[Ralphie]

A buddy of mine has the limited slip 3.42 rear in his 2000 'Noma while I'm sittin with 3.08's in my 99. He bought some Richmond 3.73's from Summit and I was wondering if I could slap in those 3.42's or do I need a new carrier, both trucks are 4.3L ext cab ZQ8's. Thanks in advance.

 

[Twin-10s]

you will need a new 3 series carrier.

 

[MKR]

correct, you'll need a new carrier, but you should be able to get a torsen yet from slp for a decent price. just got 3 last week.

 

[HuTcH]

ummmm if its a stock Limited slip in an s-10 he will need a whole new rear end...
as it was nto offered in the 7 5/8 rear end only in the (i wanna say) 8"

 

[MKR]

the locking differential did come in the 7 5/8, but what you're referring to is the 8.625 which comes in the manual trans L35 equipped models (happen to be 3.08 only). his is an auto according to his sig, therefore, the small diff.

 

[HuTcH]

the locking differential did come in the 7 5/8, but what you're referring to is the 8.625 which comes in the manual trans L35 equipped models (happen to be 3.08 only). his is an auto according to his sig, therefore, the small diff.

wrong... it came in 3.42 and 3.73 as ordered... and in the later model second gens it was theonly stock limited slip... some of the early SS's had somethign similar to a zexel but that was about it

 

[Ralphie]

So are there any replacements for the 3.08 w/o changin the who rear end?

 

[MKR]

the only 3.42 and 3.73 to 8.625 diffs to come in s series were 4wd pickups and 2wd/4wd 2dr. utilities. 2wd pickup's were 3.08. gov-lock is the only verion of a limited slip diff used in utilities and trucks and was available in both small and large 10 bolt diffs.

 

[HuTcH]

if you say so the only gov lock i have seen stock iin a 96+ s-series was in the 8.6 all others were open and the 7 5/8 only had a gov lock in the SS for i want to say 94 and 95

and what you said may be true but you can always special order a rearend with whatever gear ratio you wanted form factory... and here it wasnt uncommon for the 3.42 to be in 2wd as well

 

[Twin-10s]

the gov loc was and is avalibale in 7.625 rearends. both of mine came with them my 98 is a 4.3 5 speed with 7.625 3.08 with the gov loc. my 03 is a 4.3 auto with 7.625 3.42 with a gov loc.

all you need is the 3.42 gears from a 7.625 and the carrier and a shim kit and have someone that know what they are doing.
the zexel will work fine with what u have.

 

[MINTSICK]

if you say so the only gov lock i have seen stock iin a 96+ s-series was in the 8.6 all others were open and the 7 5/8 only had a gov lock in the SS for i want to say 94 and 95

and what you said may be true but you can always special order a rearend with whatever gear ratio you wanted form factory... and here it wasnt uncommon for the 3.42 to be in 2wd as well

However you could not special order different gears for the 8.5" 10 bolt rearend in an s10, you get 3.08's or you get nothing.

 

[Ralphie]

So aside from all of this, is there anything I can do to keep my stock rearend and get different gearing?

 

[Twin-10s]

to use your buddys 3.42 gears you need a new carrier.
click here for where to get a zexel (3 series carrier.

to use your stock carrier you need differenet gears.
you can check www.richmondgear.com the p/n you need is
RMG-4900051 at www.summitracing.com these are 3.42 gears for a 2 series carrier.

 

[MKR]

the 3.42 was common, that is correct. it just wasn't common with the manual trans in a 2wd and an L35, you got a choice of a 3.08 or 3.08 due to the 8% less overdrive with the manual. the difference in getting the larger diff was the h.o. v6 over the standard output v6 (manual only).

 

[Twin-10s]

the 3.42 was common, that is correct. it just wasn't common with the manual trans in a 2wd and an L35, you got a choice of a 3.08 or 3.08 due to the 8% less overdrive with the manual. the difference in getting the larger diff was the h.o. v6 over the standard output v6 (manual only).

yep. :thumbup:

 

[Ralphie]

Awesome work guys, now the question is, is the 3.42 change worth it, or should I get the 3.73? Thanks!!

 

[Twin-10s]

Awesome work guys, now the question is, is the 3.42 change worth it, or should I get the 3.73? Thanks!!

i swapped in 3.42's for my stock 3.08's i think its worth it. definatly better bottom end and didn't kill the top end much at all. raised the rpm about 300 rpm cruising at 65 mph.
imo 3.73 with a 5 speed would be to much. 1st gear would be just about useless. just my 2 cents

 

[MKR]

for any kind of daily driving, i wouldn't go any more than 3.42 in it. i think you'd certainly like the difference. btw, don't forget about programming.

 

[MINTSICK]

3.73's would be about the limit for a street truck that I would go with an auto, 3.42's for the v6 5spd, 1st gear would be really useless with 3.73's.

 

[Ralphie]

Well I got the auto, anyway, should I also invest in some lmt. slip or what should I get if anything?