I have a 2000 blazer with ta rear end code gu6 (gear ratio 3.42) that needs to be replaces. My local salvage yard says that they only interchange years 98-03. They have one from a 97. Whats the difference? I read somewhere that the only difference was the the 2000 had disk brakes and the 97 didn't and all you have to do is swap out the backing plates and axes. Is this true? If so will everthing else bolt up accordingly

 

does your axle have a speed sensor in the diff? if not it should work with a little swapping.

 

On the 2000 or 97. I think on the 2000 the spped sensor in located off the transfer case. Ill check and post back later

 

no speed sensor

 

it will most likely work. yea the speed sensor should be on the transfercase on both of the vehicles. I have seen a few bravadas with a sensor on the rear diff before. thats why i asked....

 

Ok its tricky but correct the 97's were equiped with drums in the rear but still if you got a gu6 rear end your good to go.

The trick is to carfully cut your old rear end around 4 hole backing plate.
Both side clean the axle from the inside ring and slide onto replacment axle.
I used a small angle grinder with a whaffer wheel for the cuts. Then chucked a gringing wheel in to clean the excess weld away.

One more trick when your beating the left over center material out of the salvaged plates use your one of the old rotors as a punch table the hole is the pefect size to punch the axel remains out. Make sure you grind enouph of the weld away before-hand and it should punch out pretty easy.

I added some picks in my garage so you can see exactly how I did it on mine.

Space them out from the existing plates about 1/2" use hardend washes and high strength bolts black oxide finish. Now the drum will covers the brake shoes properly.