How to replace rear differential

[LittleBeast]

This is how I replaced my stock 4.30 rear differential with the new 4.78 gears:

1st you must drain as much of the diff fluid you can out of the drain plug, then jack up the rear end and support with multiple jack stands for safety, always have backups, never trust one thing to hold the weight of the VX, I always engage the 4xlow and make sure the VX is in park and make sure front tires cannot move:


Then afte you have removed the wheels, you will remove the 2 bolts holding the brake caliper in place and then remove the 4 bolts holding the axle housings in place:




Then remove the ABS sensor:




Then remove the emergency brake bracket:


Then pull out the axle half:


Then remove the 4 bolts connecting the driveline to the 3rd member:




Then remove all 10 bolts holding the rear 3rd member in place:






I had the stock Limited Slip unit taken out of this stock 4.30 gears and put into the new 4.78 gears:




This is after I had Houston Ring and Pinion professionally set-up the new 4.78 gears with the stock LSD:


Then you need to use some RTV black silicone gasket maker to form a continual bead of silicone sealer around the edge of the new diff going back in:


Then you might need to use a jack to raise the new diff up into place and tighten bolts, I did not use a jack but it was pretty heavy, make sure to not over tighten bolts or all the sealer will be pressed out:




While I had the brake rotors removed I repainted the old rusted out center with some silver brake caliper metal paint, this is definitely optional:




After this you just put everything back together the same way you took it off. Reconnect the driveline to the 4 bolt flange on the new 3rd member. Then slide axles back in and tighten the 4 bolts that hold them in place. Then reinstall the brake rotor and caliper using the 2 bolts you removed. Then replace the emergency brake bracket and then ABS sensor. Then make sure everything is tight, put the wheels back on lower it down to the ground and fill it back up with fluid (NOTE: normally the RTV silicone gasket sealer calls for at least a full 24 hours to dry before filling back up, but absolutely do not forget to fill diff back up). I would use cheap normal gear oil at first ($10 a gallon) and then once you have confirmed you have no leaks you can drain the normal stuff and put in some synthetic stuff ($10 a quart). Rear end should hold just over 2 quarts. Hope this helps.