WTB: TB LTZ rear axle with G80 locker

[steveroche]

Looking to swap out my non-locking axle with a bigger locking one. I have a 2003 Trailblazer LT so if anyone has one that fits this or has seen one on ebay that they could let me know about it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Ltz wont be bigger. Might help to mention what gears you need.

[fishsticks]

Ltz wont be bigger. Might help to mention what gears you need.

+1

Rear axle swaps are a reasonably big deal. You need to educate yourself on what you want and WHY you want it.

That being said... I have an LTZ G80 axle sitting in my backyard under a tarp. MOST of the pieces are there... sorta.

[steveroche]

I guess i need to look into it a bit more. All i know right now is, my axle does not have the g80 and it hinders my performance on the trails.
For the axle that you have, the pieces that are missing, would i be able to find the replacement parts on ebay to make it whole?

[djthumper]

I don't believe you are going to find what you want here anyhow, unless someone did an axle upgrade to an 8.6. This is the place you want to go look once you know the gear ratio that you are looking for; http://car-part.com/.

I am thinking this thread will probably be moving soon.

[fishsticks]

I guess i need to look into it a bit more. All i know right now is, my axle does not have the g80 and it hinders my performance on the trails.
For the axle that you have, the pieces that are missing, would i be able to find the replacement parts on ebay to make it whole?

Probably not. The G80 failed on the trail. The resulting explosion put a hole in the case.

I replaced it with an 8.6" axle out of an EXT... then put an aftermarket locker in that.

[janesy86]

I replaced it with an 8.6" axle out of an EXT... then put an aftermarket locker in that.

Same here, just did the swap. Haven't checked out the G80 that's in the one I just took out for anything broken/ worn but I'll have it sitting around for a while any way. 3.42 gears from an 07' with 90k.

[Diacom]

There's an 8" 3.73 geared G80 out of an 04 Buick for $225 out of my area. Has 103k for milage though... Not sure how shipping works on Car-Part though.

But I agree, the 8.6" would be the better way to go if your going to swap axles. Waiting on my locker now so I can get mine set up.

[janesy86]

There's an 8" 3.73 geared G80 out of an 04 Buick for $225 out of my area. Has 103k for milage though... Not sure how shipping works on Car-Part though.

But I agree, the 8.6" would be the better way to go if your going to swap axles. Waiting on my locker now so I can get mine set up.

Plenty of good choices I'm sure where ever you are. I also agree tho if your going to swap axles, just go with a 8.6" from a Ext or V8. And either get it already with the G80 or hook up an open diff with a locker.

Can already tell I'm going to be happy with the No-slip I installed recently in the open 8.6" I picked up. Also happy that it only had 14k miles on it for only $275...

Def check out car-part.com if your looking to do this...

[steveroche]

Thanks guys, and yes i am definitely going to invest in the EXT rear axle this summer once the higher paying summer job kicks in. Seems like the EXT is the better choice by what you guys have experienced. As far as the locker, would you recommend that i just buy a locking rear axle and replace it with something aftermarket? or just keep the stock g80 that is already in there? If so which would you say is the best replacement for the g80?
I have been checking out that parts website and have been able to find a multitude of rear axles at the higher gear ratio in or near my area, thanks for the referral! definitely helps me out.

[janesy86]

If you want/can spend the extra cash go with an aftermarket locker, less moving parts to break over the G80. The locker I went with and 'Fishsticks' as well is the Powertrax No-slip, which for the 8.6" rear is the cheapest locker, around $400, others are around $600+. If your going to go aftermarket with the locker, pick up an open diff rear.

The No-slip is a 15 min install into the open diff and I took it for a spin this past weekend and it works awesome. Can hardly tell its there on road, unless its wet out there is slight scrubbing of the tires. You could go with a few other lockers, but they take much more to install, which I personally wasn't comfortable installing myself, so this was my best option.

So IMO unless your swapping your gears as well, which you'd have to match the front, just go with an open diff with your gears and throw in the No-slip if you want aftermarket and can/want spend the extra $$. If not just pick up a 8.6" with the G80 with your gears.

But thats just my .02

[steveroche]

How is this for a locker? Instead of doing a full axle swap i could just throw this guy in there...http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2996331
Also they say that only fits 2005-2009 or something...i have a 2003, do you really think that will stop me from being able to use this?
Here is some of the info they give you...RICHMOND GEAR Part # PT1935 More Information About this Part PowerTrax
GM 7.2" IFS Front; 4WD; Front Differential; 26 Splines; 5, 6 Lugs (Only 2 Remaining)

So i have a 2003 Trailblazer LT...will it fit?
Thanks

[fishsticks]

That's for the front. It's what I run.

[janesy86]

So now your wanting a front locker? There are two members here with that locker in the front, but I can tell you, just by looking at their pics of the install, its definitely not even as close to easy as the rear.

[steveroche]

oh haha....i guess i didnt look hard enough i didnt see that it said front
GM 8.6" Rear; 4WD; Rear Differential; 30 Splines; 6 Lugs
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3000417
sorry for the noob mistake...won't happen again lol
will that fit a stock 03 LT rear axle?

[janesy86]

That would be one of your options for the GM 8.6" (Ext).

Unless you have a V8 or an Ext, you have a GM 8". Only locker for that is the G80 or True-Trac, which is a LSD and I don't even know if its available...

Really, like I said in my above posts, the best option for a locker is to do a axle swap and get one with the G80 or get an open diff and put one of the lockers available for it in...

[steveroche]

Sounds good, there are a couple of junk yards on that car part website that are near me so i will take a day out early this summer and browse for a new axle.

[b taylor]

Fishstick, how does that locker do in the front? I have one I just put in the rear and can def tell it's there. Just wonderering what road manners were like with it in the front.

[steveroche]

There's an 8" 3.73 geared G80 out of an 04 Buick for $225 out of my area. Has 103k for milage though... Not sure how shipping works on Car-Part though.

But I agree, the 8.6" would be the better way to go if your going to swap axles. Waiting on my locker now so I can get mine set up.

Plenty of good choices I'm sure where ever you are. I also agree tho if your going to swap axles, just go with a 8.6" from a Ext or V8. And either get it already with the G80 or hook up an open diff with a locker.

Can already tell I'm going to be happy with the No-slip I installed recently in the open 8.6" I picked up. Also happy that it only had 14k miles on it for only $275...

Def check out car-part.com if your looking to do this...

So the 8.6 will just fit right in? and which gear ratio should i go for, 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10? I just want to double check to make sure i'm totally clear on the subject before i go ahead and do something without knowing half of the information.

[Diacom]

Plenty of good choices I'm sure where ever you are. I also agree tho if your going to swap axles, just go with a 8.6" from a Ext or V8. And either get it already with the G80 or hook up an open diff with a locker.

Can already tell I'm going to be happy with the No-slip I installed recently in the open 8.6" I picked up. Also happy that it only had 14k miles on it for only $275...

Def check out car-part.com if your looking to do this...

So the 8.6 will just fit right in? and which gear ratio should i go for, 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10? I just want to double check to make sure i'm totally clear on the subject before i go ahead and do something without knowing half of the information.

Unless your going to change the gear ratio in your front end, you'll have to get the same ratio that's in the rear now.