G80 Swap

[CMILLER94]

Hello all!
Brand new here trying to get reliable information.
I have a 2004 tahoe with 3.73s and I have the 2002 tahoe with 3.73s that my wife got in a big rollover wreck in. That being said. the 2002 had a G80 in it and the 2004 does not. Is it as simple as taking the diff out and putting my ring gear on it and slapping it back in, or so I have to go through the hassle to reshim/rebuild the rear? Forgive me being new to GM drivelines. I come from building Ford 8.8s in mustangs.

 

[Scottydoggs]

why not just swap the whole rear end? unless its bent or something. g80 is just a locker, other then traction its all the same to the truck.

side note, swapping ring and pinions is not for every one, need special dial indicator tools, its gonna go together and back out 20 times before its in spec.

 

[swathdiver]

As @Scottydoggs says, it will be easier to swap the whole differential over than to perform internal surgery.

If the differential was damaged but the carrier is ok, yes, you can swap carriers and should keep the same backlash. I did this once myself many many years ago.

We took the carrier out of my '85 Buick, removed the 3.42 ring gear and put it on the G80 carrier from a '80 Trans Am (3.08) and put it back in the Buick. Made hundreds more passes down the quarter mile without issue. I don't remember now but I reckon we took backlash readings before and after. Went from 14.71 to 14.31 first pass after the swap and on the last days of Moroso Motorsports in Hollywood. Ran quiet as a mouse too, just like before.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

As @Scottydoggs stated, rebuilding a rear end is not for beginners. I'm not saying that you could not do it, but rather it would be s time-consuming and frustrating project for you.

I recently changed over to 4.10 gears with a Detroit TruTrac from 3.42 gears and a G80, and I had a career transmission/axle guy perform the work. Even with 40+ years experience in building rear axles, it took him 5 tries to get it properly shimmed.