Can You Put a 4wd Front Differential in a AWD Model?

[Jeffdylanproctor]

Can you put a 4wd Front Differential in a AWD model?

I have a 2004 Escalade 6.0 AWD and I was driving it home on a 13 hour trip in 98F weather and coming down a mountain my front differential overheated, blew a bunch of fluid out, and..well... now it leaks really badly and you can hear the bearings in it. I didn't plan on pushing it that hard, but my pregnant wife was ready to get home so I guess the differential paid the price.

I have a neighbor with a front differential out of a suburban that he will let me have for $150, and I was wondering if it would work in my Escalade.

Is the only difference that I have to remove the actuator and fabricate something to lock the passenger side axle in place? Or are there other issues that would make it not a good choice?

Thanks

 

[SpareParts]

I just removed a 4WD front diff outta my AWD someone put in it. So yes it can be done.
Check YouTube, there are videos.

 

[Jeffdylanproctor]

Awesome, I guess I'll give it a shot

 

[swathdiver]

Awesome, I guess I'll give it a shot

Watch this from the 7 minute mark:

 

[rockola1971]

No difference between a 4wd and AWD front diff other than the passenger side stubout housing. You can swap yours over to the 4wd unit OR just use the 4wd unit with part below to lock 4wd in and essentially making it an AWD unit. Might have to change some bearings and seal out in your stubout because of the overheating incident of course.

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[Tonyrodz]

Also make sure the gear ratio is the same as yours.

 

[swathdiver]

No difference between a 4wd and AWD front diff other than the passenger side stubout housing. You can swap yours over to the 4wd unit OR just use the 4wd unit with part below to lock 4wd in and essentially making it an AWD unit. Might have to change some bearings and seal out in your stubout because of the overheating incident of course.

Pardon Our Interruption

You didn't watch the video! LOL

 

[SpareParts]

Mine and LTT's were done the wrong way that leaves it with no clip holding the stub axle in.
If you are locking it in using the kit Rockola posted in effect all you are doing is permanently making the actuator always engaged without the actuator. I would think it would be fine.

 

[rockola1971]

You didn't watch the video! LOL

The 4WD unit will work perfectly as AWD unit with the actuator replacement lock. Doesnt matter if the axle has a circlip lock or not.