Deciding on 12 bolt limited slip

[Obwonkonobe]

Found a good deal on what should be a working limited slip 12 bolt carrier. But before I go and buy it I want to be sure I have my facts straight, and the rest of the internet is pretty scarse for info.

So currently I have a 12 bolt rear in my c10 with 3.08 open gears. I found a "12 bolt limited slip carrier" on craigslist, says it had 3.73s on it and came out of a 75 truck rearend like mine. Should my 3.08 gear set just bolt right to it, and then I bolt the new carrier in place? From my understanding if I keep the gearset the same it should all work out so I don't have to shim it. Should the axles just slide out, then I unbolt the side bearings, then remove the carrier, transfer the ring gear to the limited slip, and bolt it back up? If anyone could point me to an article or something I missed I'd appreciate it, thanks

 

[Obwonkonobe]

There's a pic

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Snoots]

Should my 3.08 gear set just bolt right to it

Yes

and then I bolt the new carrier in place

Not without checking shims.

if I keep the gearset the same it should all work out so I don't have to shim it

BS. Your carrier is not the same. Minor differences. That's why shims.

Always use gear dye to check the 'footprint' of the gears before calling it a day. Shim until its right.

You'll likely need a new crush sleeve on the pinion too.

 

[Rusty Nail]

I second new crush sleeve.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Yes



Not without checking shims.



BS. Your carrier is not the same. Minor differences. That's why shims.

Always use gear dye to check the 'footprint' of the gears before calling it a day. Shim until its right.

You'll likely need a new crush sleeve on the pinion too.

Precisely this, there is almost 0 chance you put all the same shims back in and it just works. You'll also need a new pinion seal and crush sleeve.

This is why the Lock Rite and SPartan lockers are so popular, they just pop in, no upsetting the gears.

 

[CSFJ]

Nah, it'll be fine. Man up. Bolt that **** in and run it. Don't listen to these guys. What would they do on Roadkill?

 

[4WDKC]

isnt the 12 bolt weaker than the 10 bolt?

 

[Obwonkonobe]

Nah, it'll be fine. Man up. Bolt that **** in and run it. Don't listen to these guys. What would they do on Roadkill?

You have no idea how tempted I am to do that, but its my daily and itll see freeway use lots over the summer for my job

 

[Obwonkonobe]

Yes



Not without checking shims.



BS. Your carrier is not the same. Minor differences. That's why shims.

Always use gear dye to check the 'footprint' of the gears before calling it a day. Shim until its right.

You'll likely need a new crush sleeve on the pinion too.

Good info thank you, il probably just keep the opens for now

 

[Rusty Nail]

Nah, it'll be fine. Man up. Bolt that **** in and run it. Don't listen to these guys. What would they do on Roadkill?

It IS a Chevrolet...you ought be able to fix it WITH A SHOVEL.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Your old shims will get you close, then smear some white lithium grease on the ring gear teeth to check the pattern. Google "ring and pinion mesh pattern" and hit images and it will give you examples of good and bad patterns. Setting backlash is where you will likely have trouble if you don't have a dial indicator, and pinion bearing preload if you don't have an in/lb torque wrench. You can re-use the crush sleeve, just put it on the horn of an anvil or vise and hammer the "crush" section to lengthen it.

 

[Snoots]

Nah, it'll be fine. Man up. Bolt that **** in and run it. Don't listen to these guys. What would they do on Roadkill?

We'd make a more interesting show. And, we're much better looking.

If you can get your hands on a GOOD 12 bolt punkin for a decent price by all means do so.

You'll be glad you did someday.

 

[ali_c20]

I changed from open diff to limited slip and reused my gears. Check that you have a good mesh pattern on the gears and the right backlash. It's not rocket sience, your done with it in half a day.

 

[malibuman402]

you dont need to remove the pinion to put a different carrier in it. check gear mesh and backlash.

 

[78C10BigTen]

Found a good deal on what should be a working limited slip 12 bolt carrier. But before I go and buy it I want to be sure I have my facts straight, and the rest of the internet is pretty scarse for info.

So currently I have a 12 bolt rear in my c10 with 3.08 open gears. I found a "12 bolt limited slip carrier" on craigslist, says it had 3.73s on it and came out of a 75 truck rearend like mine. Should my 3.08 gear set just bolt right to it, and then I bolt the new carrier in place? From my understanding if I keep the gearset the same it should all work out so I don't have to shim it. Should the axles just slide out, then I unbolt the side bearings, then remove the carrier, transfer the ring gear to the limited slip, and bolt it back up? If anyone could point me to an article or something I missed I'd appreciate it, thanks

I am too in the same boat as my 12 bolt LS (3.08) is in many pieces and is essentially an open right now. But im looking to go quick and easy being mines 2wd and swap in a 10 bolt 3.73 LS whole rear end and be done. (Swapping out axles from 6 lug to 5 of course)