How do you tell the difference between the two?

 

How about using the gear ratio for identifcation. I don't think there are visual differences between a 2 & 3 series carrier.

 

Unless you had them side by side, you'd never know the difference. You can't even "see" it until you stand them on end and measure the distance to the face where the ring gear bolts on.....it's 1/4" either "left" or "right" to accommodate normally larger or normally smaller pinion gears.

How to tell? Well, if the carrier has factory 2.73's --> 3.08's, then it's a 2-series. If it has 3.23's --> 3.42's, then it's a 3-series. However, 3-series ratios can be bought to fit onto 2-series carriers.....difference being the ring gear is 1/4" thicker.

 

2.41's & 2.56's use the 2 series, all others use the 3 series on 8.5" ring & pinions. What are you wanting to do?

 

Visually the ring gear is a fair bit thicker on the 3 series carrier gear for a 2 series carrier.

 

May be true, but unless you know the thickness ("fair bit thicker") is not a very good discription.

 

Have you ever looked at the 2?? I have and there is a noticable difference, sorry I cant measure it to tell you exactly because I am at work.

 

Tell that to the guy who asked the question and explain your little bit bigger if he he hasn't seen the two
before. You sounf like the farmer who said its a hoot and holler over the next hill.

 

When I had a 2-series and a 3-series carrier side-by-side and I measured, the difference is 1/4" (location of the face where the ring gear bolts to...hence, the 2-series ring gear would be 1/4" thicker for a 3-series ratio). A 1/4" is visible to the naked eye.

 

I agree, but what would the dimension be if the rear was in the car??? What is the 1/4" number compared to???
Example: I check the thickness and its and its 1.175 is this number 1/4 small or larger to a 2 or 3 series carrier ????

 

What I'm talking about is having the two carriers side-by-side, on a flat bench, standing on one of the bearings (they've gotta be standing on the same side). If you measure from the bench to the face of the carrier where the ring gear bolts on to, that face will be 1/4" offset depending on which carrier you've got. If they're installed in the car, looking from the back, a 2-series carrier's gear face would be 1/4" *left* compared to a 3-series carrier's.

...does that make sense?

 

No... not when the diff is in the car and you cant compare it to another one. As I posted a reply to the original question, use the gear ratio stamped on the dr gear for 2 or 3 series carrier. I was just curious to see what people would reply and did get some replies. The gem was "a fair bit thicker".
The End

 

I know you guys have it sorted but I found this breakers yard that explains it pretty good with pictures too, here is the link:

http://www.tacreationsusa.com/differential_carriers.htm