Happy Hollidays to all!  My Christmas present to myself is getting my Sidekick back on the road!  One of the items is replacing the rear diff.  The old unit has some super excessive back lash, and I have a complete parts rig, so just going to swap complete assemblies if I can.  My rig is a 1995, and I believe the parts rig is a 1997.  One obvious difference in the 2 is the '95 has the bolt on brake drums like a Samurai.  The '97 uses the newer style brake drums.  Is there anything I am not thinking about that will keep me from using this rear end?  As far as I am seeing, no problem, just have to remember when I go buy rear brake parts.

I assume you've already verified that the axle gears have the same ratio - have you considered swapping just the third members?

Based on the info I have found online, they are the same ratio.  Both are 1.6 16v 4x4 5 speed 4 door rigs.  One difference I have noted already is the lack of a speed sensor in the later model third member.  So far that is the only difference I have found.  I am going to have to do some figuring on that.  I am guessing it is for the Rear Wheel Anti-Lock brakes.  To add another level of interest, I am also swapping in a set of XL7 rear springs.  I am thinking about cutting the spring mounts off and welding on the XL7 mounts.  But we trudge on!