Detroit in a 10 bolt

[Navy75]

I just picked up a used detroit for a 10 bolt axle and have a question about the process of installing it.
since i am not changing gear ratio's do i need a master install kit? Or is this just a matter of pulling the old carrier out and putting the locker in?
This setup is not going to be running for long. just enough to get me through the summer and do my entire heavy duty driveline swap in the fall.
Oh the other question I had was will this locker go into my 3/4 ton D44 or is that an entirely different beast?

 

[Navy75]

i should probably mention it is a true trac if that makes any differance for install

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

A Detroit true trac is not a locker, its a limited slip.

A Detroit locker is another thing all together.

Also, be aware that early 10 bolts are 28 spline while the later ones (88+ I think) are 30 spline.

Regardless, you'll need to be super careful about the shims on the outside of the carrier bearings, they're easy to damage when removing/installing them. Make sure you keep track of where the shims are and which side and in which orientation the carrier bearing caps sit.

And, to be technical, replacing the carrier will require checking the backlash and carrier bearing preload but I've never had to do change it, I've checked every time and the new carrier has been machined close enough to be good. There is some risk in destroying the diff if you don't check it but pretty low IMO, as long as you keep everything super clean, don't nick any of the mating surfaces and do a good job of torquing everything. Speaking of which, loc-tite is REALLY important on ring gear bolts.

A D44 is similar in many ways to a 10 bolt but they don't use the same carrier, so no, you can't interchange those.

 

[6.2Blazer]

You don't need the master install kit because you won't be messing with the pinion at all. You will obviously need bearings on the carrier, and possibly shims and they make "mini kits" just for this reason. If the used diff you bought has bearings already pressed on then technically you can reuse them, though you really should have the races also for best life....though I've seen bearing and races mismatched quite a bit and have never seen an immediate failure because of this.

If the new diff does not have carrier bearings already installed you can remove the ones from the old diff and transfer them to the new (used) one....however it can be somewhat difficult to remove the bearing without damaging them if you don't have the right tools and experience.

 

[Navy75]

the true trac came out of an '80 chevy and mine is an '83. so hopefully the spline count is the same. i will make sure on that as i go at it. should start on it friday night and be done sat morning after i get the drum back from the machine shop

 

[Navy75]

sorry, meant drums from being turned

 

[MTNMIKE]

are you putting this in the front diff, that would be a great use of a true trac.

 

[Navy75]

no it's going into the rear for the summer. i have a 14sf and 44 front that i will build to go under the blaze this fall. just waiting for that money tree to start dropping.
i just want to make sure i have all the parts (springs, hangers, tires etc...) all together so i can do it in one shot.