Rear diff upgrade 84 C20 camper special

[Arctic Taco]

Howdy all,
I have an 84 C20 camper special- formerly a 6.2l ‘diesel’ engine- now a 305 small block- so I have been told. I think it has a Turbo 400 AT.
OEM came with an Eaton? LSD, apparently this rear end grenaded one winter down in Anchorage and was replaced with an open diff, due to time constraints and parts availability. This info is from the previous owner’s recollection, not at the same time as the engine was replaced but sometime after.
I am looking for replacement options, like a complete rear end preferably an earlier 75-80’ vintage rear end, that I can put a Nitro Helix or a Torsten diff into while refurbishing the entire rear axle seals and bearings,(lots of river crossings in it’s previous life- already replaced all the bearings and races up front). Easier to just swap the entire rear axle given the location.
Any input is welcome. Thanks

 

[bucket]

What axle is in it now? Semi-float or full-floating axles?

I don't know of a Torsen diff available for either of them.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Not sure, I‘ll have to check it when I go back over to my buddy’s place next month- where it is stored. I would prefer to swap it out with a full floating rear end regardless of what it has currently. Building it to do some work.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Howdy all,
I have an 84 C20 camper special- formerly a 6.2l ‘diesel’ engine- now a 305 small block- so I have been told. I think it has a Turbo 400 AT.
OEM came with an Eaton? LSD, apparently this rear end grenaded one winter down in Anchorage and was replaced with an open diff, due to time constraints and parts availability. This info is from the previous owner’s recollection, not at the same time as the engine was replaced but sometime after.
I am looking for replacement options, like a complete rear end preferably an earlier 75-80’ vintage rear end, that I can put a Nitro Helix or a Torsten diff into while refurbishing the entire rear axle seals and bearings,(lots of river crossings in it’s previous life- already replaced all the bearings and races up front). Easier to just swap the entire rear axle given the location.
Any input is welcome. Thanks

why a 75-80 and not 81-87?

 

[Arctic Taco]

From what I have read, Torsten type lockers are more available for the earlier generation truck, although I need to do a lot more research to find out what type Dana rear ends were available in the 80’s.

Plus I prefer older rigs/ parts, more versatile for my shade tree mechanic skills, and I find on some brands of vehicles that the older models are a lot sturdier. Not sure about Chevrolets/GMC models. My only experience is with 60-66’ and early 50’s trucks.

 

[bucket]

It won't be a Dana at all. If it's a C20 it should have 8-lug wheels. If so it will be a 9.5" semi-floating 14 bolt "corporate" axle or a 10.5" full-floating 14 bolt "corporate" axle.

 

[bucket]

There's a sticky thread at the beginning of this category that talks about the two different 14 bolts.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks for the info, looks like I have a bit of research ahead of me.