[Ronnander]

I have a 96 2wd Blazer non pozi. I'm taking it out west where there will be a lot of ice and snow. Does the 4wd and the 2wd have the same carrier and the same diameter ring gear? Are the axles the same splines? I found a 2001 4wd with a posi. Is it possible to replace my carrier with this later model posi unit. also can I replace my drum brakes with the rear disc brakes on this unit?

 

[mateo442]

It absolutely is. It should be a relatively easy swap. Save the Ebrake stuff from the 4wd just in case. Everything else should bolt up. The rear on the 4wd is likely wider than what is in your truck now, so the wheels will stick out a little more. There are plenty of threads on here discussing it. It's probably faster to swap the whole axle than to just do parts of it.

 

[Ronnander]

Didn't want to replace the housing because it's wider. I wanted to replace the carrier with the posi unit in it. I wanted to know if the carrier will fit my 2wd and are the axle splines the same.

 

[oldeerslayer]

If you have the tools and knowledge to be swapping carriers, go for it. Both should be 28 spline. Later rear ends with disc brakes use a different part number axle, tho. I seem to remember a need to shim the backing plate when doing the swap to discs. Do a search. The rear disc brake swap has been discussed a thousand times in great detail.

 

[Brawndo]

Only a suggestion: Lunchbox type locker is simple. Few people make them. I have used several on projects and work well for me.
Spartan Locker

 

[Innate]

Another thing to think about: I drive in snow and ice, over 50 yrs of it. I've had positraction differentials of different types, with and without 4wd. I don't get enthused about posi on ice or snow so much any more - I find that a good new set of true ugly knobby snow tires, especially with studs (not "mud and snow, or M&S", or all season), makes a far bigger difference. If it was me, whether I had posi or not, I'd get the snow tires. They howl at highway speeds, and you can't run them in summer, but they may save your day/trip.

 

[PeteD]

I have a 96 2wd Blazer non pozi. I'm taking it out west where there will be a lot of ice and snow. Does the 4wd and the 2wd have the same carrier and the same diameter ring gear? Are the axles the same splines? I found a 2001 4wd with a posi. Is it possible to replace my carrier with this later model posi unit. also can I replace my drum brakes with the rear disc brakes on this unit?

Clutch and locker type diffs can cause uncontrolled skid when both rear tires on same slippery surface. Tis why OEs quit using same. Torque split types like Torsen or TrueTrac are best in non ECM controlled TRACTION/STABILITY system equipped vehicle.

 

[Ronnander]

If you have the tools and knowledge to be swapping carriers, go for it. Both should be 28 spline. Later rear ends with disc brakes use a different part number axle, tho. I seem to remember a need to shim the backing plate when doing the swap to discs. Do a search. The rear disc brake swap has been discussed a thousand times in great detail.

I'm new here, this is my first post. I'm a retired ASE certified Master tech. Been out of the loop for a while so I won't pretend to know what's going on with the newer models but I do have the tools and knowledge to do the carrier swap. Any information on the disc brake conversion would be helpful. Not sure where to look for that. I wanted to know if the carriers would interchange and if the axles had the same number of splines. You were a great help there. Thank You.

 

[Ronnander]

Clutch and locker type diffs can cause uncontrolled skid when both rear tires on same slippery surface. Tis why OEs quit using same. Torque split types like Torsen or TrueTrac are best in non ECM controlled TRACTION/STABILITY system equipped vehicle.

I agree, that's why I wanted to go with the GM unit. Both wheels are free until one breaks loose and spins. I have used the TrueTrac in the past and it worked great. If I can't use the GM unit that will be my net option.

 

[Ronnander]

Only a suggestion: Lunchbox type locker is simple. Few people make them. I have used several on projects and work well for me.
Spartan Locker

This could be a good option

 

[Brawndo]

This could be a good option

Easy to install. No gear lash to set and it is reversible if you ever want too. Richmond Gear is one i have used several times in various projects. The shop at my work has used them in larger rough service oil field trucks for the dead simple install and long life.

 

[oldeerslayer]

Draw back to lunch box style lockers is they are usually locked and unlock for turning. That's the reason they can be noisy on turns. As @PeteD mentioned above on icy roads they can be difficult to deal with because both back tires would prefer to turn at the same speed. At highway speeds if you hit black ice or just a long icy patch the rear end wants to come around.
That's why GM uses the GovLoc differential in their trucks and SUV's. It has an internal device (the gov part of Govloc) that unlocks it at a relatively safe speed around 20-25 mph. Granted they aren't the best for drag racing, but that wasn't their intended purpose. Slippery roads was what they are designed for. They lockup when one wheel is turning faster than the other at low speed to get you going and then unlock once you start getting up to speed for safer highway driving.

 

[Life is a Enigma]

I would just change the differential to G80 locker. be a whole lot easier than swapping a whole rear end. all you need is a dial indicator to check the backlash after swapping .008-.012 the differential make sure it's within tolerance then you can use white grease to check the teeth pattern on the drive side and Coast side to make sure the teeth are riding where they should be on the ring gear.

 

[bshadynew]

... Does the 4wd and the 2wd have the same carrier and the same diameter ring gear? Are the axles the same splines? I found a 2001 4wd with a posi. Is it possible to replace my carrier with this later model posi unit. also can I replace my drum brakes with the rear disc brakes on this unit?

So, I'd love to know the answer to the direct analogue; that is, how plug 'n play and how difficult would it be to swap a partial or entire (F/R/F+R) set of ZR2 axles + suspension into a 4x4 LT?

 

[Ronnander]

So, I'd love to know the answer to the direct analogue; that is, how plug 'n play and how difficult would it be to swap a partial or entire (F/R/F+R) set of ZR2 axles + suspension into a 4x4 LT?

I found a 4wd Blazer in the salvage yard and got the carrier. Someone had already taken the axles so it made it easier for me. I want to do a disc brake conversion while I have it apart. I think I read somewhere that the 4wd rotors won't work on a drum to disc conversion, The backing plates have to be spaced out approximately 1/8 of an inch and front rotors are used on a conversion. Is this correct?