I am a member on a chevrolet colorado forum and i am thinking of swaping my rear axle with the rear axle of a h3 with the e locker and 4.11 gears with disic breaks if that is an option. This weekend if going to a couple junk yards that have h3's to look for axles. I know with my axle these are the rear ratio codes they are GT4 Rear axle, 3.73 ratio, GT5 Rear axle, 4.10 ratio, GU6 Rear axle, 3.42 ratio. Then if it says g80 it will have a g80 automatic locker in the rear.
the width of my rear axle is 58 inches. I was wondering if you guys could give me some info axle the codes for your axles and the codes they have for saying the gears and lockers.

Thanks,
joey

 

on H3's if it has an I5 engine it has 4.56 gears, if it has the 5.3 V8 it has 4.11 gears. There were no options otherwise and I seriously doubt you'll find an exception (someone would have had to change the factory gears), and there is nothing lower than the 4.56's for the front diff. available and I doubt that anyone would want to gear it up. Look for two wires coming out of the top right side of the diff housing for the locker.

 

Thank you,
Joey

 

correction; that would be the top left (drivers) side for the wires.

 

Is the wires for the rear axle coming out of the top of the differential, also i am going to have to run switches and wires is there any way i can buy a kit or make a good kit for the e lockers.

 

Yes the wires for the locker come out of the top of the diff. You will need to wire it, I can run you through it with some part #'s you'll need when I get home this weekend.

 

Alright thanks.

 

Also, G80 is an automatic locker on all other vehicles. That is a mechanical, automatic locker, not an e-locker. I think the e-locker might have a different code.

 

alright ill lock into that because i dont want an g80 they are a piece of junk.

 

If you buy a wrecking yard rear from an H3, try to get both ends of the wiring harness plug. The reason I say that is the half of the plug you will have to buy to tie into the rear end is about 35.00 if I remember right, GM part # for the harness end is 15306156. You could wire it without a plug if you wanted. Other than that you'll want a 12 volt relay and a switch. I prefer a lighted switch that tells me when the locker is powered up. Also an Eaton dealer can sell you a wiring kit for the E-locker, I think they're about $90.00.

An aside to consider is that if you're going to change gear ratios you may want to look into buying the front diff out of the same H3. The reason I say that is, I believe that they used the same diff housing as the Colorado. If that is correct then you can probably buy the complete housing from the front of an H3 (about $400.00 used) VS changing the gear ratio in your Colorado (probably $600.00 without new bearings $800.00 with). Another thing to consider in that realm, is, that if the front diff will work it is available in cast iron and with the E-locker as well. Cast iron for all alphas and 09 and later adventure package all had cast iron with E-locker. If I was building an Colorado I would research this very seriously as it would be a great improvement.