[walkeralabamaranger]

Is that the 2wd 6 cylinder, or is it 4wd?

I don’t know that I need one, but should find out this week.

 

[MeToo]

Just as a comment, my 2004 4WD has the 4.9.

My former 2001 4WD has the 4.636.

 

[Ricot83]

Is that the 2wd 6 cylinder, or is it 4wd?

I don’t know that I need one, but should find out this week.

I have a complete rear 2wd that I took the lsd third member out of, it was a 2002 and I literally took the third member out and popped it in my 4wd rear axle. Both 4.9 gearing. The only difference is on the “nose” there is a speed sensor on the 2wd. 4wd does not utilize this sensor so you just leave it abs ignore…
So just to clarify what I have available:
I h a complete 2wd rear axle assembly missing the third member
I have a 2004 2wd lsd third member
Lastly a 4wd rear open diff third member
All 4.9 gears

 

[walkeralabamaranger]

I’m still trying to make a decision. The 2004 third member should fit my rear end, which is where my noise (just a whirring sound between 30-45 mph) is coming from. Mechanic doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about, but having an extra third member laying around would possibly save me from replacing the whole rear end in the future.
I haven’t done any rear and work before. How is it to get everything lined up correctly (axles and drive shaft)? Is the length on all of these third members uniform? Our 2003 has the H233B, 4.9 rear end with the two part drive shaft.

Again, I’m just a novice when it comes to this stuff, looking for a bit of reassurance on fit and difficulty of doing the work.

 

[Ricot83]

I’m still trying to make a decision. The 2004 third member should fit my rear end, which is where my noise (just a whirring sound between 30-45 mph) is coming from. Mechanic doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about, but having an extra third member laying around would possibly save me from replacing the whole rear end in the future.
I haven’t done any rear and work before. How is it to get everything lined up correctly (axles and drive shaft)? Is the length on all of these third members uniform? Our 2003 has the H233B, 4.9 rear end with the two part drive shaft.

Again, I’m just a novice when it comes to this stuff, looking for a bit of reassurance on fit and difficulty of doing the work.

I don’t think your whirring would be rear end related. Your rear driveshaft will have a “carrier bearing” just on top of the crossmember behind the transfer case. I bet that the rubber has separated from its mount and that’s the issue… it’s about a 20-50$ part abs a couple hours of labor if you’ve never done it.
As far as whether it is 2wd or 4wd
That doesn’t matter as the third member will bolt up to either axle housing…. The 2wd used an abs speed sensor at the pinion and the 4wd has the sensors at each wheel…
I just installed a 2wd third member with lsd into my 4wd rear axle, no issues and it is literally just bolting and unbolting a bunch of stuff, nothing to straighten out or adjust.

 

[walkeralabamaranger]

My mechanic replaced the tail shaft seal last week and didn’t think the carrier bearing needed any attention. Said it sounded like the rear diff when he drove it. I’m kind of frozen trying to figure out whether or not to buy. I appreciate the info and I’ll try to make a decision soon

 

[Ricot83]

Just let me know what you need. Is it possible one of your rear brakes is adjusted too tight causing the sound? Or maybe a bearing in the housing?

 

[walkeralabamaranger]

I do think so. Definitely sounds centered over the back end.