Ok, so I went through all the articles on this board to try to find a distinct answer but I can't seem to do it. I have a 2001 GV with a Aluminum front diff. I would like to upgrade this one to steel. Now I know the 99+ GV manual comes with a steel one but the gearing is different.

1) If I replace it with one of these, can I take the gears from my current one and put it in the steel one?

2)If not and I used the manual gears, would I need to swap out the rear gears?

3)Would an XL7 front housing fit? What is the gear ration on these? Mounting points the same?

I just put on some 237-75-16 tires yesterday and plan on doing a body+suspension lift in the next few months, but wanted to strengthen the vehicle before I do these as preventive maintanance.

Thanks Much...

1) If I replace it with one of these, can I take the gears from my current one and put it in the steel one?

yes

2)If not and I used the manual gears, would I need to swap out the rear gears?

Yes!!! They need to be the same ratio.  But you don't want to do that they are 4.30 compared to your current 4.875.  You need to go higher to offset your bigger tires (5.125)

3)Would an XL7 front housing fit? What is the gear ration on these? Mounting points the same?

Housing-yes. Gears-4.30 http://www.zukiworld.com/main_departments_techspecs.htm Mounting points to the crossmember are slightly different, but supposedly a stronger design.

So you read these two articles right?
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_030104/feature_tsb_shiftontheflyremoval.htm

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_090103/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements.htm

Ok, I just read the second article. So my question now is that if I'm keeping my current gearing and want to keep the on the fly 4WD, Do I just take off the front diff housing after dissconnecting the driveshafts? I don't have the have the ring and pinnion set up if I'm keeping the current gears correct?

Thanks Much!!!

You know, I should just go stick a magnet to the thing but I've been told that 2003-2005 GV's ALL had steel front diffs.  I think...