96 front diff. question

[explorer 99 xlt]

Hey all I have a 96 explorer sport with the vaccum controled diff. I also have a 98 sport parts vehicle with the diff without it. Now i am assuming the 98's is engaged all the time. My question is if i put the 98's diff in the 96, will my 4x4 be opperational or will it see the vaccum diaprham is not there and not engae it? I am wondering cause my vaccum dissconnect quits on me sometimes whaen i need it most and i thought this may be more reliable. All help would be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I suppose you can swap the diff's. I have a 96 under mine now for the very reason it is a vac disconnect, less spinning parts at highway speed is better, IMO. It will bolt in and work, though it may give your GEM fits because of no signal from the diff indicator.

 

[gijoecam]

Yes, you can swap it out. AFAIK, there is no sensor on the actuator, so there's no reason it wouldn't work. Just disconnect and cap the lines at the solenoids and don't worry about it.

-Joe