HO52 unit questions

[shelby987]

I saw in the parts section a 71 Eaton ho52 rear axle with posi and 4.10 gears....would like to upgrade my truck to this setup...currenty open and 4.56, my question is this, can I just pull the center section and swap with mine? (4wd, need to upgrade front axle gears as well....so I already know that)
Also, is this actually rare? Is it worth the 6 hour drive, or can I come across this at most decent scrap yards that deal with older vehicles?

Thanks

[Longhorn Man]

most all small block/automatic powered trucks should have the 4.10, it came standard in that eng/tranny configuration. Including my parts truck, I have had 4 trucks, 3 of them had eatons, and all 3 were 4.10 open. The limited slip is not very common at all in a 4.10.
Walking into any junk yard in this neck of the woods 9including your neck) you aren't likely to find one since they rusted to dust many years ago.

[1969 GMC]

it's actually a detroit locker, not a limited slip. i'd say they are pretty rare, I have yet to stumble across one in the JY even though i've found a few eatons. i did buy one off of another board member, but thats a different story.

and yes, the third members will swap out just like a ford 9. just pull the shafts and unbolt the third. they are pretty heavy though, over 100 lbs, so have a friend or an engine hoist to help.

[72MARIO]

I have one of the "rare" Detroit Lockers here. Not sure what I am going to do with it. I know there hard to find just not sure how long I should hold onto it.

69 GMC covered the rest of your question very well.

[Tx Firefighter]

That's weird. In the last year, I've had a two 72's and a 68 with the Eaton rear. All three were the lockers. I thought they were all lockers until I read this

[Fred T]

And I've never seen a HO52 with a locker. Go figure.

[shelby987]

trying to buy the one that was listed on ebay, whats the best way to get something that size shipped from IL to Michigan? How do I go about putting it on a grey hound?
Its just about 6 hours away....and in my truck gas = shipping.....and I just don't have the time right now to drive there anyway....as it is the 3rd member will likely sit in the garage for a couple of months.
Also, does the '3rd member' consist of the locker and the gears? What tools/knowledge will I need to drop this in place of my 4.56 open diff setup?

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by shelby987

trying to buy the one that was listed on ebay, whats the best way to get something that size shipped from IL to Michigan? How do I go about putting it on a grey hound?
Its just about 6 hours away....and in my truck gas = shipping.....and I just don't have the time right now to drive there anyway....as it is the 3rd member will likely sit in the garage for a couple of months.
Also, does the '3rd member' consist of the locker and the gears? What tools/knowledge will I need to drop this in place of my 4.56 open diff setup?

The 3rd is self contained, it has the gears, carrier, locker, bearings, and the yoke.
To remove it you simply unbolt the two axleshafts from the housing (make sure to have a catch pan under the ends because gear lube will spill out) and slide them about halfway out. Then you simply unbolt the 3rd, and it will come out. It might be rusted so it will take a little "talking to" with a sledge or big screwdriver. Other than that its very straightforward. Make sure to have a catch pan for the 3rd as well.
Then go back in reverse order. attach the 3rd and then slide the shafts back in, and bolt them on. i do not think gaskets are available from GM anymore, so use silicone or RTV, but don't use the whole tube. top off the diff with gear oil, and you're set.

the only tools you will need is a ratchet and sockets, I forget what sizes off the top of my head. then catch pans and some rags in case you spill any gear lube in your work area. then some sealant for the 3rd and axleshafts.

EDIT: they can be shipped FedEx. ChrisH on this board sent me one that way. He built a crate out of wood then slipped it inside a cardboard box to sneak it under their "no wood crates" requirement.

iirc, it weighed right around 150 lbs, but that was a 5.14 open diff, the No-Spin weighs a little more, so greyhound might be your best bet.

these also fit perfectly on top of 5-gallon buckets, so you may want to recommend that to the guy on ebay if he ships it to you. set it on the bucket then strap it down to a pallet.

one last thing, the No-Spin was an option in these, just like anything else. these axles all came stock with an open diff.

good luck!

[shelby987]

ok, looks like the one on ebay was actually won by someone, when I checked with an hour to go, no one had bid on it....so if anyone out there has a 4.10 eaton 3rd member with a locker in it, that they are looking to sell....let me know....would also like the gears for an D44hd to match the front gears on my 4x4 as well.
Thanks

[Yukon Jack]

Originally Posted by Fred T

And I've never seen a HO52 with a locker. Go figure.

Sure you have Fred - my 69 K20 has the factory No-Spin.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

The No-Spin could have been added for no extra $$$ back then according to my 1970 10-30 series owner's manual. Kinda weird. The 4.10 HO52 rear in my truck has one, and the 4.56 HO72 rear I have has one too.

[Rod]

Well my 70 dealer data book lists the no spin at $ 134.50 MFR suggested delivered retail price. List price was $125.
Also says not available when 400 engine ordered....I believe that was proved wrong when a glove box sticker recently posted the contrary.

By the contrary, I'm talking about 3/4 ton not having detroit lockers when BB were ordered...I know the one tons could..mine does and its factory BB.

[shelby987]

well, I have a 3/4t with a 250 I6......I could be wrong, it might have a locker, but its definately NOT listed as one of the 4 options on the glovebox sticker, and yes, its original.....I know that in the winter, the traction does not feel like its locker driven, also I know that it has 4.56 gears, and a 10% reduction in highway RPM....while very small, would be nice.

[67'ShortMonster]

We have a collection of old 67-72 trucks, about half the 3/4" tons have lockers. The old 70 3/4" burb came with 4.10 and locker. The 1 tons, both came 5.13 no lockers... the 70 292 4x4 came with 4.56 and locker, same with the 71 camper special.
Anyone looking to get locker for theirs, can swap some of the internals to 14 bolt stuff, lots of the 4x4 guys like the h0's. Because of the 3rd member ect. I have one in my YJ... 4.10, locker, with the 1 ton cab and chassis hubs to narrow it down to 'jeep width', then i put disk brakes on it.

[Rod]

My suburban 70 GMC 3/4 4x4 six cylinder came with the detroit locker also.

[shelby987]

ok, so maybe I am wrong???? Its definately not listed on my glovebox door as a locker, is it always listed, or could it be implied....because I have a similar setup to many of the trucks above (3/4, 4x4, 6cyl).....is there an easy way to tell? (very bald tires, maybe it just feels like the bad traction of a open diff because of that?)
its winter, will simply getting the truck on some ice and giving it some go juice tell me (with a spotter looking at both tires??).
Thanks

[rwgregory]

Just jack up one rear wheel w/the trans in neutral and the E-brake off and
see if that wheel will spin by hand. If the wheel spins freely, she no gotta
posi.

[Rod]

Always been a listed option on the truck I have or from parts ones I've grabbed..option G86 No Spin rear axle.

[shelby987]

ok, she no gotta posi....the wheel spin is how i figured out that I got 4.56 gears.....good.....or bad to know depending on how you look at it.