a rear end swap might be in my future

[Mercracer]

if the seals are bad, most likely the outer bearings are also shot. If those are shot, the axles are probably toast too. Just plan on this being more than $30 worth of seals.

To do it on the cheap, you do nto necessarily have to replace the axle, you just need the repair bearing which is offset. It does not ride on the same spot on the axle. It is unitized with a seal.
Autozone part number TRP1563TAV $29.99
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Link to Kit

[Piece-it pete]

I'm starting to get some grindingish noise from the back, pretty certain it's a bearing.

I'm sure I won't have any problem with the bearing work. But if I decide to change out the gears, what am I getting into? A bud says you've got to have the right measuring equipment, he believes it's pretty hard.

Pete

[87gtVIC]

he is correct. Not a beginners job whatsoever.

[Piece-it pete]

Dang.

Pete

[87gtVIC]

But there are different levels of beginner so you never know!

[gstak07]

Go with 3.73's a 21 tooth Speedometer gear and a traction-lok. You will be glad you did

[Mercracer]

MMC Alcoa Driveshaft

Which MMC Alcoa Driveshaft fits a box Vic?????

[gstak07]

It was only made for a few years and I believe it was from 99-01 but any aluminum driveshaft that comes out of a P.I. will work as long as you get the pinion flange and tailshaft housing with it, or get the Napa conversion U-joints to retain the smaller front yoke and rear yoke that you already have on your current driveshaft. Note : center to center the welds are 55 1/2 inches if that helps any.

[Mercracer]

It was only made for a few years and I believe it was from 99-01 but any aluminum driveshaft that comes out of a P.I. will work as long as you get the pinion flange and tailshaft housing with it, or get the Napa conversion U-joints to retain the smaller front yoke and rear yoke that you already have on your current driveshaft. Note : center to center the welds are 55 1/2 inches if that helps any.

What did you do to yours? Why would you want a longer 4R70W tailhousing to bolt on your AOD, when the Box driveshaft is the same length as a 99+ PI driveshaft (~55 1/2" ctr to ctr U-Joint)?

[mrltd]

Iirc the tailhousings are swappable as long as you use the correct yoke.

[Mercracer]

This must mean that a standard 4R70W tailshaft and tailhousing is shorter than a CV/GM Box AOD.

[mrltd]

This must mean that a standard 4R70W tailshaft and tailhousing is shorter than a CV/GM Box AOD.

or they are the same and the wb of the cars are different... I read the tailshaft thing on another reputable site.... maybe click click racing.

[Mercracer]

or they are the same and the wb of the cars are different... I read the tailshaft thing on another reputable site.... maybe click click racing.

I have an aluminum driveshaft from a '91 GM and a '00 CV Police MMC Alcoa in my garage. They are the same length, the pinion flange bolt pattern is the same, the transmission yokes are different. What are the length differences between a AOD from a Box CV, a 4R70W and a 4R70W P71? What are the tailhousing length differences? Are the main cases the same length?

[mrltd]

Unfortunately I don't know. I haven't been near a whale since I worked at jiffy lube....over a decade ago.

[gstak07]

I have had an AOD and a 4R70W out of a 97 P.I. side by side and the main casings are exactly the same. The difference is really in the front yoke because a P.I. yoke is a little over an inch longer, and its slightly bulkier. The housing on a 4R70W is machined slightly larger than the AOD's tailshaft housing is therefore the tailshaft bushings are 2 different sizes. With the AOD having the smaller bushing to me it was just easier to get a 4R70w housing instead of waiting to order special u-joints. Anytime I see a 4R70W on the ground at a scrapyard I take the tailshaft housings as long as they have the provisions for the speed sensor. Compared to a AOD tailshaft housing the only differences I have found are in the inner diameters of the 2 housings.