Besides age and ratios what other differences are there between the '84 up thru the '96 D36 rears?

I've been looking into this because I want to change rear gears. The outer dimensions are the same. Some have said the earlier D36s might have different bolt sizes, because one guy had to drill out the mounting holes for the bolts he had. I haven't confirmed that. On the inside, there are 2-series and 3-series gears (if you have a 2.59, 3.07, etc) These are not interchangeable because of the thickness. For the 2-series to get aftermarket gears, you need "thick ring" gears. You can't swap a stock 3.07 into a stock 2.59. I haven't found after market thick 3.07s, only aftermarket thick 3.54 and 3.73s. Because of that, I'm looking for an entire stock 3.07 to bolt in.

I'm no expert in this, hope my basic description is a start.

Matthew

The early ones have smaller holes where the camber brackets bolt on, two holes per side. These are straight through holes and need only be enlarged to where a 10mm bolt will pass through them. Same deal with the D44 housings. I have an '85 D44 housing in my '95 and that was the only modification needed.

There are some really rare Dana 36 3.31s floating around, available in the 1984 Z51 package only. I think Motive actually had them in their catalog a few years back but I haven't checked recently...

Thanks for the replies. I thought I had bought one from a friend who buys/sells C4 parts. Out of a salvaged '96 with RPO code G44 and a darn good price. Then Chris gets it pulled and the bottom of the housing is stamped 2.59.
Now that is weird! Anyway it leaves me looking again.