New Guy!

[Spack9]

Just purchased a 96 Z71 5.7 Extended cab. This forum seemed like a great resource. Currently serving in the military stationed in New Jersey. I am orginally from North Carolina. Not a big fan of Jersey but making the best of it. My truck is bone stock. Putting a new fan clutch ( Mine is ceased, sounds like a jet taking off past 1500 rpm), and front diff 4WD actuator in soon. On a off note does anyone know of a tougher actuator than the cheap plastic electric one? Looking forward to meeting everyone. BTW this is my first Chevy truck. I had a f-body Camaro for two years, and a Dodge ram; two expensive ram transmissions later I now own a Chevy.

 

[kennythewelder]

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your service.

 

[Spack9]

It is my pleasure, nice truck!

 

[kennythewelder]

Thanks. I have a lot of work in my 97. You can see more pics by clicking on my avatar, and then albums page, then my 97

 

[kennythewelder]

There are 4 pages of pics in that folder

 

[grampadirt]

Welcome! What's wrong with the actuator? Is it broken?There should be a metal skid plate protecting it and the diff.If there's a metal actuator I've not seen it.

 

[Spack9]

Welcome! What's wrong with the actuator? Is it broken?There should be a metal skid plate protecting it and the diff.If there's a metal actuator I've not seen it.

It just won't actuate. I've shot wires and its getting power and the correct commands to extend and retract. T-case it working flawlessly light just blinks after the T-case locks. Pulled it out earlier and it didn't move. Just seems kinda cheaply built. I'm debating a junkyard part. New one is 70 bucks. Junkyard has a wrecked truck with 100k and they want 15 bucks. I will probably pick up a new one. I'd hate to have it shell out when I really need it. Correct me if I'm wrong but these trucks don't have locking hubs right? The axles just turn in 2WD ?

 

[grampadirt]

Correct,no locking hubs.Wish I knew if your actuator is thermal or electric.Thermals are known to go bad,mine did years ago,I replaced it with another thermal(and take forever to lock in).A couple of years ago I did an electric upgrade actuator,much faster.

 

[grampadirt]

Do you have the manual shift T/C or the dash switch?

 

[Spack9]

I have a push buttons on the dash. I also believe it is electric. It has a three wire connector. I've seen two wires which I assume are thermal, and three wire which seem to be electrically actuated. I heard tale of GM releasing a bulletin to update many trucks to electrically actuated from thermal at some point in the late 90s which I assume was a recall type item. It would seem the 3 pin connector would be used to allow the polarity to be reversed thus retracting the actuator.