The big Front Carrier is the same between gen 1 3.0 and GenII 3.5. However the gears are cut different. The smaller Carriers on the later 4 Cyl and the Gen II 3.0 are the same once again with different gear cut. The Gen 2's (both small and large) are high pinion. Not sure how or if the entire assembly will easily swap. No one has documented it yet.

i think that stuff has been done, I hate the gen 2 CAD setup on the diffs so i swapped out the large front diff from a sport and all that bolted right up. I'll use the gen 1 large diff for the next gen 2 project i do and i'll take pictures and make sure its 100% bolt on.

That is for Gen II 3.0 ATs. Accordng to others more knowledgeable, the [few] MTs have the same front as the 3.5s.

Yea, the rare 3.0 manual trans gen 2's got the big diff as well. That would be a nice find to come across in the yard.

I'm real interested in M.Sport to Gen 1 capabilities.
I used M.Sport front calipers.

So you put a M.S. front diff. into a Gen2.
Did you have any problem with the front axles and if so Which axles did you use?
Same ? on front driveshahts.
Putting a high pinion diff in a gen 1 sounds like you might need to do something with the driveshaft. That is if I understand what a H.P. diff carrier would looks like.

I have a 3.0 MT , which is a red headed stepchild 'cause there is something different about MT axles on Gen 1 M.T.s than Gen1 A.T.s ( does somebody know what the difference is?)

Since I can't find a gen 2 rear end or a V5MT1-3 I'm curious about getting a rear with those disc brakes and 4.9 that alldata says comes on 2000 and later 4x4 M.S.s.

I've only seen 2wd M.S., never a 4wd around these parts.

Ray, can you sticky this thread. I'll have some stuff to add real soon and I want to add to this without searching each time thanks.

J, have you thought about maybe cleaning it up a bit and editing it to make it a fo real Tech article? Just a thought... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

KrzyDav The size of the CV shafts is different for sure on the gen1 V6 at/mt. I went thru this a while ago with mine. Its an auto so I ordered new auto shafts for it. Phil swapped in the MT diff from Betsy 2. The MT shafts are bigger at the diff end. The mounting flange for the pass side is larger with a different bolt pattern and the shaft on the driver side is larger diameter and different spline. The pass side flange on the diff could be redrilled though.

Rear axle I only ever had the auto so not sure.

Also I just put a gen2 auto diesel 488 front into the monty. It does bolt in place if you change the brackets over, but that's where it ends. The CV's are longer by a little. The drive shaft is to short due to the auto gen2 diff being physically smaller. But I used the gen1 auto shafts I bought before that didn't fit. Bolted right in.

Done! Great idea starting it! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Hi, all. A newbie Gen I owner here. Sorry to resurrect a very old thread, but was wondering on the upper control arm swap, does the Gen I ball joint still fit, or will I have to use a Gen II ball joint, as well? Thanks!