I can see your reason for replacing the driveshaft. It seems like quite a few Hoe's and Av's have had them break. I'm going to end up ordering a factory high speed balance aluminum shaft (part number 15105703) for the wife's. I don't plan to go far enough with her's to need the 9.5" rear, but I'm still watching this swap closely.

 

Here's pics of the 14-bolt Escalade rear sent to me by the salvage yard...he says it is coming as shown "minus the shocks". That is fine as I don't have the self-leveling and don't need them. I'll take some better shots after it arrives...

 

Whoa, get a picture of that cover. That doesn't look like the 14 bolt from that picture.

 

Yikes, it is hard to tell. I am leaning more towards it being the 10 bolt due to the "squareness' of the differential housing rather than 14 bolt 9.5" being very much an oval. Also, those rotors are 13" diameter, so in perspective to the differential housing/ring gear inside, it does look smaller in size, unfortunately. I'd get confirmation for sure, like Zippy mentioned a picture of the differential cover is all you'd need.

On second look, those axle tubes are mighty small in diameter also.

 

Ahh, now why ya have to go & say that? I hope it is...but I sent an email asking for a pic of the cover!

EDIT:

Okay, I went out and took pics of the Yukon's 10-bolt and manipulated the pic of the 14-bolt...appears to have some subtle differences in the housing, i.e., cast-in cross-bracing & rib structure for one.

10-BOLT:



14-BOLT:

 

The bottom of the diff should be smooth. I think the 8.6" has the bracing cast into it. It looks like someone got the rear diff and vin mixed up.

 

Damn...this is getting worse. Zippy's second cell phone pic aint helping either for the reassurance part of this.

 

Just catching up after editing my post...the "smooth" diff is the 10-bolt currently in my Yukon. So, now where are we?

I'll feel alot better with a pic of a 14-bolt cover from the salvage yard!

 

Inch up did you modify that housing to fit or is that in it's stock truck application ???

 

Here is my 14 bolt rear for reference: