Can i use 3.08 insted of 3.73???
 

:confused: I have a 12 bolt rear end with 3.73 gears, out of a 1970 chevy short bed. I was woundering if i could use my rear end but put 3.08 gears in it? Or am i going to have to get a new rear end. Thanks jim. Bye the way i am 17 years old and this is my first truck.:burnout:

You'd be better off finding someone who would trade their rear end for yours . Otherwise the gears and setup would put you around $500+ . I'm sure there are a lot of folks on this board who would be happy to do that if they live close to you.

I learned the hard way that when you swap from 3.73's down to 3.08s you need a different carrier.

Brian

What is carrier??

the carrier is what the ring gear is bolted to(also houses the spider gears). The 3.08 is on a 3 series carrier, & the 3.73 & lower are on a 4 series carrier. I agree with MikeP, it would be much cheaper to swap complete rear diffs with someone, rather than set up gears & replace the carrier. Good luck,crazyL:burnout:

bpmcgee, sounds like a destroyed ring and pinion set?? my pinion seal went out tosay on my way home from town. I guess its time to get the 3.08 posi ready and get new u-bolts and get a speedo gear too :-)

Re: Can i use 3.08 insted of 3.73???
 

presently we have two rear ends one is in the 70 chevy with a noisy 3.73 5 lug that we want to put 3.08'sin The other rearend is a 3.08 was told from a 70 ish pu with 6 lug and posi. can the center section from the 3.08 be moved to the 3.73. Thanks Ed ke6bnl So.Calif.

I would check the width flange to flange on the axles......if the spare diff is a 70, the 5 lug axles should swap in. The 67-69 diffs are 1 1/2" narrower. If you have the older diff, yes you can swap the 3.08 ring /pinion & carrier into your diff. You just need to check backlash before tearing the 3.08 diff down, & use the pinion shim with the 3.08 gears. After you are all set up , run the pattern with marking compound to be sure the pinion depth/backlash is correct. good luck,crazyL:burnout: