rear end housing differences

[lsdengines]

what's the difference between the 3rd and 4th gen rear end housings?

[Injuneer]

They are basically the same except:

-The 3rd Gen rear axle assembly is 3" narrower than the one used in the 4th Gens.

-The disc brake "ends" on different. The drum brake setups are similar.

-I don't believe the 3rd Gens have any provisions for the 3- or 4-channel ABS that is used on all 4th Gen assemblies.

The mounts for the springs, shocks, lower control arms, panhard rod, sway bars, wheel bolt patterns, and pinion yokes are identical, in the same locations. Its very easy to bolt a 3rd Gen rear in a 4th Gen and vice-a-versa. You just have to address the difference in width by using wheels with the correct offsets. Obviously, the brakes may require some changes, and ABS will probably not be possible.

One caution on the 3rd Gens.... while most of them are identical to the 4th Gens, there were a few higher HP setups that came with a 9-bolt Borg-Warner rear axle assembly, made in Australia. While it is dimensionally the same as all other 3rd Gens, the ring and pinion sets are completely different, and there are not a lot of aftermarket parts for the Borg-Warner rears.

[lsdengines]

thanks. I found a used 9" for a 3rd gen, and was wanting to pick it up, but just wanted to get a few questions answered. Not too worried about abs and such.