Hey guys this is my first time posting in this forum so, Hello!

Anyways on to my question. I have an '07 Silverado 1500, nothing special, no mods, just my daily driver. It has an open differential and I now live in Alaska. I really need some traction up here. I want to switch to a Limited Slip Differential.

My question is, what do I need to get the job done? Do I need a whole new rear or can I just swap out all the internals with say, a Eaton Posi or TruTrac? Would this be an easy swap? Costly? I've never really tackled a rear end project but I can hold my own with a wrench. I don't race the truck or anything like that I just want power to both wheels.

I don't want a G80 and NO I can't just get a 4WD, I like my truck. Any help will be appreciated.

 

this is what im about to do and from the research ive done, you dont have to pull the rear end, you can just change out the internals and im wondering about what an lsd would cost...good question tho

 

i highly recommend a trutrac. the swap from open to posi is really easy. all you need to do is unbolt the gear from the open carrier and bolt it on the trutrac.

 

Don't forget to check the backlash and shim accordingly. Any lsd will be better than the grenade-80!! You can get one of the install kits with everything needed, and depending on which one you go with, be sure to run the right lube/additives.

 

Tru-trac with Non synthetic rearend grease and an install kit. Just unbolt the housing on the back of the rearend and get to work. you'll need a Tq Wrench that can tq in both directions.

 

Ron's has a nice kit for that. Comes with all new bearings, races, shims, even locktite for the ring gear bolts. I think its like 80 or 90 bucks. If you are just swapping the differential, chances are your backlash will be unaffected. Machining tolerances on those differentials are typically spot on, so it may simply be a drop in with no additional shimming required. But ALWAYS check backlash to make sure. Your pattern should be unaffected as well.

 

I've done 2, and didn't need to buy the install kit.

 

Thanks to everyone who chimed in. I didn't think it would be too difficult of a job but just wanted some advice to get me in the right direction.

Does anyone know, off the top of your head, what size the differential is for my truck? 7.5, 8.5? I know the gears are 3.23.

 

8.6, 99 and up use the 8.6 but the only difference between it and the 8.5 is the bearings on the carrier i believe.

 

Thanks man!