Different front diffs?

[Flying Monkey]

Is there a different combination of front diffs on our trailblazers? Looking in the chiltons it calls for different amounts of oil for different years:

2002 and 2003-2.6 pints

2004 and later

6 cylinder models (RPO LL8)
with 18" Wheels- 4.3 pints

All other models- 1.7 pints


My question comes from looking at buying some diffs from a member here and wondering now if his 02 diff will work on my 04.


EDIT: when i search front differential carrier on parts.nalleygmc.com I get:

Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER 4WD 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

So has me even more confused now

[Trail X]

The only TB with 18" wheels is the SS, right?

[Flying Monkey]

I believe so, but the 02-03 is still different amount then "All other models" for 04 and later

[Mudwheelin]

Doesn't the 09 have 18's? Seems weird that the levels would be different.

[Flying Monkey]

Yeah thats where the confusion comes in.

[Flying Monkey]

Everywhere I look (other then the chiltons) I get this

CARRIER KIT,FRT DIFF. Required: 01
CARRIER KIT,FRT DIFF(06.056). Required: 01
For: T1 3.73R(GT4),4.10R(GT5),3.42R(GU6) (2002-2009) (2002 - 2009).

So where the hell is the different amount of diff fluid coming from in the chiltons?

[Mudwheelin]

Just put the amount that the service manual calls for and see what happens.

[Flying Monkey]

Just put the amount that the service manual calls for and see what happens.

Not the problem....Problem is, will the 02 front diff work on the 04. Being they hold different amount of fluid, do they mount the same? In turn, is there any reason I couldnt use it without issue on my 04

[Mudwheelin]

Ah, sorry missed that part...I was just looking at genuine gm parts and from what I read all the parts from 02-09 were compatable. So I would assume you wouldn't have an issue. It looks like its the exact same thing. I would feel comfortable putting an 02 diff in my 07.

[Flying Monkey]

ya fixed it...lol had me more confused for a min

[Mudwheelin]

Sorry man, on the blackberry, I read my post and hit the edit button...

[Flying Monkey]

No problem lol. Yeah I cant see there being being much of an issue, just slightly worried. Being there is almost a pint difference in capacity, where that difference plays in.

[Mudwheelin]

Ya I think it would be fine.

[The Roadie]

I guarantee it's fine. Sorry I missed this thread at first. ALL of the trucks (except early build 2002) use the same front diff housing, even the SS. Chilton's is often wrong. The GM Owner's Manual writers were also often wrong.

I think the root cause was sort of like the 150A alternator question that always gets asked at the parts stores when you need a serpentine belt. Originally, GM was going to have two different alternators available, and they shared that data pre-launch with the aftermarket parts supply software companies like Mitchell. By the time the trucks hit the showroom floor, GM was only using the 150A version. And the software guys never got the memo to change it. I tried to educate them in 2005. I really tried.

Same mystery has always been there for the front diff housing. Most parts suppliers ask how many yoke mounting holes you have. I think ONLY the very early 2002 models, the same ones with the rogue 14mm weakling tie rod ends, ever had a housing with one hole. All others have two. There may or may not be a difference in fluid capacity in that early design that didn't survive.

But it's all moot in any event. It doesn't matter what the documents say. You put it in until it meets the bottom of the fill hole. Done. How ever much it takes.

[Flying Monkey]

good deal. i wasnt worried about the actual fluid amount, due to like you said, fill it till its full, just if there was any other difference. Which is where my concern came in. Now he did say his only has 1 mounting bolt in the rear of it. Is that referring to the mounting bolt right next to the yoke going into front diff? If so my 04 only has 1 bolt there

[The Roadie]

I'm probably misremembering then. All of them have one mounting bolt and none of them have two.

[fishsticks]

Early 2002 front diff.

[Opeth]

The only TB with 18" wheels is the SS, right?

Pretty sure the SS, we're 20".

[Nakashige]

SS has 20s on it

[Saxis]

Some Envoys came with 18s, the Denali specifically...