Offroad-Express

Hi all, I have an offroad only Cherokee im turning into a thrash truck for offroad work only, my question is has any one converted them to the standard toyota/nissan type 6 stud pattern? I have a decent set of swampers that i run on my surf for club trips and would like to be able to just swap them over when taking the jeep out. I thought of maybe getting the rear drums re drilled to 6 stud but the front is a bit harder. Has anyone seen spacers that convert them to 6 stud? Cheers

I don't know whether you would be able to find such a thing, but here are a couple of photos I found to give you ideas of what can be made:





Rather than use two sets of studs, you may have to have holes drilled for both sets. But only have one set of studs fitted. Other set of holes for mounting on original axles. Just ideas.

Dunno where I heard this, but there was a couple of models of early Wagoneers with 6 studs. Those weren't sold here and i have only seen one in a guy's collection, but that was before I found this out so didn't count the wheel nuts.

Edit Pic,


Cheers,

I am really really surprised, but apparently these things exist! Have a look at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wheel-Adapters-5-Lug-4-5-6-Lug-135-Spacers-2-/390424170886?hash=item5ae7181186&item=390424170886&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_2024wt_1139

Otherwise try:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x4-5-5x114-3-5x4-75-5x120-7-6x135-Wheel-4-Adapters-5-6-Lug-2pc-2-/180891702439?hash=item2a1dfc54a7&item=180891702439&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_4585wt_1037

sibainmud wrote:Dunno where I heard this, but there was a couple of models of early Wagoneers with 6 studs. Those weren't sold here and i have only seen one in a guy's collection, but that was before I found this out so didn't count the wheel nuts.

Cheers,

Older Jeep Cherokees and Grand Wagoneers (from 1974 to 1992) had 6 lug wheels. They were 6x139.7 pattern.

Awesome guys thanks for the info, may have to figure out how ebay works and buy some from there. Cheers

Chops4wd wrote:Hi all, I have an offroad only Cherokee im turning into a thrash truck for offroad work only, my question is has any one converted them to the standard toyota/nissan type 6 stud pattern? I have a decent set of swampers that i run on my surf for club trips and would like to be able to just swap them over when taking the jeep out. I thought of maybe getting the rear drums re drilled to 6 stud but the front is a bit harder. Has anyone seen spacers that convert them to 6 stud? Cheers

Chop , Buddy sell the Surf and get another Jeep, viola problem solved

sorry not helpful, couldn't resist

Haha I knew someone would suggest such a horrible thing

Nah im to attached to my old surf to sell.

How did you get on with your 6 stud conversion??? I'm keen to know as i'm looking at putting a cherokee front end in my truck.
Thanks

centralnavara wrote:How did you get on with your 6 stud conversion??? I'm keen to know as i'm looking at putting a cherokee front end in my truck.
Thanks

why ...........weak as

unless you can find a dana 44 i wouldnt sugest it, when i was researching about what axles to put under mine i ended up going nissan.

also, by the time youve spent the money on a Cherokee axle you could have flipped a toyota/nissan one and put that under it.

sorry for jacking the thread

I can get dana front setp for bugger all henc why i'm going for that. everyone says they are weak but what happens to them???? no one seems to alaberate on what happens

depending on the available coin

why not throw toyota or nissan diffs under it instead

stronger and 6 studs

when ya start putting bigger tyres on them they start having problems, i think they start breaking cv's pretty early etc. if ya can manage to find a dana 44 thats what they use on most trucks over in the states, and im sure youve seen some of the tyres they run.

The main axle they use over in the states for pathfinder/terranos are the older series jeep wagoneer diffs, but they are hard to come by.

Its also hard to find parts for the jeep axles (well, down here anyway) but to put it in comparison, i could have got a front jeep diff for $1,500 without shocks springs etc, and then i could have gotten a safari one for $1,250 with the whole front half of the chassis.

i personally went with the safari axle because they are strong, easy to get parts for (in terms of upgrades) and i managed to find a whole chassis - gearbox and engine for $1800

the gears are pretty much the same as the rear in a terrano too, so all i had to do was find another terrano head to go in there so i ran the same ratio's.

i just remembered the main reason why i didnt go with the dana axle is because they have weak internals from what i have read compared to some of the jap stuff.

hope this info helps

A shet load more fabrication work needed to fit a toyota or nissan diff then its parts become bit of a one off and for spares would need to fabricate more. thats why i like the dana idea with being able to buy off the shelf replacement parts

the other option is get a safari transfer case and adapt it to the back of yours, which is what i did. same bolt pattern, the output on a terrano auto is 40mm to long though, which can be cut off and will bolt up. or 20mm spacer and 20mm off.

that way the axle can easily be swapped for a spare. the main thing in the road is the crossmember, and the driveshafts will need to be fitted.

its also easier to get lsd's for safari fronts and terrano rears. as they are the same unit essentially.

