Need help with 4x4 actuator

[Just2Sweet]

I am trying to replace my actuator but I think I might have the wrong kind. Truck is a '97 K1500 with a floor shift 4wd, NOT the push button. I went to Advance and picked this up...

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So I'm looking underneath the truck trying to find the actuator (I have never worked on a 4x4 before) and I think I found it...

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Is that it, right in the middle of the pic? The reason I ask is that it looks nothing like the actuator I bought. I tried to remove it to get a better look but don't have the proper tools at my disposal.

I'm lost here. Help, anyone?

 

[ChrisAU]

I believe it is actually in the passenger side of the differential? I haven't had the joy of changing one in years.

 

[k_pro1992]

Thats it. I dont know if its the same kind you had or not i had to go to the junkyard to get one for my 97 cause no parts stores could get the right one

 

[dirtridinz71]

That is the actuator in your picture. You have a thermal actuator and the new one is electric. I do think they have a conversio wiring harness for the swap

 

[trx88]

the thermal ones take a cvnt hair longer to engage especially if its cold out..

if u have another vehicle take the parts with you to stores like that

also u can check to see if its the culprit by jumping a circuit to it off your battery..

its got two prongs for the wiring plug just touch pos/neg to them see if it slowly springs up

mgiht be a fuse

 

[woody80z28]

I upgraded my stock 94 thermal one with a 95+ electronic one. Your 97 should have the electronic though, that's weird. See if the wiring will work with it...if not there's a wiring harness and spacer kit from Dorman to make the swap.

 

[dvanbamer88]

That is it in the picture. I replaced mine last winter. You do need a different part. I got mine at advance auto, 89 bucks maybe. You do need the thermal one, and as stated above, your new one is electric. I used a pair of channel locks to get the old one off, it's not that tight.

Also, i have a 97 and a thermal actuator.

 

[Just2Sweet]

Ahhh ok, so I have the older thermal style. Good stuff, thanks for the info guys. Makes sense now.

I upgraded my stock 94 thermal one with a 95+ electronic one. Your 97 should have the electronic though, that's weird. See if the wiring will work with it...if not there's a wiring harness and spacer kit from Dorman to make the swap.

Yeah, after doing research I was pretty sure that my '97 would be electric, which had me confused.

That is it in the picture. I replaced mine last winter. You do need a different part. I got mine at advance auto, 89 bucks maybe. You do need the thermal one, and as stated above, your new one is electric. I used a pair of channel locks to get the old one off, it's not that tight.

Also, i have a 97 and a thermal actuator.

I had a dinky pair of pliers and they weren't cutting it, lol. I bought this electric one from Advance so I'll return it and hope they have the thermal style. Eventually I'll look into a posi-lok but I'll worry about that when the weather is warmer, in the meantime I just need the 4x4 to work before the snow hits.

 

[muddy90chevy]

does anyone know of any tricks to just eliminating the pos thermal actuator? ive seen some post on here where a gy used a 1" pice of pipe infront of the actuator doesnt sond safe for the front diff gears to me.

 

[dirtridinz71]

does anyone know of any tricks to just eliminating the pos thermal actuator? ive seen some post on here where a gy used a 1" pice of pipe infront of the actuator doesnt sond safe for the front diff gears to me.

http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/app_chevy-k.html