REAR END UPGRADES

[Junior_97]

I went with Yukon Gear and Axle. I had an authorized dealer/vendor do it so it would have the lifetime warranty.

Ring/pinion (3.73)
Complete master rebuild kit
Dura Grip limited slip

How much did that end up being? I’m kind of on a budget.

 

[Junior_97]

 

[Junior_97]

View attachment 348001

It has 3” spindles so I’m sure I’ll catch hell for the “baby squat” it’s got going on lol. It’s not perfect but so far it’s been very dependable considering it has almost 300k miles on the dash

 

[Tonyrodz]

Looks good for having 300k.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I think @PNW VietVet and @swathdiver are on point with their suggestions. The 9.5AXN axle can be found cheap, the G80 is durable in that platform and the axle will essentially bolt right in you Tahoe.

 

[Bill 1960]

Go to LKQOnline and look for 14-Bolt Saginaw 9.5" axles (RPO AXN) in RWD Escalades and Denalis (2007-2014), they all have 3.42 gears and G80. Just bought one for $289 plus tax but every area is different. LKQ even warrants it. So you have to tell them yours has a 9.5 with 3.42 gears.

We'll eventually install 3.73s in ours.

Is a rear driveshaft swap required with that upgrade? Usually a bigger diff means a shorter shaft.

 

[Mudsport96]

The 9.5 is a great upgrade, but my opinion is the 8.5/8.6 is plenty strong for stock to mild power levels. The govloc (g80) is the weak link. Get a good quality posi unit... trutrac, auburn spring type etc, and you'll be fine. I know there is a significant weight difference, but i have a 8.5 in my nova making 400ish at the crank and a 2400 stall converter pushing through a all stock 8.5 with a mini spool and havent hurt it in 10 years track or 8000 street miles.

 

[1BADI5]

How much did that end up being? I’m kind of on a budget.

Yeah it was not cheap, about $1500

On other GM trucks I just ordered an whole used axle assembly from LKQ online; that route cost me between $350-500 and then I installed the whole assembly

 

[Junior_97]

Looks good for having 300k.

Thanks man. I’ve got all kinds of parts for it but no place to do all the work atm..

 

[swathdiver]

Is a rear driveshaft swap required with that upgrade? Usually a bigger diff means a shorter shaft.

Nope. Same part number.

The 9.5 is a great upgrade, but my opinion is the 8.5/8.6 is plenty strong for stock to mild power levels. The govloc (g80) is the weak link. Get a good quality posi unit... trutrac, auburn spring type etc, and you'll be fine. I know there is a significant weight difference, but i have a 8.5 in my nova making 400ish at the crank and a 2400 stall converter pushing through a all stock 8.5 with a mini spool and havent hurt it in 10 years track or 8000 street miles.

Let's not forget that your Nova and my old Buicks weighed less than 4000 pounds in racing trim. We didn't need to beef up our axles until we were knocking on the doors of the 9s in the quarter mile. If memory serves, that was Moser axles with c-clip eliminators but I never even did that.