in terms of the front diff, same amount of work will go into mounting a coil sprung diff either way. but at least the jeep axles are the same width as the terrano's one. safari is 100mm wider.

the best thing about using the safari transfer is that if you want to re-power your truck, nissan v8s will adapt to a safari gearbox quite easily. and the diffs will be able to handle the power.

also aparently the jeep drive shafts turn one way, and the terrano ones turn the other...

centralnavara wrote:I can get dana front setp for bugger all henc why i'm going for that. everyone says they are weak but what happens to them???? no one seems to alaberate on what happens

unless you are going to fit big tyres and lockers the dana seem alright,people say they are weak but compared to what,if you do break them they are around 200 bucks on trade me for a complete front diff,i paid 100 for a front end with no brakes as a spare but havnt broke mine yet,only on 31s but im rough,im putting lux axles under my jeep because i have lots of them and better ratio choice.

Actually a lot of the US guys running up to 35s stick with the Dana 30 front, and I've read that more than some of them swap high pinion XJ one into TJs because it's stronger than the low pinion TJ D30 and is a direct bolt on swap.

i was just reading about that also, so i take that back. but if the diff turning the wrong way is right i think that may be a problem.

spanky wrote:

centralnavara wrote:I can get dana front setp for bugger all henc why i'm going for that. everyone says they are weak but what happens to them???? no one seems to alaberate on what happens

unless you are going to fit big tyres and lockers the dana seem alright,people say they are weak but compared to what,if you do break them they are around 200 bucks on trade me for a complete front diff,i paid 100 for a front end with no brakes as a spare but havnt broke mine yet,only on 31s but im rough,im putting lux axles under my jeep because i have lots of them and better ratio choice.

Thanks very much guys. this is all very helpfull infor. I can get a front cut of a low km cherokee for $450. Maybe Spanky can conferm or denie that the jeep front drive shaft rotates the wrong direction? and did you convert to 6 stud? and ratios are my only worries. I to am a bit rough and on to many outings with the club i've bent tie rods or worse and had to limp home in 2wd and get towed up our steep central otago hills... NOT FUN realy want a realiable set up that can climb steep stuff without toeing in as an independent front end does. Not to worried about running bigger tyres as I have a good winch set up.

i was the same, gave up after i broke a tie rod, bent the idler arm and worn down heaps of other things. not to mention every 4x4 outing i needed an alignment.

solids definitly the way to go. dont think i will go back to a IFS truck.

if you do end up using the dana 30 tell me how it goes, as if i do have to get another terrano/navara i might go that way instead, if it turns out good.

Thanks Dirtydog. It rattles the nerves when all of a sudden going up a step rocky climp truck starts pig jumping in the front because of yet another failer. I do like the td27turbo and the well deck for carting fire wood etc so to me the navara is almost perfict for what i want just unrealible in the IFS. once my subaru wagon sells i'll be back on the ph to sort the front cut and possibly the rear diff from same wagon if i can't match the ratios. ether that or import the ratio to match i guess

if ya can find a 4.88 ratio rear diff for the terrano i know jeeps have a set of gears the same.

if ya have any questions about the SAS with safari axle just give us a pm, and ill answer what i can. also, check out passengerpete's thread on his one, hes done most the work himself so know first hand.

Sweet. good news is i'm already running 4.88 ratios. So info on the jeep 4.88 ratio would be awsome. I plan on doing 99% work myself also. Handy thing about being a mechanic.. acsess to a good garage

the garage i have access to at the mo is more of a lean-to, my truck doesnt even fit in there. im not a mechanic or engineer at all, but im slowly learning things.

I like doing things myself though, but sometimes it is good getting someone else to do it.

oh and i may have found a ring and pinion for ya in nz, 4.88

Brillant work. i was just looking on ebay . au and have new set there that come from us. But from NZ is always a bit simpler. do tell or pm me. Mite have to hit up my engineer brother to make 5 to 6 stud hub adaptors. but mite wait till i get front end home and see if i can find a way to alter factory hub

centralnavara wrote:Brillant work. i was just looking on ebay . au and have new set there that come from us. But from NZ is always a bit simpler. do tell or pm me. Mite have to hit up my engineer brother to make 5 to 6 stud hub adaptors. but mite wait till i get front end home and see if i can find a way to alter factory hub

There was a company in oz making hubs for jeep axles with the 6stud hub, il try find them for you oved the next couple days

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =494340757

dunno if its the right one but hey, it might be

maintenance is another thing to think about.......

http://www.offroadspecialties.co.nz/node/13

they hate mud and water.....lost count the times i replaced em in the old xj.........might have been the 33s helping , but did a couple when on 31s...and just replaced em on the tj.......

my tj came with shit like this in it... thank you previous owner


http://www.offroadspecialties.co.nz/node/262

got a spare 30 here if ya want it ...pm me