1996 Silverado

rottyr · April 5, 2015

Hi there.

I am new to the form.. I have a few questions. I have a 1996 k1500 Silverado..It has 410,000 kms on it. It was my brother in laws. He passed away and i want to keep the truck. He loved it. We were very close. This is a secondary truck so i have time to change it up. I was just given a 1998 Tahoe 1500 from a buddy because the tranny went. It has 230,000 klm on it. I wanted to swap the motor,rear end,transfer case, and front diff if i can. I know the rear diff fits. The problem is it is a 3.42 posi and i have a 3.73 posi. My buddy told me i have to swap the front diff as well. They have to match?. Also the Tahoe has nice leather seats. They are power and heated. My truck only has power. The plugs are different. My driver seat has 3 wires. 2 orange and 1 black. The Tahoe has 2 orange,1 yellow and 1 black. I would love to swap the seats as well.

So i need some help.. Can i swap all of these parts i am wanting to or ?. if so what will it take besides changing them.

Any help would be great

Thanks Bill

grampadirt · April 5, 2015

Can't help with the other stuff but both differentials MUST be geared the same,if not you're gonna hear a lot of bad sounds when you put it in 4wd.

rottyr · April 9, 2015

Can't help with the other stuff but both differentials MUST be geared the same,if not you're gonna hear a lot of bad sounds when you put it in 4wd.

If i change the rear and front diff will they both fit.I know the rear does. I also have a transfer case as well of a 1998 Tahoe. I have Tahoe i can take anything off i need. Just not sure if they will bolt up. I know the front axle's are different.

grampadirt · April 9, 2015

If i change the rear and front diff will they both fit.I know the rear does. I also have a transfer case as well of a 1998 Tahoe. I have Tahoe i can take anything off i need. Just not sure if they will bolt up. I know the front axle's are different.

Have a look at rockauto,it's where I go to compare parts for different year vehicles.

The transfer cases will have a round label riveted to them telling you what they are.

rottyr · April 9, 2015

They are different part numbers...It is bigger then the one i have. i am trying to figure out if they will fit on my truck and work with the donor truck parts. I can swap the cross member for the transfer case as well. Maybe i will just have to take everything off and have a good look. Maybe measure everything and what not ?. It is pretty much the same chassis so i think i will give it a try.

poncho62 · April 11, 2015

Both the 96 and 98s are OBS trucks (old body style), so most things are transferable, such as the seats and stuff. As for the power options, you may have to do so wire harness swapping to get stuff to work. I believe the 96-98 powertrains were the same, electronics wise, so should work for you.

I did read something about something changing on the adapter of the transfer cases around 97 or so...the number of bolts or something.....may want to check into that.