71 C-10 Rear Differential problems??

[djinva]

I am having rear diff problems. Looks like I am going to need spider gears, axle gears, possibly a carrier. I may just buy a whole rear end. I am just looking at my options and I am not sure what years fit. Can I use the carrier out of a later model leaf spring rear? Can I use an older 6 lug rear and use my 5 lug axles?

71 C-10 12 bolt, 3.73 posi with coil springs. I am willingly to go with a non-posi and a higher gear ratio.

If you have answers or parts I would appreciate any help.

[cdowns]

what problems are you having? do you have the proper lube in the rear for a posi?

[djinva]

It was loud and I am planning on riding it on the Hot Rod Power Tour, so I thought I would take a look. When I went to remove the pin to get the axles out, it was stuck. We had to cut it out, it had welded itself to the gears. It is the wrong carrier for the 3.73, it had over 1/2" of shims on one side to move the ring gear closer to the pinon. It was full of lube and it actually looked clean, but who knows what it is. It was in there when I bought it a year ago.

[djinva]

I have read 12 bolt truck carriers work 67-79, can anyone confirm this?

I have found a rear end out of a 76.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Hmm interesting......

Can someone confirm?..

[djinva]

Anyone??

[cdowns]

i think the quickest cheapest fix is trying to find a complete rear assy and if needed weld mounting saddles and tpanhard bar mount to install

from your description i'd b afraid to reuse that housing as there might b hidden damage due to bubba engineering i'd b so disgusted at seeing something like that i'd drop off at the recycler

[djinva]

I am still trying to determine if a later year model carrier will work. My housing looks good.

[djgebert]

I was told they were the same all the way up till 86' I believe. The 76' should be the same, I had a 74' rear end and the carrier was the same as my 71'.

[68Stepbed]

Any "Truck" 12 bolt carrier will work. The carriers are all the same. The car 12 bolt carriers are different. There are, however, different axle widths. My advice is to find another 4 series 12 bolt truck(sometimes referred to as 12T) carrier and replace it.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

If you replace the carrier you will have to set the pinion depth & tooth contact. Tuff job on that kind of trans. I'm with Downs. Get the whole rear end from a 71-72. You probably will get one with 3.08 gears to give you a good highway gear.

[djinva]

My axles are good, my housing is good with new wheel cylinders, shoes and brake lines and my truck has an overdrive tranny so I don't need a highway gear, I would rather just replace the carrier. Not many 67-72 trucks around, but I know where there are several later models.

Is a 4x4 carrier the same as long as it is a 12 bolt?

[2500HD]

Reverse engineer it. Go to Jegs or Summit and see what Part nummbers fit what years. I suspect all truck 12 bolts are the same regardless of 4X4 or 4X2.

I have done the new ring gear and pinion....... not fun while still under the truck. Next time I will remove the rearend so I am not sitting under the truck for hours on end.

[djinva]

Originally Posted by 2500HD

Reverse engineer it. Go to Jegs or Summit and see what Part nummbers fit what years. I suspect all truck 12 bolts are the same regardless of 4X4 or 4X2.

I have done the new ring gear and pinion....... not fun while still under the truck. Next time I will remove the rearend so I am not sitting under the truck for hours on end.

That's a great idea. Thanks

The rear is out of the truck to make life a little easier.

[68Stepbed]

4x4 and 4x2 are the same. All 12 bolt truck rears have the same carrier.

[2500HD]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

4x4 and 4x2 are the same. All 12 bolt truck rears have the same carrier.

I agree.

[djinva]

Well I found a deal on a rear today. I knew it was 1 1/2 narrower, but I was going to use my housing and axles. I ran into a snag. the axles in my truck are fine spline and the axles in the one I bought are course spline. So I either need to find some axle gears or try to put the narrower rear under my truck. It has 6 lug wheels so I would have to get the axles drilled for the 5 bolt pattern.

I have a couple of questions.

1. any idea what my new rear is out of, it is narrower, has course spline axles and the panard bar mounts differently?

2. if i put this one under my truck will the narrower width be noticable?

[djinva]

Here is a photo of the 2 axles