Chevy & GMC Vans

No tags on the front diff to see. Gonna have to split the case to find out for sure.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:No tags on the front diff to see. Gonna have to split the case to find out for sure.

Good deal, I take it same deal as the rear, take the first number divide it by the second and you get the ration.

Il try to get on that tonight. Third time taking that thing out should be a breeze hehe.

Yup. For example, the numbers will be 12 and 41 for 3.42 ratio. 41/12=3.417 or 3.42.

Well boys sure enough.

The front diff is definitely 3.73 and my rear is a 3.42.

Going to the junk yard tomorrow to pick up a 3.42 front and finally get my van running hehe.

Yeah, get all the tires the same. I had one different cause i had a nail and borrowed a spare. Drove a short time and got a bad reaction and just pulled off. Changed the tire to the right size and it was all fixed. That was on my 91 years ago.

Ok,

Finally picked up a 3:42 diff, right off of a cash for clunkers car hehe.

If anyone is interested in a 1993 3:73 front differential with 89k miles on it let me know.

I live in Chicago IL

email:skipl1983@yahoo.com

$200 bucks takes it. Im not sure how willing I am to ship it since its just like a slab of steel hehe.

Well guys.

Last night I finally got the front 3.42 in, filled up the front and rear with mobile1 75-80 synthetic and took her for a test drive.

The car finally drives smooth ass hell, no shaking, no rattling nothing I was amazed and happy finally hehe.

Only thing I noticed today on my 40 mile drive to work and you really have to listen for it, is a sound kind like a snow plow on the cement, but Im pretty sure that's just the rear drums making that nose, since I know the whole rear axle came from a junk yard so the thing probably never had its drums change, but Im also going to check the tire pressures since I know that on these cars it makes a huge difference.

Either way Im going to my mechanic guy today to have him check it out, but other then that like I said she runs smoooooth hehe.

Congrats!

So, I really think this van hates me hehe.

Nothing really crazy, the car runs have been driving it for a lil over 200 miles now. But that noise that I thought was my rear drums, well I was wrong hehe. Its a steady sound it doesn't speed up or slow down at all and sounds like Im dragging something behind me or kind of like a plow on the street sound. I'm suspecting either axle bearings or carrier bearings. Man this thing will just never let me win.

Other then that all the other parts I put in work just fine. Hopefully the rear can hold up until I can drive her home tonight and rip the bitch apart tomorrow morning.

Quick question is there a rear end with a 3.42 gear I can grab from another Chevy that's maybe much more beefier then the stock one and doesn't require much customization to put in?

Thanks for all the help.

There is no easy rear end you can put in these vans. With some work and cash you can install 12 bolts, 9", Dana 60's etc. Make sure whatever you do, you get a diff with an offset pinion to clear the gas tank.

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:There is no easy rear end you can put in these vans. With some work and cash you can install 12 bolts, 9", Dana 60's etc. Make sure whatever you do, you get a diff with an offset pinion to clear the gas tank.

Hmm never mind in that case, Il just replace this whole rear end assembly on this one.

Thanks.

sxfx wrote:

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:There is no easy rear end you can put in these vans. With some work and cash you can install 12 bolts, 9", Dana 60's etc. Make sure whatever you do, you get a diff with an offset pinion to clear the gas tank.

Hmm never mind in that case, Il just replace this whole rear end assembly on this one.

Thanks.

Why not just put your money to better use, and have the one you got properly rebuilt? Jim

astroturf wrote:

sxfx wrote:

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:There is no easy rear end you can put in these vans. With some work and cash you can install 12 bolts, 9", Dana 60's etc. Make sure whatever you do, you get a diff with an offset pinion to clear the gas tank.

Hmm never mind in that case, Il just replace this whole rear end assembly on this one.

Thanks.

Why not just put your money to better use, and have the one you got properly rebuilt? Jim

Actually my friend that's exactly what Im going to do hehe.

I was thinking why in the world would I get another one from a junk yard, where it could just develop the same problem in god knows how soon, where as if I get it rebuild with proper clearances and everything, Il have one that's just like new and under warranty ..

Good to hear. Jim

sxfx wrote:So, I really think this van hates me hehe.

Its a steady sound it doesn't speed up or slow down at all and sounds like Im dragging something behind me or kind of like a plow on the street sound. I'm suspecting either axle bearings or carrier bearings.
Thanks for all the help.

If the sound starts as soon as you are moving, I'd guess pinion bearing. If you hear it more once you are moving faster, it could be a wheel bearing, or less likely, a carrier bearing. I kind of think that a bad pinion bearing sounds like how really rough mud tires sound on pavement.

Pinion bearings are a little tricky, but not impossible. You will need some special tools, including a press. I don't like to set the preload unless the axle is out of the van with the pinion pointing strait up, but it can be done in the van.