S10 front diff in AWD astro???

[scarecrow]

will a S10 front diff bolt into a AWD astro? i know the R&P is the same but what about the whole housing?

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Yes it will as long as you go with a similar year. Do not use the support bracket on the right side axle tube. Use the one from the Astro.

[Roadstar01]

Hello I noticed that this is an older thread but I'm hoping it reaches you or someone who can answer my question reference using the Safari front diff passenger side extended axle tube assembly with mounting bracket to frame in place of the S10 extended splined axle with tube.
My safari is a 2001 AWD I am installing a front diff from a donor 2003 S10 4x4 ZR2.
I measured everything and it does match could it be because the S10 has the actuator and the stand alone Safari differential does not?
Also there is a significant difference on how the front drive shaft connects to the differential on the Safari as we know it uses a flat for both flange however this donor differential from the S10 has a U joint. Can I simply unbolt the u joint connection and my four bolt flat flange and install the Safari front diff flat flange connection to the donor s10? I will be tearing into it to rebuild it etc so if the distance is not going to be the same to match my drive shaft and allow the yoke to slip in and out of the transfer case, can I install the entire flat flange spline assembly into the S10 differential?