[C21964]

I'm looking at doing the 4.10 gear swap myself. I've sent out emails to 3 shops and visited a fourth and still no confirmations on anything after a week. 4WP sells the Dana gears but not the install kits. I've also may have complicated it by swapping in a ZR2 front axle. I checked the ECGS website but couldn't find any of the parts listed. I was thinking about getting the rear E-Locker but saw a UTube video where it recommended a front e-locker and a rear automatic one...

Regarding the ZR2 front axle, my understanding is the ring and pinion are identical on all current generation Canyon/Colorado 4WD. What I have not figured out is how to find the Dana/Spicer install kits that would include the ring gear spacer that I think is necessary with the front Spicer ring gear.

Regarding lockers I think it depends on how you use your truck. Serious off road use the e-locker makes a lot of sense. For me with no serious offroad use, but trailer pulling in wet weather and occasional dirt and muddy roads for camping, the G80 works fine and the automatic engagement makes more sense. Have pondered getting a front e-locker for the occasional slippery forest service road and getting to a campsite, but if it is bad enough to need it probably shouldn't be taking my trailer there anyway.

 

[WV NATIVE]

Have pondered getting a front e-locker for the occasional slippery forest service road and getting to a campsite, but if it is bad enough to need it probably shouldn't be taking my trailer there anyway.

If that’s all you are doing off-road you’ll never need a front locker. Save your money for something else.

I think a lot of people just use their lockers because they have them. The percentage that truly need them is very very low.

 

[kalikraven]

Does anyone have the part number for the front Spicer Ring Gear Spacer? I've tried to find some of this stuff on the web but it can be challenging... I found it made by Nitro Gear but I'd prefer to go with Spicer. Its the same with the installation kits. I cant find them either for Spicer, Nitro is all over the place... I'm trying to put it all together so It will be a a lot easier to find a shop for the installation.

 

[801ZR2]

I am going through this process right now. The truck is literally in pieces. The dana gear is thinner and requires a new carrier or a spacer. I spoke to dana tech support just now. They do not offer a carrier or a spacer at this time. If anyone finds and additional info, I would greatly appreciate it.


Are the diffs in the 2.5l Colorados the the same as the 3.6l and 2.8l? If so, i wonder if the 4.10 carrier from there would work?

 

[93Duc]

If anyone finds and additional info, I would greatly appreciate it.

Are the diffs in the 2.5l Colorados the the same as the 3.6l and 2.8l? If so, i wonder if the 4.10 carrier from there would work?

I have Dana part numbers, but have been trying to get some talk time with a buddy who is in the process of regearing (waiting on parts). Want to confirm several things he and I had discussed before posting so as not to give incorrect information.

Re your question - everything I have read is that the 2.5L Colorado differential is not the same.

 

[C21964]

You might try Motive Gear.

Ring Gear Spacers from Motive Gear

One thing about our application is that the ring gears use 12MM 1.25tp bolts which is larger diameter than most others.

 

[801ZR2]

I got some more info from calling around to various gear supply places, dana tech support, and AEV.
There is for sure no carrier available for the e-locker at this time.
You can get a custom spacer machined or you can try an aftermarket one from another brand. Although Spicer did frown upon the idea of using a spacer.
You can run the Spicer rear and a Nitro front. I reached out to AEV and they confirmed that is the combo they run on their upfit kits.

 

[93Duc]

I got some more info from calling around to various gear supply places, dana tech support, and AEV.
There is for sure no carrier available for the e-locker at this time.
You can get a custom spacer machined or you can try an aftermarket one from another brand. Although Spicer did frown upon the idea of using a spacer.
You can run the Spicer rear and a Nitro front. I reached out to AEV and they confirmed that is the combo they run on their upfit kits.

That is the same information I’ve received also.

 

[kalikraven]

Well I ordered the front and rear Dana Gears this morning and the spacer. I guess I may return the front gear and spacer if that’s not a recommended setup.

 

[C21964]

I got some more info from calling around to various gear supply places, dana tech support, and AEV.
...................................................................................................
You can run the Spicer rear and a Nitro front. I reached out to AEV and they confirmed that is the combo they run on their upfit kits.

Good information for me, as that is exactly what I am doing with my 4.10 gears.

