When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The hardest part of swapping a differential is jacking up the rear of the truck. Most jack stands won’t go high enough, and anyone who craws under a truck without some sort of solid stand (Cement Blocks, holes facing up will do) and blocks on the front wheels, is like a Chevy, not long for this world.
Anyways put your stands at the jack point in front of the rear tires. Remove tires, brake lines (you will have to unbolt a few lines attached to the top of the housing), unbolt the drive shaft and lay it on the ground(wouldn’t hurt to put something under it) do not pull it out from the transmission ( all your fluid will leak out), unbolt the shocks form the differential and let them hang, and last but not least unbolt the big u joints which hold it to the leaf springs. Be sure you have something holding up the differential before doing this. Preferably a floor jack so you can lower and roll it out.
Installing the new differential is just a reverse process except that you’ll need to bleed your brakes.
If I left anything out I’m sure someone will chirp in.
mathelm, that pretty much described it. I'm leery of concrete blocks for 2 reasons. They are brittle and can have flaws that you can't see and second when they go, it's all of a sudden. Jackstands would be much better.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.