1995 Tahoe rear end/differential compatibility...HELPP!

**tahoe101** · 06-25-2008, 04:57 PM

Hey guys. Just registered here. I have a 1995 Tahoe and my differential just went down the drain yesterday with gear teeth missing and chunks all over. First question is, do you think its more cost effective to replace the differential gears or to replace the whole rear end? A friend of mine whom is a mechanic will be helping me here so im not brining it to a shop.

Second, if I am going to replace the rear end, can I use a Chevy 1500 pickup rear end instead of a tahoe rear?? I have the 10 bolt with clutch type limited slip and 3.73 gear ratio. Would the pickup rear be the same ratio? Has anyone had any experience doing a rear swap?

I only ask these questions because I am having a hard time finding a tahoe rear end at the junkyards. Anyone help would be great cause i need to get my hoe on the road soon. Thanks guys.

**tbplus10** · 06-25-2008, 08:13 PM

This question depends on your automotive skill level.
If you can do some auto work swapping the whole rear axle would probably be easier.
If you're an experienced mechanic with rear gear experience swapping the diff gears would be the cheapest route.
Both methods would take about the same time.

10 bolt gears/Diff are the same in the trucks, Tahoes, and Suburbans.
Have you tried looking online at new replacements?
Try randysringandpinion.com

**Pete95Sierra** · 06-26-2008, 12:23 AM

yea i agree with tim. if you know how to change gears its not to bad, and you can get new gears for relatively cheap. swapping in a new axle isnt too hard either if you know what your doing. and the 10 bolt axles are the same i believe in trucks and burbans and tahoes

**tahoe101** · 06-26-2008, 01:09 PM

Alright cool. Thanks for the replies guys. I figure Ill ask around at the junkyards for a 10 bolt rear with the 3.73 gears. It seems that it should be pretty common. You think I should ask for a specific rear for the tahoe or just any 10 bolt 8.5" inch rear with the 3.73 gears

**Pete95Sierra** · 06-26-2008, 06:48 PM

just any should work

**koeito** · 10-07-2008, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Pete95Sierra

yea i agree with tim. if you know how to change gears its not to bad, and you can get new gears for relatively cheap. swapping in a new axle isnt too hard either if you know what your doing. and the 10 bolt axles are the same i believe in trucks and burbans and tahoes

When I had my 95 rear end replaced, I was told that the end rear end HAD TO BE OUT OF A TAHOE or it would not fit. so make sure . I bought one in toronto for $1100 , after paying a guy $1900 to rebuild the old one and only drove less than 300 miles before wrecking the whole thing

**moogvo** · 10-09-2008, 01:40 PM

Also make sure that if yours is a 4x4 that the gears in the rear are the same as the gears up front. You can't run a 4 wheel drive with different gear ratios front and rear.

Look up the axle code. It is on a sticker, probably in the glovebox or in the door jamb. It is a 3 character code that starts with a G. this will tell you what your gear ratio is.

**95CTburb19** · 10-09-2008, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by koeito

When I had my 95 rear end replaced, I was told that the end rear end HAD TO BE OUT OF A TAHOE or it would not fit. so make sure . I bought one in toronto for $1100 , after paying a guy $1900 to rebuild the old one and only drove less than 300 miles before wrecking the whole thing

wow that is wayyy to much for a rear end. That sucks that you wrecked it.

**koeito** · 10-19-2008, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by tahoe101

Hey guys. Just registered here. I have a 1995 Tahoe and my differential just went down the drain yesterday with gear teeth missing and chunks all over. First question is, do you think its more cost effective to replace the differential gears or to replace the whole rear end? A friend of mine whom is a mechanic will be helping me here so im not brining it to a shop.

Second, if I am going to replace the rear end, can I use a Chevy 1500 pickup rear end instead of a tahoe rear?? I have the 10 bolt with clutch type limited slip and 3.73 gear ratio. Would the pickup rear be the same ratio? Has anyone had any experience doing a rear swap?

I only ask these questions because I am having a hard time finding a tahoe rear end at the junkyards. Anyone help would be great cause i need to get my hoe on the road soon. Thanks guys.

the rear end must be out of a 1995 Tahoe I found that out the hard way. There is difference in the length ,its only a little bit but must be correct