95 14bff one legger fix?

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Chillin Dylan

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Hey dudes. I’ve got a 95 454, NV4500, 14bff 4:10 SRW truck. Here’s my issue. It’s a one legger. I find it asinine that any heavy duty light trucks such as mine come with one leggers, let alone a 4X4!!? But I want to fix that. Honestly I don’t have much justification or excuses for why I want to do this other than I do. Also, I like burnouts and sliding around but a one legger makes those both lame as hell.

So, I can’t really justify spending upwards of $1k or more on a truetrac even though it’s a great diff. I’d also like to get disc brakes and a stronger rear end out of this project if possible. My father in law has a lb7 Duramax with the 11.5AAM in it. I’ve taken some rough measurements and it seems pretty dang close to mine. I’ve read both that it’s bolt in and that it’s not. Either way I don’t really care, welding is no issue for me, it’s my profession. What I really want to know, is did all the 11.5AAMs come with posi? His certainly did, but it’s a 3:73 diesel truck. I’ve read that the 4:10 was only available on the 8.1 and as open diff. But then again I’ve read the opposite.

So what’s the best option? $1k for a true trac? Or like $250 (already priced it at that) and some work for an 11.5 AAM from my local junkyard? I don’t wanna do the swap if I’m not even gaining posi out of it. Thanks guys


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df2x4

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Disclaimer, I know nothing about the 11.5" AAM rear ends... But I would imagine they're just like the older stuff when it comes to carriers. Meaning you could get them with either open or locking carriers from the factory. So if you pulled one from a GM truck that had the G80 RPO code then it should have a locking carrier as long as no one else swapped it. That said, I think personally I'd prefer to spend the money on a really nice carrier for the 14 bolt you have. I'd probably go with a Detroit Locker over the TrueTrac if it were my truck, though. I'm not sure what locking carriers the 11.5" AAMs got from the factory but I seriously doubt they're as nice as either one of those aftermarket Eaton options. Just my two cents.
 

smdk2500

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My last job we had a 03 2500 with a 6.0 4.10's and a G80. They are out there just have to look.
 

Supercharged111

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You won't spend $1,000 on a real locker, but you're considering an 11.5? This makes no sense. For a truck, I think a locker is better than a posi. The Truetrac is a torsen style diff.
 

Chillin Dylan

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My last job we had a 03 2500 with a 6.0 4.10's and a G80. They are out there just have to look.

If I’m not mistaken, that’ll have the 10.5 not the 11.5. My understanding is that only the Duramaxes and 8.1s had the 11.5.


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Chillin Dylan

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You won't spend $1,000 on a real locker, but you're considering an 11.5? This makes no sense. For a truck, I think a locker is better than a posi. The Truetrac is a torsen style diff.

I’ve always heard fantastic things about truetracs no matter the vehicle they’re in, that’s why I’m interested in it. A locker would be fine too, that part doesn’t make a whole lot of difference to me.

What’s your beef with the 11.5? It’s not a hard swap even assuming I have to put new perches and shock mounts on it. Nor is it expensive. I already priced one at my local junkyard for $250. The 11.5s that spin both wheels obviously work plenty well, I’ve never heard of anybody needing to replace bit rebuild them, even on trucks with 4-500k. Idk exactly what type of diff they had, but obviously it works fine behind Duramaxes so why wouldn’t it work for me?


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Supercharged111

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I have zero beef with an 11.5, it's just that your aversion to upgrading the diff in your existing housing was based on price, but an 11.5 will be as much as, if not more to swap in more than likely due to the need to cut/weld perches. I actually want one for my dually due to the weight I carry.
 

Chillin Dylan

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I have zero beef with an 11.5, it's just that your aversion to upgrading the diff in your existing housing was based on price, but an 11.5 will be as much as, if not more to swap in more than likely due to the need to cut/weld perches. I actually want one for my dually due to the weight I carry.

Did you miss the part where I specifically said cutting and welding perches was no issue to me because I’m a professional welder? As in it’s my job every day and has been for years. So, no it won’t be anywhere near as expensive as a diff. And while I don’t regularly hit my current payload capacity, I certainly wouldn’t mine more potential there


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Supercharged111

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How much are you finding 11.5s for out your way? They sure as **** aren't giving them away here in CO.
 

Chillin Dylan

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How much are you finding 11.5s for out your way? They sure as **** aren't giving them away here in CO.

$250... For the third time... One of my local junkyards sells rear ends from $50-$250 for light duty trucks. Prices go up when you get into medium duty trucks. I called and asked for the price on a rear end for a 04 2500hd Duramax SRW, $250.


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