Noob Question: Feasible To Install Center-locking Diff?

[ard]

Hi,

 

fairly new to this forum. I recently picked up a 1997 K2500 SLT - great vehicle, except it doesn't have a locking center differential which I would have really wanted.

 

So, is it feasible (I don't say "possible" because really anything is possible, but sometimes the $$$'s involved don't make sense) to install a center differential?

 

I figure since it was a factory option for 1997 it should be doable to install one.

 

Assuming it is feasible, what is the consensus of experts on this forum - find a used factory center differential, have it serviced / rebuilt, or go with an aftermarket brand? If the latter, which brands are considered worthwhile spending money on.

 

Thanks in advance

 

/alex

[Z45]

Center differential? I assume you mean the rear differential?

 

The cheapest way would be to find one from a salvage yard. Buy the complete axle assembly and just change it over. I have had new trucks changed over to locking diff, when they were not that way on the lot. I had the dealer do it, cost me about $400 for the unit and another $200 to install, on a 1500.

 

You will get varying opinions on after market units BUT decide what you want it to do with it. Buying one designed mostly for off-road use to only drive on highway will have disadvantages. The stock GM unit is very good for highway use.

[ard]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I actually meant locking center differential, which I thought was a factory option. Your point about staying "application-specific" is well taken. Truck sees mostly winter usage in the snow and relatively little highway use. I have a steep driveway to tackle and when it gets snowed in, I am finding that even in 4LO I get the rear tires to spin while the fronts don't turn much. I really want to be able to lock all 4 wheels together just to tackle a steep hill.

 

Feel free to correct me if I have my terminology wrong, by the way. And I do appreciate your comment on a locking rear differential. Do you happen to know what the RPO code on that is?

 

Thanks

 

/alex

[Ranger]

G80 is the rear locking diff, and front lockers aren't recommended as you will not be able to turn very well...I'd either upgrade the tires with studded treads, snow chains, or plow the driveway more often.

[BuckFeverZ]

You're either talking about the front differential or rear differential. There is no 'center' differential. If you're talking about the rear, I'd go with the Detroit Tru-Trac instead of the GM G80 Gov-Bomb. If you're talking about the front, I wouldn't advise putting a locker up there. When you turn, the inside wheel will start to bind causing things to break since both wheels want to turn at the same speed when the differential is locked.

[ard]

Thank you for clarifying about there being no 'center' differential - I was severely misinformed.

 

I checked the RPO codes in the glove box and it DOES list G80 as an option.

 

I am confused though - I had read (elsewhere) that G80 can refer both to a limited slip - non-locking rear differential or an Eaton G80 locking differential. Am I wrong about that too? Truck is a 1997 K2500. If I do indeed have a locking diff, I suspect it may not be working any longer (bought the truck with ~130K miles on the odometer). I had read that when the G80 units go bad, more often than not they stayed 'locked up' rather than failing to lock. The reason I say that it may not be working any longer is that the right rear tire spins while the left one doesn't seem to turn.

 

Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

/alex

[2000DV4.8]

Thank you for clarifying about there being no 'center' differential - I was severely misinformed.

 

I checked the RPO codes in the glove box and it DOES list G80 as an option.

 

I am confused though - I had read (elsewhere) that G80 can refer both to a limited slip - non-locking rear differential or an Eaton G80 locking differential. Am I wrong about that too? Truck is a 1997 K2500. If I do indeed have a locking diff, I suspect it may not be working any longer (bought the truck with ~130K miles on the odometer). I had read that when the G80 units go bad, more often than not they stayed 'locked up' rather than failing to lock. The reason I say that it may not be working any longer is that the right rear tire spins while the left one doesn't seem to turn.

 

Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

/alex

 

I believe, not positive, but I believe that the G80 code referencing a limited slip is in vehicles other than a fullsize truck (like a car ).

[Mike G]

Now I can be corrected if I am mistaken here. If you jack up the rear and turn one of the tires, if the other tire turns the same direction, it has a locking rear.

--Mike