Thanks, I'll check both. Question on differential(s). I'll most likely go used to save money. Is these piece a rover-only part or is there anything interchangeable like a ford truck piece, etc.? Just thinking I'll try a salvage yard.

 

There are salvage yards, and there are dismantlers that post on this forum. A drain of the diffs will reveal if chunks and metal stew is present. Many go back with 85W150, and transfer case also.

 

That would be a blessing. Thanks, Buzz

 

Well, had to take some time off for my two week national guard training. Finally got back to look at the truck. I tried the diff fliud first. When I took the drain plug off and reached my finger in there, I could actually feel loose parts floating around. I looked for a thread to replace the rear diff. Could anyone guide me in the right direction?

 

How to replace the rear diff on a DI?
Remove the wheels, loosen the hub flange bolts and pull the axles out part way.
Unhook the rear drive shaft from the diff.
Unbolt diff, pull it out, drop it on your chest cracking your rib cage.
Pay to have "new" unit installed.
Install is reverse of removal.

 

Thanks, Spike. I'll try and skip the ribs parts.

 

Found the issue (see pic). Broken gear pieces floating all in the axle. Before I order another I'm going to check out the front diff as well the the t-case. Any ideas what would have caused this other than years and years of poor maintenance? Also, the front hubs seem to be a little more complex than the rear, Any tips?

 

That does not snap because of poor maintenance.
If all you are doing on the front is wheel bearings they are the same as the rear.

 

Diffs aren't that bad I shredded the spider gears and the pin the ( smaller gears) in my rear diff while off roading. Same as the pic u have except my Pin was in three pieces and cracked the inner cage that holds spiders I took the entire pumpkin from a junk yard rover and had to do some switching around since it was a three bolt and mine is four but swapped gears put it all back in and whooohooo it runs great. Check ur front diff too. And with damage like that to gears check and maybe proactively replace u joints on both shafts u joints should go before gears so check them. Use a torque wrench when reassembling pumpkin!!!!

 

Yea wheel bearings pretty much same front and back. And also front hub assembly only looks more complicated but it's really not that bad at all once you get to disassembly name all the parts and see how it all comes together.