Swapping a G80 "posi" from a '96 into my '97 Sierra?

['ol 47]

Hi guys, first, some specifics. I have a '97 GMC Sierra 1500, short box, 2wd. Nice little truck, but quite challenged when towing our 20' trailer, with its 4.3 V6 and 3.08 rear gears.

While camped with some buddies a couple weeks ago, one of them said he was scrapping his '96 GMC 1/2 ton, and if it has better gears(I was hoping for 3.42) they were free for the taking. When I checked the codes, to my delite, it has the 3.42 gears, and right next to it, was the posi code, G80! Double bonus, says I. And free... Did I mention, free? SO I've now taken the carrier and pinion and its bearing's race from the donor truck, and all looks really good. But will it fit? His is a '96, mine is a '97. His was 4x4 with 6 stud axles, while mine's a 2wd with 5 stud axles. Both are 1500 series(1/2 ton). I've searched a lot on line, but haven't found out yet if the axles are the same spline, and/or the same length between the open carrier and the G80. I'd rather know before I take my truck apart, so i don't "lose" my truck for longer than necessary. At worse, I can take the ring off the G-80 and bolt it to my open carrier, since they're both series 1 carriers, but damn, that G80 would be nice, as the little truck likes to bury itself easily, and I have to make a weekly run to the landfill, where I've had to get a tow from the loader operator more than once to get out from the soft sand. Having both wheels pulling would be a great thing!

Anyone know what I'm facing(I've set up gears before, so no issues there) and if there is a issue, is there a workaround?

Thanks!

['ol 47]

Well, since nobody replied, I'll give an update for future reference. It was all a direct bolt-in; no issues, axles went-in fine(same spline, same length), all works!

Hope this helps someone at some point...