Install front differential install 5.0 awd

[crunchie_frog]

My front differential needs replacing. I dropped one out from the junkyard yesterday with the driver's side axle in place, no issues getting it out with this axle in place, saved a good bit of time. I am wanting to know if anyone has reinstalled one with the driver's axle in place. Seems like if it came out that way, I might could get it back in but I am working against gravity this time. I have a trans jack that should help me lift the differential up in place. I have read as many threads as I can find about this and it is not clear to me on the reinstall if I can do it with the driver's axle in place but I was thinking since some dropped it this way that they could reinstall this way as well. Just looking for someone with experience on the reinstall to confirm. thanks,

 

[donalds]

I'd go for it

 

[crunchie_frog]

Anyone out there ever reinstalled the front differential with the driver's side axle still in place? Thanks,

 

[crunchie_frog]

fwiw, finished the install this past weekend. For me anyway, it was easier to do with both axles out. I tried it leaving the drivers side in but had difficulty getting everything lined up correctly trying to get the driver side axle in and the mounting brackets aligned. I did not have a helper and even with the trans jack I felt like I needed an extra pair of hands. I mean pulling the drivers side may have added an hour to the job at the most so I would suggest that to anyone doing it without a helper.