4x4 gear swap to the rear only for now

[MarcuM]

2016 5.3 6sp cc with 140k and 11” lift 3.42ratio

 

i daily my  truck on 35s and it’s all highway so I want to swap my diff gears from 3.42s to say a 4.56 or around that range for less transmission strain and to possibly go to a 37” tire eventually 

 

i cant down the truck for more then a weekend so what I want to know before I get to deep is if I do my rear first and my front a week later will any unknown sensors detect 2 different ratios and shut me down or will I be ok for 500miles in between as long as I’m NOT using 4x4? 

[davester]

Note: the following is predicated on having a "normal" 2wdhi/4wdhi/4wdlo/neutral transfer case, not one of the autotrak or awd ones.

 

There are no sensors to detect the different gear ratios.

 

I would unplug the electrical connector to the front diff actuator (that locks the front axle), and tape up both ends so crap doesn't get in them.  This prevents the possibility of a problem if the truck were to go into 4wd, as with it unplugged, no power gets to the front wheels in 4wd (a stub axle in the front diff just spins at the "wrong" rpm).

[MarcuM]

It has the auto option if that’s what you mean by autotrak 

 

[davester]

You might try to find out if your front axle works the same as what I described (actuator connects the passenger side axle together when 4wd is engaged, and disconnects it in 2wd mode), and if so, then unplug the actuator.  If it doesn't, then I don't know what else you could readily do to prevent activating 4wd, maybe removing the fuse for the system would do it, but I don't know.

[SierraHD17]

If you are only driving the truck just don't put it in any 4wd mode and it will be fine for however long it takes you to get around to doing the front.  

[MarcuM]

That would be great if that’s the case 

If it was a older truck then I wouldn’t second guess it but these new trucks with stabilitrak and all the monitors and sensors I would be screwed if I pull my old diff and put new one in and it limp Modes lol

 

i know the driveshaft will turn freely when truck is in park and turned off 

[SierraHD17]

It has no idea what axle ratio is in the differential beyond what is written to the ecm and tcm when you tune it which you need to do anyway.  Its gears in there... that's it.  Wheel speed is accomplished from the outer end of the axle shafts at the wheel  bearing with a reluctor ring. I have 4.56s in my own 2017 lol.

Edited September 1, 2019 by SierraHD17

[MarcuM]

How do you like yours ?

6th is pointless in my truck at 70mph it’s 1500rpm and trans temp raises a few degrees so I leave it in 5th at 2000 and temps go down 

 

My truck has 35s with 10-11” of lift and it needs 37” tires bad lol

[FlipZ71]

You wont have an issue.  I did the same when I went to 4.56 

 I dropped the front drive shaft out as a precaution 

[MarcuM]

I been shopping around but I’m assuming the 2016 5.3 3.42 is a 12bolt 9.5” ?

[SierraHD17]

Correct. The only way a 6 speed equipped 5.3 truck had a 9.76" was if it was an NHT truck with 3.73 gears.  And yes I love my setup.

Edited September 2, 2019 by SierraHD17

[MarcuM]

Did you swap out the hole unit in the rear ?

 

i don’t off road or abuse the truck any it’s a pavement princess lol

 

im on the fence about buy a trutrak or somthing else or leave the oem locker alone since it’s functional still 

other then a chance of snow here in Wv it won’t be a must need I don’t think 

 

[SierraHD17]

I would not reuse a Gov lock under any circumstances.  I run Detroit Lockers in all my trucks even if they are pavement only.  It's more or less personal preference.

[MarcuM]

Got another question 

I ordered everything from Yukon and had shipped next day air and everything looks right but I’m seeing on my tracking sheet that the master install kit says it is for a 14bolt cover 12 bolt ring 31spline axle 

mine is a 12 bolt cover I believe as well as a 12 bolt gear but other then the gasket will all the pinion bearings and shims fit or is that a complete wrong kit?

hopefully it doesn’t cost me the weekend sending back for the right kit smh 

[MarcuM]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rat-329k