The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Differential Carrier Swap

I'm looking at options for swapping out the diff carrier in my 1942 3/4 ton pickup (4.55). I have a 3.90 GM 55T carrier (per the tech article on this swap) but it 's gear/shim surfaces are heavily scored. I'd rather not put a lot of money into a heavily used carrier that is already hard to get parts to repair. I'd like to know if there are any later model carriers (such as the 12 bolt/30 spline GM 12T) that can be swapped into my OE 1942 axle housing, as can be done with the GM 55T? My 1942 axle uses 17 spline shafts, so a 30 spline would mean custom axle shafts. I'm OK with that, as long as I can keep my OE 6X5.5 bolt pattern artillery wheels.

If anyone has any experience that would be helpful, I'd sure appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.