Gen II idler arm into Gen I

Direct bolt in using 3 of the 4 Gen II bracket holes. Will need to disconnect and reposition one power steering line--easily done.

Pros: stronger, greaseable, longer lasting

Cons: Gen II arm is slightly longer and higher than the Gen I. While there is no apparent interference or noticeable difference in cornering or handling, since this is a new mod the long term effects are unknown.

write-up

Several forum members have successfully swapped front Gen2 3.5L calipers and caliper brackets onto their Gen1 3.0 trucks using the original Gen1 3.0 rotors. It was suspected that the Gen2 3.5L rotors and dust shields would also swap, but no confirmation. They do--the only modification required is the dust shield. The Gen2 dust shields need to be trimmed to allow the lower portion of the Gen2 bracket to mount on the Gen1 knuckle. The rotors swap directly. Also, it looks like the Gen2 hubs can be swapped on a Gen1; there are just a few differences.

Difference #1: the Gen1 has notches which appear to have no function in 3 of the six points where the locking hubs mount. Gen2 on the left, and Gen1 on the right.



The Gen1 hub looks slightly bigger in diameter in that picture but it's an optical illusion; the measured circumference is the same.

Difference #2: the top portion of the hubs have some differences in grooving. On the Gen2 the optional ABS ring would mount in that area. Since the Gen1 wouldn't use the ABS ring, it probably doesn't matter. Gen1 on left, Gen2 on the right.



Note the dimension from the top to the bottom of the hubs are the same.

Difference #3: the Gen2 has a thinner ring where the wheel mounts. Therefore the wheel would be slightly farther in (about 3mm) toward the frame if used on a Gen1. Same picture above.

Here's a comparison of the rotors. The distance from the hub mount to the top of the rotors is the same, but the working portion of the Gen2 is obviously thicker, with wider cooling vents in the center. This is the thicker Gen2 3.5L rotor. 27mm as compared to the 22mm Gen1 3.0L rotor.



Also, the hub bolts for the Gen2 3.5L are shorter than the Gen1 (46mm vs. 55mm) The bolts from the Gen1 can't be used to mount the Gen2 3.5 rotor because the threads don't go down far enough for the nut to secure the rotor.

The road test after installing the full Gen2 3.5L brake setup (calipers, caliper support, dust shield, rotor) went great. I didn't do any agressive braking because I haven't broken in the pads yet, but even light braking seemed improved over the original setup. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

So when it comes to engines, I have a 91 Gen 1 6G72, what kind of compatibility issues do you run into putting my 6G72 into a Gen 2 along with the trans?

Depends on the year of the gen 2you plan to swap it into. An 92-93 would be close to bolt in. But keep in mind the tailhousings on the t

Depends on the year of the gen 2you plan to swap it into. An 92-93 would be close to bolt in. But keep in mind the tailhousings on the trans are different in order to fit the Active track T-case.

If your talking 94 and later your looking at working with the wiring harness and computer as well as a different trans. Probably too much work for less power and a smaller trans.

So, if I kept the engine from my '91 and put it in a '92-93 and kept the trans from the '92-93, everything should bolt up fine? The reason I'm asking is I'm kind of attached to my engine that I rebuilt last year and wouldn't mind putting it in a more comfortable rig.

Yes thats what I'm saying. You can go with any model from 92-93. If you go 94 only the LS model still had the 3.0 12V SOHC. All 95 and up had the 3.0 24V Or the 3.5.

Sweet.

Does anybody have an idea whether the oil cooler from my 1991 RS will work on a 1995 LS? The only reason that I come up with that might be a problem would be that the '95 is the 24v version and might require a larger capacity unit. They have different part #s and bolt up a little differently. But nothing that can't be cobbled a little to fit.

Confirmed recent swaps:

Donor: 93 RS LWB 3.0 12V SOHC
Recipeint: 89 SWB V6

Parts:
Fan with clutch

Notes: looks to be exactly the same, no benifit other than upgrading to a newer part as my old fan was mangled and wasnt spinning true.

Part:
Brake booster hose

Notes: Nice aluminum pipe that runs along the firewall and conects with small rubber pieces on the connection ends. No benefit other than a replacement for old hardened all rubber gen 1 hose and it looks cool. Routes the same along the firewall.