed sensor at the rear of the transmission may have been damaged or disconnected.

Take a look at the picture I attached. It shows the location of the sensor on the transmission. Have him check it. Also, let me know if the speedometer is properly working, and if diagnostic trouble codes have been checked.

I will watch for your reply.

Joe
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 120,000 MILES
If I take the rear end and springs out of my 1500 can I put the 2500 rear end and springs in or do I got to change u-joint and shaft?
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

Does your truck have coil or leaf springs? They both have to have the same set up.

Can you upload a picture of the differential in your truck and the donor you want to install?

Yes, you may need to change the universal joint and possibly the drive shaft depending on the differential you are selecting.

How many lugs on the tire mounting on the differentials?

Roy
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
6 lug just a basic 1500 Silverado.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, are they both use the same springs?

If they do then looks like you have a winner. Check the yoke to be sure it is the same as yours to be sure you will not have to change it.

Are they both drum?

Roy
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm pretty sure they're disc. I'll have to look when I get home. I'm just now getting off the job site, but my truck is a 6 lug the one going in at is an 8 lug, but they both are two wheel drive. That's what I thought if I pulled the rear end and I pulled the springs the only thing I have to worry about would be the universal joint, but if memory serves me right changing the universal joint means you've got to change the drive shaft. Right?
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
My trucks are 6 lug the others and 8 lug. So let me ask you this: if they both got the 4 L 60 e in it for the training then the drive shaft from the 2500 should fit. Right?
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

In your question you mentioned your 6 lug truck is a 2001 Silverado. What year is the 8 lug differential coming out of? Are these 2 wheel or 4 wheel drives trucks? Let me know and I can help. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
If you want to put an 8 lug in, you are going to open a new set of issues. I do not recommend doing this as you will have 6 lug in the front and 8 in the rear.

What is wrong with the rear in the truck?

Like Danny asked, is this 2 or 4 wheel drive?

Roy
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
2 wheel and the gears blew apart.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 150,000 MILES
I need to change the rear end in my truck listed above 1500 model. Will the inner guts fit from a Suburban or Tahoe? I'm not using the rear end just the guts or does it have to be from a truck only? I know the length of the rear end isn't the same but are the guts the same from a Suburban and Tahoe as in my truck?
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Why do you not just get a new set of gears and a carrier? It would be so much easier to fix what you have than get a used one with no history and possible issues of its own.

I attached the parts for overhauling the unit you have. A posi carrier and a choice of gear ratios.

Roy
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

Count the number of bolts on the cover. It should be 10 or 12 bolt.

They have to be the same. If the donor has the same number, then it can be swapped. Make sure you replace the pinion gear as well.

Is your truck a 2 or 4 wheel drive?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-differential-works

I attached a exploded diagram for you of the differential.

Roy

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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Yes, The 8 lug differential will bolt right directly in place. It's the same width so it will bolt into place on the springs without modification. The shock mounts are in the same location and will work as well. The only thing that will need modification is you will need to buy a one-off u-joint to mate your existing drive shaft to the 8 lug differential yoke. They do make them but you will probably have better luck finding one at a differential or driveline specialty shop. All in all it is doable will just take a little work. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2Carpros.

Danny-
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILL LIGHTMYWAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks very much it did help.
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I would also consider fixing your old rear as well.

I am concerned that the 8 lug rear and 6 lug front will cause some issues especially if you have an automatic transmission. The speed sensor will not be accurate and if you have ABS, it will not work with the different roll speeds of the tires.

Roy
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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 11:10 AM (Merged)

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