Author Topic: Differential swap? 85 Silverado  (Read 4061 times)

Offline empire848

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Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« on: January 22, 2015, 01:08:16 pm »
Hey guys,

I got an 85 Silverado 2wd. with a shot rear end.
was just wondering which years I could possibly swap with?
would really appreciate some feedback.

Thanks.

Offline timthescarrd

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2015, 01:49:25 pm »
There is a very broad range as far as years go.  If you are wanting a direct bolt in swap, we need a little more info.  Is your truck a C10, C20, or C30 (1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton)? Single rear wheel or dually? What gears do you have? 5-lug, 8-lug? Limited-Slip?

Generally most of the 82-87 stayed the same, C10 and C20 rear ends could swap with little work needed

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2015, 02:45:32 pm »
if you go with a c20 or c30 then you will have different lug nuts 5 vs 8. you should have the corporate 10 bolt like said it can be found under 83-87 (maybe 82 idk). ratio would matter only to keep your speedometer right.
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Offline empire848

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2015, 04:12:21 pm »
Hey guys,

I got an 85 Silverado 2wd. with a shot rear end.
was just wondering which years I could possibly swap with?
would really appreciate some feedback.

Thanks.
There is a very broad range as far as years go.  If you are wanting a direct bolt in swap, we need a little more info.  Is your truck a C10, C20, or C30 (1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton)? Single rear wheel or dually? What gears do you have? 5-lug, 8-lug? Limited-Slip?

Generally most of the 82-87 stayed the same, C10 and C20 rear ends could swap with little work needed
I apologize for the lack of info. it's a c10, 1/2 ton, single, gear ratio 373, 5 lug no limited slip.

Offline timthescarrd

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2015, 05:44:09 pm »
No problem, so yeah, any c10 from definitely 83-87 (i think 82 also but not certain) is going to be a direct swap.  If you change gears it will affect acceleration, top speed, RPMs@MPH, and your speedometer.  A standard GM G80 posi would swap in with no addition if you want.

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2015, 06:33:24 pm »
Any 78-87 with a 10 bolt will swap.
A 73-81 12 bolt will swap also but will require a hybrid u-joint.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Differential swap? 85 Silverado
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2015, 08:53:16 pm »
im going to have to change my years ;-), i was going off one chart instead of a more reliable business
http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/DiffList.aspx?SearchMode=Cat&CatID=35&MakeID=3&ModelID=537&Side=Rear&DriveType=RWD
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes