Gen 2/95 SR Front Diff Mount Replacement Question

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

I have a Gen 2 front differential that I'm going to be swapping in to my 95 SR. I'm doing so because the newer one has 5.29 gears and an ARB locker (rear 5.29 with factory air locker already in). I haven't ever replaced the differential mount 'insulators' and was wondering if any of you have. I have the things on order since a visual inspection shows some wear and tearing in a couple of the three it requires - I want to replace all three of course. The new insulators are the steel shell with the rubber inside, so the entire thing has to be pressed out somehow, and my experience with replacing the front lower control arm bushings, at least the frame-mounted rearward one, is that they can be exceedingly difficult to remove and replace. Hopefully, having the differential sitting by itself, out of the truck, will help.

Any tools, tips or tricks you have would be appreciated.

John B.

 

[RyanY]

I seem to recall that the diff mounts all bolt on, although one completely encircles the axle shaft so the axle has to be pulled to change it. Did you get the entire mounts or just the bushings?

 

[mudraider]

Interested to hear what you think of those gears.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Toasty]

don't the new bushings come with the complete "arm"?

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

The bushings are not sold installed in the arms. I purchased them through Partsouq and there was no option for getting them that way, i.e., no dotted line around both parts with a separate part number. They will have to be pressed out/in.

Speaking of which, Toasty, I'm inviting you to help me install them and the frame-mounted lower front control arm bushings. I have both styles: the ones in the metal shell and the ones without the shell (Siberian). It'll be FUN!

MudRaider: So far, the gears put me and the 35" tires right back at stock ratio. That's yuge.

John B.

 

[Toasty]

I can probably come help.

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

You're a pal.

John B.