is there a difference

Anyone know if the rear differential gears are different for a 5 speed vs. Auto transmission for same year 1st gen?

 

Depends on a lot of things. Options of the truck particularly.
Most are 4.10's.
Some were 3.58's, 3.90's, 4.30's and even 4.56's.
4.56's only came with 2.7 auto with 31's, while a manual would have 4.10's, and the 3.4 auto and manual would have 4.10's.


What are you trying to do?

 

Recently did engine+trans swap. Truck had automatic, now it has 5 speed. Seems like rpms running higher at top end. Also just took rear diff out and saw painted numbers on side of gear. Made me wonder..

 

The automatic has a much taller overdrive than the manual's 5th gear.
Here is the gear codes, which you'll find on your door sticker.

 

If I'm reading codes right the 96 2.7 auto gears are 456. The 95.5 has 358 gears. Am I reading code right.And your opinion on whether I should switch because of trans swap. Oh yeah, code for 96 was B04A. 95 is B02A.

 

I would keep the 4.56's in the truck. They'll be perfect if you ever want to step up to 32's or 33's.
Nothing wrong with having slightly higher rpm's. You're further up in the power band of the engine.
If you don't like that, I'd recommend going to 4.10's. I wouldn't go all the way back to the 3.58's. They're highly undesirable.

 

Cool! Really appreciate all your help. That truck does not do a lot of highway anyway.Those bucket seats only good for a couple hrs of highway before back starts hurting. Got a Sequoia for that.Thanks again.