So I have a 83 limited edition with small bearings, and a spare 84 GSL-SE rear. I want to retain my lug pattern for the LE wheels but use the lsd ring and pinion from the GSL-SE rear is this possible? I have searched for a few days and come up short. I know I could just find a gsl rear, but funds are tight and some searching hasn't turned up anything in my area. Thanks

 

rind an pinion are swappable, but the differentials are not.

hope it helps

 

Cool, I wasn't sure if the axles were different between the two. And why wouldn't the differentials be swappable? I get I would loose my lug pattern but all I would need is a 84-85 drive shaft, other then those two things the rears are the same. And thanks for the reply!

 

The axles are different between the earlier small bearing models and the later 84 and up models (83 1/2 or something was the switchover) They had a larger bearing on the axles, and thus the axle housing itself is larger to accommodate the bearing.

The drive shaft flange is also different, with the big bearing rears having a larger flange and had through holes. The drive shaft secured with bolts and nuts. Earlier flanges had threaded holes.

You cannot use the differential from a earlier model as the spline count on the axle shafts is different. The older axles would not mesh with the differential.

 

ok, thanks for clearing that up. So I guess my only option is to find a GSL rear.

 

Ok heres a similar question, could I put the front of my diff on a later model diff so i can keep the same drive shaft?

 

Yes you can put the other flange on a later model pinion. You would need to check the diff is adjusted correctly afterward.

 

like sgt fox said, but trying to clear it up a bit

the axle's housings and differentials are different to accommodate the larger axles and bearings.
the actual ring and pinion itself are swappable though you would have to get a new crush washer and bearings to install into older style housing, and adjust for the right amount of backlash

 

Clarification.

83 models use the same drive shaft as the 84-85 models.

79-82 have the smaller pinion flange.

 

I thought it changed 83 1/2 but 83 was the same as before. Well I got a broken driveshaft to see if it will fit before I swap.

 

Nope.

83-85 = big flange (with bolts/nuts)
84-85 = big bearing

 

Hey, Kent. Will the whole third member from a GSL-SE 4.10 diff fit into a 84-85 GSL 3.91 rear end? Basically I am want to run the 4.10 gear in my 84 GSL rear end.

 

Yup. Bolt 'n go. The housings are the same on all the S3 disc rears. The axles are also the same except for the GSL-SE axles being a bit longer (so the your GSL axles will work with the GSL-SE LSD and/or ring and pinion.

Count the teeth on the SE ring and pinion. I have seen some different ratios floating around depending on when the SE was made. If the SE stuff is out to where you can count the teeth, see what you are working with before you do the swap. If I remember correctly, the late SEs also had the 3.91 rear. So, make sure you are getting what you expect.

Just checked the microfiche. The GSL-SE ratios are:
- up to Nov. 84 production = 4.076
- Dec. '84 and later = 3.909

 

Cool deal. I'll see what I can come up with. Thanks Kent.

 

So a buddy of mine just hooked me up with a set of 84 GSL rear axles complete with calipers and rotors So I will swap those in to my spare GSL-SE rear and be good I hope!! Should I replace carrier berings when I pull rear apart?