3rd Gen or 4x4 Conversion?

http://www.brandywineupullit.com/veh_single/?stockno=08C175

Who's trying to go pull parts with me tomorrow?

 

Careful with a vehicle that's had front end damage.

Think it was @BartMaster1234 that had a bad torque converter or someone else...

 

I know pictures can be hard to tell but you think it would be that bad? I could try to get as much as I could and source the rest.

 

You can still source quite a few parts from that truck, especially since it's an 03-04 which is what you'd need.

Just take the whole truck.

 

I believe you can't buy new spindles for our trucks anymore, not stock ones anyway. Have to source them used but that's not hard, car-part.com will have them.

Solo Motorsports sells beefed up gusseted spindles with bearings all ready to go, for ~$2200. A worthy upgrade but definitely expensive

 

You can, but my post was skipped earlier lol

 

Weird I couldn't find them earlier, damn they are proud of those things lol. For that price they should come with bearings pressed in yeesh

 

Alright people, we have successfully gotten our first part!

Got a front differential today from a 2003 with 166k on it for $80!



Question time:
1. Do I need to rebuild it?
2. Since I am not doing ADD can I just unplug it and leave it or is there some sort of plug?
3. What is some good diff fluid?
4. CV axels to get?
5. Do I need a different ECU with manual hubs?

 

1. Spin the pinion flange - how does it feel, smooth with a bit of resistance? You can remove the tube and the cover of the clamshell to inspect the gears.

2. ADD isn’t manual so you’d have to have it plugged in depending on what style t case and hubs you get - j shift and manual hubs = no electrical needed

3. Eh - Google / ECGS recommends dino

4. Depends on hubs

5. Not if you have a j shift transfer case and maybe not if you have push button and wire it so you don’t need one

 

Thanks for the catch, I am NOT doing ADD because I do not want to mess with the wiring. How do I plug it up? And since no ADD no need to swap a new ECU?

Should I buy the CV axels after I get the hubs?

Thanks!

 

If you scroll through the first pages, you'll see we've answered some of these questions for you. But I'll bite and answer again.

1. Rebuild it if you desire; I would if I had to get it regeared to match the rear diff on the current truck. May as well add a locker if you're going to off road.

2. You'll need to plug it in unless you're going with manual hubs; the diff is the same on either setup its just the tube extending from the diff that changes. You can lock it in the "engaged" position with a hose clamp if going manual hubs that way it works similar to the manual diff tube.

4. OEM reman

5. You are missing information in order to answer that for you.

 

I'll let someone else answer the ECU question; in theory you shouldn't if you decide to go j shift, which you never said if you were or not.

But there's a possibility you need one just due to the drive by wire setup? That's where I'll let someone more knowledgeable answer.

Do state if you're going j shift or push button; that's pertinent to know.

As for hubs or axles, just buy what comes up. No particular order since you can't use one without the other anyway.

 

For the record I am doing a J-Shift & Manual Locking hub conversion.

 

I'd do a search if I were you to find the threads on 2003-04 conversions; you won't need the ECU based on the conversion type you're doing but again...I can't say if you need it due to your drive by wire.

 

Just asked another owner who is doing a swap and he says if you are using a j shift trans you do not need to change the ECU.

 

All you need is mechanical stuff if you lock the jack shaft.

 

Had a good time with @KidWithATacoma pulling parts this morning. He has some great plans in store for his rig. Look forward to helping and leaning on this journey with him.

 

add 12v to the pin to actuate the transfer case and then if you’re doing locking hubs they won’t actually engage until you lock the hubs, I had an ADD and Jshift but didn’t want to do the wiring so just left it locked, I’d didnt have any issues.

 

My plan is to keep it locked so I don't have to do the wiring

 

yeah just put power to the pin and you’ll be good to go!