GT Differential (was Axle) Swap

[strassed]

Does any one know - Are the GT rear ends interchangeable as an assembly? I know some of the axle internals are different, but can I pull a 73 rear end and install it in a 72 GT?

My 72 is getting a little noisy back there and there is a $300 73 (siezed engine) not far away that could be a donor.

Thanks for the help

[krewzer]

Yes, it's the same. Earlier ones are different.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by krewzer Yes, it's the same. Earlier ones are different.

Different, but only in the details. If you want to swap an entire differential, the early outer roller bearing/internal C-clip floating axle differential (1969 and 1970) can be replaced as a unit with the later sealed outer bearing w/pressed retainer ring non-floating axle version (1971 and later). And vice versa but then you won't like the unavailability of outer roller bearings if you ever have a problem.

HTH

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by strassed Does any one know - Are the GT rear ends interchangeable as an assembly? I know some of the axle internals are different, but can I pull a 73 rear end and install it in a 72 GT? My 72 is getting a little noisy back there and there is a $300 73 (seized engine) not far away that could be a donor. Thanks for the help

Most things are interchangeable between years at least as complete units and many individual components. If you will do a little bit of searching on this forum you will probably be able to answer many of the questions you may come up with and usually in great detail.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Harold

[opelwasp]

Check the hand brake cable too though. Early years used a "ball" and later years use a "hook" on the end to activate the parking brake.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by opelwasp Check the hand brake cable too though. Early years used a "ball" and later years use a "hook" on the end to activate the parking brake.

True, and a very good point, although that happened some time after the change in the differential design, in late 1971 model year IIRC. So as opelwasp has pointed out, if you are swapping a differential from a 73 (hook style e-brake ends) into an early 71 (ball style e-brake, but later axle design), then your e-brake cable will have different ends and you either have to transplant the brake shoes and backing plates, or use the 73 cable. But in the case presented above, that shouldn't be an issue. And of note, the early axle design differential brake backing plates are NOT interchangeable with the later diff, so THAT swap is a bit more complicated.

HTH