Front Diff Gear Ratio change
 

Hey Guys, Ive Slowly been building up my ZR2 over time and after hours of research i finally come up empty handed.
I have a 05 ZR2 with 3.73 Gear Ratio.
I just purchased a 2000 (for parts) with 3.42 gear ratio.
Question 1 will the Front diff from the 2000 work (aside from different gear ratio's) in my 2005?
I have found nothing that would lead me to believe it wouldn't As the lift in the ZR2 is achieved by different suspension mount points and longer cv axles.
(I am doing a 5speed swap and the parts truck is a 5 speed with iron front diff.)
Secondly is there a "carrier" in the front diff or is it more of a open concept deal?
If it had a "Carrier" per say, it would make it a lot easier to change.
Thanks in Advance.

The front diff swaps fine (I had a cast iron zr2 in my 87 for a few months) but the front ratio has to match the rear ratio or a diff or t-case will blow up when put in 4x4.

Okay so what is involved in switching gears out

Honestly if you are asking, have it done. It requires special tools and knowing exactly what you are doing. Its not a normal DIY job as just a few thousandths off when setting up gears will ruin the diff. I've done a few when I've had too (own the tools and grew up doing them in my dads shop) and I still hire my gear jobs out every chance I can get.

I know ya hate it but might as well have 3.73s put in that blazer diff. With 3.43s on 31s your zr2 is gonna be a dog. 3.73 fronts are a rare combo. I lucked out and my blazer had tem factory. Back when I wasn't gonna heavily mod my blazer it took my 3 years of looking to find the super rare cast iron zr2 front diff. Ran it for a year when I decided to sas and sold that diff for 2x what I gave for it.

Thanks for the info, Ive read and considered off and on about swapping the front diff case to the iron front diff from my parts truck mainly because im in the midst of a 5 speed swap and the aluminum cases have a tendency to crack.
Thanks again, Ill be looking for a decent gear shop up here in canada