Looking for Differentials!

[JonDiBari]

Hi Everyone,

I have stumbled across the site here and there for about 5 years now....about time I made an account!

Well, I am currently faced with a hard decision.

I have a 2001 Tahoe with the 5.3 motor and 4 11 gears. I have gotten 222,000 faithful miles of service from her and it has been in my family since new.

It does need some work though. The parking brake finally wore out on the rear differential and there is a good deal of noise coming from the front even in 2WD. The steering wheel also feels strange and makes a noise when turning. I believe it is the half shafts that are shot in addition to the diff.

So, I am down to the problem: The front differential is bad. There are significant amounts of metal shavings every time I change the oil and like I said, it is noisy. It's toast. All original factory unit though!

I am considering purchasing a junkyard 4 11 differential to replace the front as they are cheap and it is easier just to replace the whole thing than to fix the little things.

I need to get 2 new half shafts (Need help on a recommended brand!) as the ones currently on are the original ones that came with the vehicle.

The rear isn't bad, surprisingly. The posi-unit is good and it is strong. Since I am fixing the brake, I am going to rebuild it and put in all new axles, etc. as most junkyards by me want $800 for a rear with 100,000 miles on it.


I may also consider switching over to the 3 73's as I do not need the truck for towing. That was why we got the gears in the first place.

I am torn. Stick with 4 11 or just swap out and go for 3 73's?

 

[Poppasmurf]

Seems to me it depends what you are towing and where you are towing. Heavy 10,000lbs plus loads through mountains-stay with 4:10, 5,000lbs on the flat-you could get away with 3:73. Check your RPM & gear at the highway speed you tow at for your load. If you are in the sweet spot it won't get any better- you could bugger it and end up having to travel in a lower trans gear if you go to 3:73. You have Tow/Haul for your trans?

 

[JonDiBari]

I do have Tow/Haul for my truck. I was looking into something other than the 4 11's since I don't tow much. My only towing needs are to drag a 19 foot boat across a flat road 2 miles to the beach. Nothing too demanding.


I've narrowed it down to the cost though as well. It may be cheaper to buy a used front diff since mine is shot and to just rebuild the rear since it is still good.

 

[Poppasmurf]

For that limited towing need you would be OK with 3:73 or even 3:55, as long as you are not a lead footed character. Acceleration will be a little lower, I guess whatever you get the best deal on.

 

[lamneth]

I have an 04 w/3.73; I regularly tow a 4,000# RV w/no problems in the eastern mountains. Towing a 19' boat should be no problem even with 3.42 gearing. Poppasmurf; the only Chevy full size SUV, according to the owners manual, that can tow 10K plus is a Suburban... towing that much weight with a Tahoe in my opinion would be rather foolish, if not dangerous...