chevy axle

[86ranger4x4owner]

Ok I have a 1996 chevy 1500 z71 offroad with the 5.7l vortec.And i was wondering how i can find out the gear ratio and if the rear axle is limited slip?I looked in the manuel and cant find anything.any help?

 

[Ozwynn]

there is a sticker in the glovebox that has all the option codes your truck was built with

4x4, 10 bolt cover, 3.42 ratio (opt GU6)
4x4, 10 bolt cover, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
4x4, 14 bolt cover, 3.42 ratio (opt GU6)
4x4, 14 bolt cover, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
4x2, 3.08 ratio (opt GU4)
4x2, 3.42 ratio (opt GU6)
4x2, 3.73 ratio (opt GT4)
4x2, 4.10 ratio (opt GT5)

the option code for L/S is G80

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

I see a sticker that says service parts identifaction and it has a lot of thee digit codes.is this the right sticker?and i see g80 and gt4 but how do i know what gt4 i have? Just count the diff cover bolts?

 

[Ozwynn]

yep... you got it

 

[Ozwynn]

if it has 14 bolts then it is a semi float 9.5"

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

if it has 10 bolts would that be a full floating axle? or just a smaller semi floating?

 

[Ozwynn]

10 bolt in a Z71?......... hhhmmmm I thought all those has the 9.5" semi-float 14 bolt.....

you got a semi-float gov locked 8.2" ring gear with a 3.73 ratio (if somebody did not change the ratio)........ if you get a chance I would find a 3.73 G80 semi-float 14bolt from a diesel powered silverado....... much stronger than the 10b, and common in diesel silverados (1500 and LD2500) and 454ss trucks.


...... the 10 bolt barely holds up in an S10 Blazer....

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

10 bolt in a Z71?......... hhhmmmm I thought all those has the 9.5" semi-float 14 bolt.....

you got a semi-float gov locked 8.2" ring gear with a 3.73 ratio (if somebody did not change the ratio)........ if you get a chance I would find a 3.73 G80 semi-float 14bolt from a diesel powered silverado....... much stronger than the 10b, and common in diesel silverados (1500 and LD2500) and 454ss trucks.


...... the 10 bolt barely holds up in an S10 Blazer....

It has held up to what i have done to it. I have done a few heavy hauls and whoever had it before me had to pull something heavy cause it has all the gear for towing heavy. But when it breaks ill put in a 14 bolt. And another thing is i watched a video and it said to jack the rear axle up and if both tires spin the same direction it has a l/s and the wheels turn the opposite direction so does it still have a g80? Its on the code sticker.

 

[Ozwynn]

that video is wrong. if they both turn the same way then its a locker....... although it could mean the rear axle has been changed or that your gov loc is worn out. you are about at the end of my knowledge on this subject.....

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

Its a limted slip i tested it in some mud and i heard a clunk and then the other tire started spinning