The differential is a system of gears that allows different drive wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, for example when your 1985 GMC C3500 is turning. Your outer wheel travels a longer distance on a wide turning radius, therefor it needs to rotate faster. Without a differential the outer wheel would slip making your 1985 GMC C3500 much harder to handle and wear your tires out at a dramatic rate.

When browsing for a differential there are different terminology you will run across and its important to understand what each one is. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) the differential is alongside the transmission inside a housing, and the unit is called a transaxle. Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles the differential is between the rear wheels and connected to the transmission by a driveshaft. All-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles add a centre differential or a transfer case to distribute power front and rear.

The simplest and most common differential is the "open differential". It gained its name because the wheels can always turn independently of each other. Its main drawback is that if one wheel doesn’t have traction, such as if it hits ice, it still gets lots of power. It spins helplessly, and you go nowhere. To combat this situation, some manufacturers use electronic systems that detect spinning wheels without traction and send signals to partially engage brakes on that wheel to channel the engine’s power to the other wheel on solid ground. A hydraulic differential lock can be temporarily engaged in a difficult off-road situation when one of the drive wheels digs deeper into snow, mud, or sand.

If you are an enthusiast looking for better vehicle handling for cornering, faster acceleration on the street, strip or track then you may benefit from installing a high-performance ring and pinion set with different gear ratio’s. Browse our digital shelves for your 1985 GMC C3500 to find a huge assortment of premium racing differentials and related components, such as durable and lightweight differential cases, housings, rings and pinions, spider gears, and much more.

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AUBURN GEAR 545026
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Some images might not represent the actual product

AUBURN GEAR 545026 Differential
for 1985 GMC C3500 ALL

$1,684.14

Save: $219.67
Sale Price:

$1,464.47

Estimated Ship Date: Today

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In Stock - 1 New In Stock
EnginePositionFit NotesFitment Notes
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
 
Rear
 
Open To Lock
Dana 70
35 Spline
4.10 Gear Ratio Up
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
Rear Open To Lock
Dana 70
35 Spline
4.10 Gear Ratio Up
,
AUBURN GEAR 545035
Please Note:

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AUBURN GEAR 545035 Differential
for 1985 GMC C3500 ALL

$1,542.16

Save: $201.15
Sale Price:

$1,341.01

Estimated Ship Date: Today

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In Stock - 2 New In Stock
EnginePositionFit NotesFitment Notes
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
 
Rear
 
Open To Lock
Dana 70
40 Spline
4.10 Gear Ratio Down
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
Rear Open To Lock
Dana 70
40 Spline
4.10 Gear Ratio Down
,
STRANGE U1664N
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Strange U1664N Transmission Yoke
for 1985 GMC C3500 ALL

$273.57

Save: $35.68
Sale Price:

$237.89

Estimated Ship Date: Today

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In Stock - 13 New In Stock
EngineFit NotesFitment Notes
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV
 
TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV
 
TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV
 
TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
7.4L V8 Gas OHV,
6.2L V8 Diesel OHV,
5.7L V8 Gas OHV,
4.8L l6 Gas OHV TransmissionControlTypeName: Automatic
TransmissionNumSpeeds: 3
With 32 Spline
Cab & Chassis 2-Door
,
POWERTRAX 5201012CGM
Please Note:

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POWERTRAX 5201012CGM Differential Rebuild Kit
for 1985 GMC C3500 ALL

$177.34

Save: $23.13
Sale Price:

$154.21

Estimated Ship Date: Today

Free DelieveryFree Ground Shipping
In Stock - 1 New In Stock
EnginePositionFit NotesFitment Notes
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
 
Rear
 
For Aftermarket Powertrax Units
Coupler Assembly For 9207053000
 
1985 GMC C3500 ALL equipped with
L
Rear For Aftermarket Powertrax Units
Coupler Assembly For 9207053000