Swapping 3rds in an '85 Caprice

[4runner Freak]

How difficult is it to pull the differential in a '85 Caprice?
I'm a toyota guy and I can pull the diff in my truck in 10 minutes, but I have no idea what it will take with a caprice.
My friend has an '85 Caprice and I'm going to help him replace the rear axle/diff, but he said that it a ton of work to pull the diff out of the axle(The gears in his diff are jacked) and would be more worth it to swp in a whole new rear end.

Does any one have a FSM for an '85 Caprice?
What gears came stock in a Caprice?
I am going to be going to the junk yard this weekend to try to find a diff or whole rear end, but want to make sure what vehicle and gear to pull.

Thanks in advance

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by 4runner Freak

How difficult is it to pull the differential in a '85 Caprice?
I'm a toyota guy and I can pull the diff in my truck in 10 minutes, but I have no idea what it will take with a caprice.

Removing and installing the carrier is fairly easy. Setting up a new ring and pinion can be very involved, and will require a new crush sleeve, shims, and should include a new pinion seal and nut. It's easy to just get a pinion kit which includes all that, bearings, bolts, marking compound, and instructions. You'll still need feelers, an inch/pound torque wrench, a pinion yoke tool, and some luck if you've never done it before.

My friend has an '85 Caprice and I'm going to help him replace the rear axle/diff, but he said that it a ton of work to pull the diff out of the axle(The gears in his diff are jacked) and would be more worth it to swp in a whole new rear end.

The price of a complete axle from a salvage yard can be less than a gear set, and less work than setting up the gears. Moreover, the '85 model might still have a 7-5/8" ring gear. The later versions used the 8-1/2" gears for a lot more strength. Finding a good 8-1/2" axle in the ratio you like would be worth the hunt.

Does any one have a FSM for an '85 Caprice?
What gears came stock in a Caprice?
I am going to be going to the junk yard this weekend to try to find a diff or whole rear end, but want to make sure what vehicle and gear to pull.

Gear ranges could be from 2.56 to 3.23 depending upon the year and model. A salvage yard should have an interchange, but any B- or D-body can be a candidate for a replacement axle. The wagons often have a wider (longer) axle, so be careful with the measurements.