Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

And one other thing...do yourself a favor and get a crush sleeve eliminator kit if you havnt already....

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

I spent the extra money. And got the yukon crushless kit. The master rebuild kit came with 2 crush sleeves. I tried my hardest to get one of then to set and crush, no matter how hard I tried my impact would not crush it, enough even having a pipe wrench on it and always left play front to rear. So i used the sleeve as a base for the crushless. Ended up using the 7 ish thousand shim only. Cutting it close.
The pinion patter is on the acceptable side but is slightly close. Tried withouta shim and somehow it was to far out. Thankfully i found and old and i mean old micrometer. Shimming the carrier was the easiest part with the assortment from yukon.

Almost complete. Autozone screwed me and ordered the wrong axle seals. They ordered the front.

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

almost all autozone bearings and seals now are super cheep CRAP JUNK .

last time i needed a dana 60 carrier bearing they didnt have timken anymore and there store brand was so cheep the bearing didnt even have part #'s on it anywere or even a name .

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

Agreed.
Thankfully o'Reillys had them in town for 3.99 made in the usa. Surprised me.

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

Completed.
It was frustrating at first, but after installing then disassembling it multiple times. I am comfortable with it now. The most frustrating part was the crushless and trying the crush sleeve first.
Thank you for all the help.
Now i will have to get the proper gear for the np208 speedometer. Ill just be using my phone as a speedo for now. Ulysses speedometer has a cool program where it'll reflect off the windshield.

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

I’m going to be doing the same gear change here soon. Anything you would change now that you’ve done it other than not using the crush sleeve?

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

Overdrive. Haha, this truck screams at 70.

A good vise would've helped me installing the ring gear. I had to hold it while torquing the bolts.
I didn't have the option to completely remove the axle from the rear which made it a bit difficult but definitely doable.
I have been pretty happy with the moog non greasable u joints.

Re: 81 k10 12 bolt differential rebuild
 

Thanks. I already have a 4L80e. The 3.08 gears are just way too tall for my truck.