I would just swap third members. I believe that it should work, I am taking a third member from an 88 and setting up gears in it and doing a similar thing. The differences are from the steering knuckle out.

 

Spindles are different and not sure if the 87 had abs sensors in the hubs like the 93. But I do think you can swap the pumpkins between the 2 if they are both dana 44's.

 

Just swap the pumpkin

The pumpkins are interchangeable, so just swap them. I had an 87 pumpkin laying around, had my new gearset and traction device installed, and then took it to work one night and swapped it in. Get some Right Stuff RTV to seal it, and replace the seals while you're there. If you have time, give it a bath and some paint to refresh it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had a feeling that I was going to have to swap 3rd members. How long does it take to get 1 out? Just trying to plan my weekend.

 

The time is in taking off the wheel, hubs, spindles to get the axles out. Once all that is removed, remove the driveshaft, the bolts that hold the pumkin on and you are done.

It can be done it 4-5 hours. Remember you have to do this to the donor truck also. Like they said above. Remove the donor one, freshen it up so it is ready to go.
Since it will all be apart, it would be best to regrease the bearings and replace the axle u joints if needed. This can a dd a few hours.

 

I am not a great mechanic and I think I could do it in a day, but the axles may be hard to pull from what others have said.

 

If you are rebuilding the diff and front and front end parts plan on a couple of days.If you finish early go wheeling to test it out!lol
Take pics too!opc1:

 

Didn't plan on rebuilding it, just swapping. I was thinking of replacing inner axle seals on 3rd member while I had it out but really nothing else. Now I just got to find the time to tear them down & put them back together. Story of my life, more projects than time! Thank you for all the advise, guys. This site is awesome.

 

if you work efficiently (w/ air tools) you can have the front diff out in 90 min, quite easily.

wash the underside of your truck, in and around the TTB parts very well first. it will make your life much easier.

cleaning, siezed/broken bolts, painting, repairing/maintenence will add lots of time to the job.

 

Thanks, Red. That means it should take me 2-1/2hrs w/ air tools. Don't ask, things like this never go as easy as planned for me.