I need to know if there is a difference in 3rd and 4th gen carriers. I know that the earlier GM rears were either the series 2, or series 3 carriers and gear set had to match the carrier. Now I have had several people tell me that 4th gen gear set will fit either series carrier. Is this bull sh*t, or for real ?????

 

It is the BS.

4th gen carriers and gears are the same as 3rd gen in every respect, except that the 89-back 3rd gen ones have the thinner axles.

The shape of the sheet metal wrapped around the differential does not alter the fact that as the gear ratio changes the pinion diameter also changes; and that either the thickness of the ring gear, or the distance from the ring gear mounting flange on the carrier to the center of the pinion, must also change.

 

Thanks for the reply, I thought as much but without knowing for sure I didnt want to call their bluff. So does the 4th gen have series 2 carriers as well? Most of them that I have heard about have high numerical gear sets making them series 3. And just so I understand this....the 4th gen carrier is made for a larger spline and wouldnt work with 3rd gen axles?