 

[801ZR2]

I got some more info from calling around to various gear supply places, dana tech support, and AEV.
There is for sure no carrier available for the e-locker at this time.
You can get a custom spacer machined or you can try an aftermarket one from another brand. Although Spicer did frown upon the idea of using a spacer.
You can run the Spicer rear and a Nitro front. I reached out to AEV and they confirmed that is the combo they run on their upfit kits.

I should clarify here. The 190 from Dana is too thin and would require a spacer or new carrier. The rear 220 fits the stock carrier. So with a Nitro front 200 and Spicer 220 rear you should be able to install without any special parts.

As for install kits, i'd forgo them. Get OE parts from a GM dealer. Nitro install kits are notoriously wrong.

 

[93Duc]

I should clarify here. The 190 from Dana is too thin and would require a spacer or new carrier. The rear 220 fits the stock carrier. So with a Nitro front 200 and Spicer 220 rear you should be able to install without any special parts.

As for install kits, i'd forgo them. Get OE parts from a GM dealer. Nitro install kits are notoriously wrong.

This also lines up precisely with information and discussions I’ve encountered.

 

[C21964]

I should clarify here. The 190 from Dana is too thin and would require a spacer or new carrier. The rear 220 fits the stock carrier. So with a Nitro front 200 and Spicer 220 rear you should be able to install without any special parts.

As for install kits, i'd forgo them. Get OE parts from a GM dealer. Nitro install kits are notoriously wrong.

Problem with that is the GM OE carrier bearing shims and ring gear shims are very expensive like $65-$90 each!
GM also says not to reuse the cast oem carrier shims, I would guess because they are possibly prone to cracking when you fit them under pre-load even using the proper tool.

Here is what the Spicer front looks like next to the Nitro front ring gear

 

[kalikraven]

My Dana Front and Rear 4.10 Gears will show up tomorrow. I canceled the order for the ring gear spacer for the front and just ordered the thick 4.10 front gear from nitro. I'll return the Dana front gears and order the master install kits from ECGS. I've heard they are much better than the Nitro gear kits... Now just to make up my mind on the rear E-Locker. Leaning towards it as this is the time to do it...

Everyone here has been great with getting me the information to do this the best way possible. Thanks!!!

 

[kalikraven]

Quick question because I may end up doing this in stages… Is the transfer case a sealed case, where I can pull the front driveshaft and not have it leak? I may get the rear done while I’m on orders in VA and do the front when I get home. I have to swap the springs on my front struts because when I got the Fox coil overs they came with 500# springs and I need 650# springs.

 

[C21964]

Quick question because I may end up doing this in stages… Is the transfer case a sealed case, where I can pull the front driveshaft and not have it leak? I may get the rear done while I’m on orders in VA and do the front when I get home. I have to swap the springs on my front struts because when I got the Fox coil overs they came with 500# springs and I need 650# springs.

The front propshaft is attached with 6 bolts at each end. Just make sure that you mark the location at each end on the flanges before removing so you can match that up when reinstalling, nothing would be opened up as far as seals. Is your concern that you might accidentally engage 4WD with different gear ratios front and rear (which would be "bad") ? I guess you could go ahead with that plan unless someone else can think of a concern from doing it in 2 stages.

 

[kalikraven]

That's the plan. Remove the front driveshaft so there is no chance at all that 4WD can engage. I was just going to pull some fuses or relays but then the DIC would show alerts. I have to pull the front driveshaft anyway when I get the front done so why not. I ordered the rear E-Locker last night, figured I may regret it if I didn't and now is the time to do it. Still haven't heard from any of the shops I emailed in the Hampton/Virginia Beach area. I'll make some phone calls and see what's up.

 

[rotaryenginepete]

It looks like they sell Nitro and Yukon. Are the Yukon = Spicer?

No, Yukon is in a league of its own. They also have a budget line called USA Standard.

 

[kalikraven]

ECGS sells the Yukon master install kits. From my emails with them they are more complete than the Nitro kits. The Nitro kits do not have the crush washers but the Yukons do. I plan on ordering a front and rear kit from them later today.

 

[C21964]

ECGS sells the Yukon master install kits. From my emails with them they are more complete than the Nitro kits. The Nitro kits do not have the crush washers but the Yukons do. I plan on ordering a front and rear kit from them later today.

The crush sleeves were included in my Nitro install kits. I did purchase extra crush sleeves and OEM differential cover gaskets (no gaskets included). Main thing I noticed was the Nitro kits don't include as many shims as they used to, or ring gear bolts.