how can i tell the difference?

i think the way it goes is you can use a 03 up axle and 03 up bearings in a 02 and down carrier and vise versa. this got discussed before i remember, if you're bored you could try the search bar.
 
First pic is of an '88-02 carrier, second pic is of an '03 and up carrier. The main difference is the way the rear caliper bolt's up to the carrier
02carrier.jpg

03carrier.jpg
 
yup just like i said

Its not the rotor it is the disc brake mounting bosses that is different. The brake on the 03+ are not of a floater design where the 88-02 is (as far as I can tell) a floater. I have both types of rear brakes and when I look at the parts the only difference that I see are the mounting tabs on the carrier and the disc brake hub might be different (can't remeber). I think that everything else will swap between the two different styles. I have read that you can use the floating disc brake hub with hydro brakes. I hope that this helps but I know that someone will correct me if I am wrong. Most of what I have learned about this for my conversion came from searching this site for answers. hope this helps and is correct.
 
Its not the rotor it is the disc brake mounting bosses that is different. The brake on the 03+ are not of a floater design where the 88-02 is (as far as I can tell) a floater. I have both types of rear brakes and when I look at the parts the only difference that I see are the mounting tabs on the carrier and the disc brake hub might be different (can't remeber). I think that everything else will swap between the two different styles. I have read that you can use the floating disc brake hub with hydro brakes. I hope that this helps but I know that someone will correct me if I am wrong. Most of what I have learned about this for my conversion came from searching this site for answers. hope this helps and is correct.

yes again....caliper mounts are diff and brake rotor hub on the axle are diffI:I
 
Its not the rotor it is the disc brake mounting bosses that is different. The brake on the 03+ are not of a floater design where the 88-02 is (as far as I can tell) a floater. I have both types of rear brakes and when I look at the parts the only difference that I see are the mounting tabs on the carrier and the disc brake hub might be different (can't remeber). I think that everything else will swap between the two different styles. I have read that you can use the floating disc brake hub with hydro brakes. I hope that this helps but I know that someone will correct me if I am wrong. Most of what I have learned about this for my conversion came from searching this site for answers. hope this helps and is correct.

WINNER!!!WINNER!!!!CHICKEN DINNER.LOL exactly right.