Chevy Express Rear Differential Info

[ratfink56]

I hope that includes labor.  Detroit Lockers go from $400.00 to $500.00 before labor. It is said that they're fairly easy to install. I won't tackle the job myself, but my labor costs will probably be beer and BBQ.  And before someone says it, I trust these guys with a few beers in them over most sober mechanics.

I just gotta figure out which diff I have.  The shape of the cover says GM 8.6(25), except that it is a 14 bolt, and the 8.6(25) is a 10 bolt.  And at two years old, there's no ink on the sticker with any ID numbers.

If you get me your VIN I will try to help. I work at a Chevrolet dealer.

 

[John61CT]

And there are so many different locker types, each with different characteristics and effects.

It seems the Detroit locker is *so* robust it is only suited to setups where the surrounding parts are also very strong.

With big fat tires in the wrong conditions can accelerate failure of the rest of the drivetrain?

 

[breaker1nine]

I will be able to afford a 2007ish chevy and up, which has stabilitrak, if im lucky AWD except after 2015 when they stopped awd on a express cargo van.  

Does this mod effect stabilitrak or replace it or something.  ?

 Lots of available RWD only vans out there and considering if i cant find a used AWD van i could settle for RWD and upgrade to Detroit TrueTrak.  ..

 

[Stanvan]

I'm looking at Powertrax instead of the Detroit stuff. They offer two lockers, the Lock-Right, which seems more for drag racing and off road use, and the No_Slip, apparently more for daily driving. I'm leaning towards the No-Slip. I don't know about the Stabilatrak, but I'm not impressed.

 

[MrNoodly]

If you get me your VIN I will try to help. I work at a Chevrolet dealer.

Ah, maybe you could find out which Dana diff is on my '07 Express 2500HD. I'll pm it the VIN to you.

 

[Stanvan]

Have you looked for the label on that '07? The ink was worn off my '16, but a friends '06 looked like new. It should be on the axle.

 

[highdesertranger]

let us know what you come up with. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

Have you looked for the label on that '07?  The ink was worn off my '16, but a friends '06 looked like new. It should be on the axle.

Yes. It gives the ratio (and GM's part number for it) but no info on which model Dana it is. It could be a 40, a 60 or a Super 60.

 

[Stanvan]

Yes. It gives the ratio (and GM's part number for it) but no info on which model Dana it is. It could be a 40, a 60 or a Super 60.

The label on my friends said "60S" on the lower right corner.

Hey!  That worked!  I stole the pic right from his post over in the Chevy forum.

 

[MrNoodly]

The label on my friends said "60S" on the lower right corner.

So the question is, does that mean it's a Dana Super 60? Don't know.

 

[Stanvan]

In all the ID charts, I never saw this "Super" you speak of. This chart may help you;

http://www.autoanything.com/drivetrain-differentials/how-to-identify-your-differential

 

[highdesertranger]

well according to wiki the S-60(super 60) was only used on Fords and only for front axles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_60

also all D-60 have a 60 cast into the housing.

highdesertranger

 

[Stanvan]

There is so much misinformation or incomplete information regarding what diff is in what vehicle. This is why I'm so frustrated. If I use my vehicle info in most of the online app guides, it comes up empty. It's like my van doesn't have a differential at all?!?! I'm 95% sure I have a 9.5"diff, and even then, most charts say they stopped using that diff in my model years before my '16.

Just sayin', don't trust everything you read. I like Wikipedia, but they can't know everything about everything.

 

[highdesertranger]

well I agree they can't know everything. but every Dana 60 I have seen does have a 60 cast into the housing. highdesertranger

 

[Stanvan]

I certainly wouldn't dispute that. I just wish there was something like that on mine.

 

[MrNoodly]

well according to wiki the S-60(super 60) was only used on Fords and only for front axles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_60

also all D-60 have a 60 cast into the housing.

Which is why it's a mystery.

 

[MrNoodly]

Which is why it's a mystery.

Okay, I finally figured it out. First, here's a photo of my differential cover:

<left><img src="https://www.use.com/images/s_2/77a088a6b3c3c0bb1a1e_1.jpg"></center>

It's shaped like a Dana cover (flat sides on the right and left) except it has 12 bolts instead of the usual 10. Hmmmm... I went to various sites that told how to identify Dana diffs. They said there were tags bolted to the cover and a number cast into the front of the housing. Mine had neither of those.

<left><img src="https://www.use.com/images/s_2/a77f9e0e8d92357839bc_1.jpg"></center>

But I googled "Chevrolet Express 2500HD, Dana" which lead me to this:

<left><img src="https://www.use.com/images/s_2/78bc72f0dabd599bb415_1.jpg"></center>

Notice the 12 bolt holes and the note I highlighted in the corner. Bingo!!! But would there be a Torsen-style diff for it? Yes.

<left><img src="https://www.use.com/images/s_2/9837e25e1d933ff36de9_1.jpg"></center>

(It's not the AAM diff listed below, because those are 14-bolt.)

 

[cortttt]

I hope that includes labor.  Detroit Lockers go from $400.00 to $500.00 before labor. It is said that they're fairly easy to install. I won't tackle the job myself, but my labor costs will probably be beer and BBQ.  And before someone says it, I trust these guys with a few beers in them over most sober mechanics.

I just gotta figure out which diff I have.  The shape of the cover says GM 8.6(25), except that it is a 14 bolt, and the 8.6(25) is a 10 bolt.  And at two years old, there's no ink on the sticker with any ID numbers.

Yes it includes labor. I called 5 or 6 places and got a range of prices.

 

[Stanvan]

Cortt, I had forgotten how much you said, so I went back to look. You commented that you were surprised no one suggested a locker. I think that may be that lockers are mostly geared (pun intended!!) towards racing and off road. I chose what I want based on their application of "daily driver, and towing", exactly what I do.

Mr Noodly, I guess that's what the "S" stands for. I noticed in my research the 60S and 70S, but nobody spelled it out, at least in the 6 or so charts I read. Glad you found it. Where did you find it?

 

[Stanvan]

And just missed that edit window. Of all the forums I belong to, none of them has an time limit on editing.

Mr Noodly, never mind, I found it. But I did find it hilarious that the first hit was a "Chevrolet Express Cargo van for sale in Dana IN".

So, in the Yukon site, I ran in to the usual for me. Their app chart only goes to '14 for my van, and the diff I'm 95% sure I have. Story of my life.