MikeDsSS Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Hello, I have a thought on the AWD system on my 2003 SS. My truck has 80K miles on it and the front differential is worn and is in need of replacement/rebuild. I have been doing some research on this site as well others trying to figure out if this is a project for me to do or not. I am thinking to just buy a re-manufactured front differential assembly. Now here is a thought: can I buy a 4wd front differential with 4.10 gears, with the actuator assembly and use on my AWD SS? I am thinking that the actuator is just the mechanism for locking/unlocking hubs. The front differentials appear to be the same or at least similar enough to bolt-on. Using a 4wd differential if this works would give me an option to run either AWD as stock or unlock the hubs into a 2WD mode. Someone who knows more than me..... will this even work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldofashow Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 If you can't run without the front driveshaft without breaking the transfer case then I would say no you can't just rebuild your front diff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS-GTP Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Nope, your 2WD vision won't work as you described. You would have to change transfercase, add some wiring, maybe some ECU programming to go from AWD to selectable 2WD/4WD. On the other hand if you find a 4WD front diff in good shape, I believe you just need to swap out the long axle tube that has the electrical actuator with the long tube on your current front diff and bolt it in and retain AWD without much hassle if that's cheaper then a full rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeDsSS Posted January 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Ok, thanks for the feedback. It seems that an unloaded transfer case will not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugie Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I never seen a front diff go bad unless you're throwning some serious power. Are you sure it's not the hub bearings. 80k is when the bearings act up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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