I have returned

[Electrickian]

I used to be on here fairly regularly about 2 or 3 years ago. I used another screen name then. A few of you may remember MagicianElectrician. Well, hello again! I'm working on getting my 2005 Z71 rolling. My 2002 LT was in a wreck and has frame damage so I bought a used 05 Z71 minus the motor for $500. With a clean title. My brother and I already got the engine & tranny swapped into it, but not too sure what all I'm facing making it work since my LT was RWD and obviously a Z71 is 4WD. Plan is to keep the RWD drivetrain as it has the limited slip rear end. Anybody wanna chime in on that?

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome back from Miami&NYC!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome back! I cannot provide advice on your question, but other more knowledgeable folks will chime in.

 

[swathdiver]

Welcome back!

If both trucks have the same axle ratio, just swap axles if you want the new truck to have the G80. They both "should" have the same universal joint size.

If they don't, you could pull the G80 carrier from the donor and put your ring gear on it and bolt it back up and just verify that the backlash is still the same as when you took it out. It ought to be.

 

[Electrickian]

Welcome back!

If both trucks have the same axle ratio, just swap axles if you want the new truck to have the G80. They both "should" have the same universal joint size.

If they don't, you could pull the G80 carrier from the donor and put your ring gear on it and bolt it back up and just verify that the backlash is still the same as when you took it out. It ought to be.

I understood most of that. I'll relay that to my mechanic brother. He'll know exactly what you're talking about there. Ty sir

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome back to the forum, from Oregon.

 

[Electrickian]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I believe the last time I was here I was working on my 2002 Tahoe gauge cluster. In my search for overlays and parts for them, most of the stuff I found was for the 03-06 clusters. (Which do seem to be some of the nicest looking ones I've found online). So I was wanting to even the score a bit and make a 99-02 that's above and beyond. And maybe even so nice it would have guys who have been thinking of buying the 03-06 wire harness cluster adapters for their 99-02 trucks to decide otherwise. Because theirs can be made just as nice. And I think I'm on the right path with it now. This is an unfinished early preview. It's coming. Soon

https://flic.kr/p/2rVdHRQ

 

[strutaeng]

Hey! Welcome back!

Sorry about your truck. Hopefully everyone is okay [praying emoji]

Yeah, I remember your other posts. If you message an administrator, they may be able to reset your old profile or merge it with your current one, I think?

 

[Electrickian]

Physically, yes we were both ok, but I was pretty emotionally messed up over it. It was at the point of becoming a really nice truck with all I was doing to it. And my brother helped me get it running good so it was like he was let down too. But, water under the bridge

 

[Electrickian]

Welcome back!

If both trucks have the same axle ratio, just swap axles if you want the new truck to have the G80. They both "should" have the same universal joint size.

If they don't, you could pull the G80 carrier from the donor and put your ring gear on it and bolt it back up and just verify that the backlash is still the same as when you took it out. It ought to be.

I'm guessing the Z71 rear end is a limited slip differential like the G80, yes?

 

[BlackBearPerf]

Welcome back and glad to hear you guys were not harmed in the wreck!

 

[swathdiver]

I'm guessing the Z71 rear end is a limited slip differential like the G80, yes?

Trucks don't come with a "limited slip". G80 in a truck refers to what everyone calls a locker. In reality, it's a locking limited slip.

GMC trucks came with G80s as standard equipment (most generations) while it was optional in the Chevrolet brand.

If the axles are original and you still have access to the glove boxes, check the RPO sticker in them for G80 and the other "G" codes for the axle ratios like GU6, GT4, etc.

 

[strutaeng]

Yeah, the G80 is an automatic mechanical locker, not a true LSD. Or as @swathdiver put it...

And even some 2wd trucks had it as well...

My 99 extended cab 2wd has the G80. We still have spots of ice on areas under the shade. My rear driveway is on the weird twist cross-slope. I was only able to get back in because one wheel had traction and the G80 kicked in. My 06 Suburban 2500 2wd also has the G80 (14 bolt 9.5" SF variant).

 

[Electrickian]

Trucks don't come with a "limited slip". G80 in a truck refers to what everyone calls a locker. In reality, it's a locking limited slip.

Oh that's right. I said limited slip cuz I couldn't remember it was called a G80

 

[strutaeng]

Just about everyone calls the G80 a LSD...lol

It's probably because GM has also used the G80 RPO code for their muscle cars from the 70s, that actually did have real LSD.

"Positraction" just muddied the waters.

GM marketing department: Clear as mud!

 

[Electrickian]

Oh ok I see

 

[bryan8252]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I believe the last time I was here I was working on my 2002 Tahoe gauge cluster. In my search for overlays and parts for them, most of the stuff I found was for the 03-06 clusters. (Which do seem to be some of the nicest looking ones I've found online). So I was wanting to even the score a bit and make a 99-02 that's above and beyond. And maybe even so nice it would have guys who have been thinking of buying the 03-06 wire harness cluster adapters for their 99-02 trucks to decide otherwise. Because theirs can be made just as nice. And I think I'm on the right path with it now. This is an unfinished early preview. It's coming. Soon

https://flic.kr/p/2rU2Y2c

I have zero knowledge to pass on to you for your project, but welcome back!

Am I to understand that this picture is what the gauge cluster looked like in the early 00's? I love the look of that. Your dash will look great Electrickian! Give me a gauge cluster like that and physical buttons for most controls (lights, heat/cool, fan, volume) and a real shifter and now we're talking!

 

[Lezperado]

I used to be on here fairly regularly about 2 or 3 years ago. I used another screen name then. A few of you may remember MagicianElectrician. Well, hello again! I'm working on getting my 2005 Z71 rolling. My 2002 LT was in a wreck and has frame damage so I bought a used 05 Z71 minus the motor for $500. With a clean title. My brother and I already got the engine & tranny swapped into it, but not too sure what all I'm facing making it work since my LT was RWD and obviously a Z71 is 4WD. Plan is to keep the RWD drivetrain as it has the limited slip rear end. Anybody wanna chime in on that?

Welcome back! I don't have any advice for you either but I hope it all works out!