Safari diff swap

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:19 pm

Can anyone tell me how big a job it is to do a rear diff swap? (complete, disc to disc)
Is there a particular order to do things to make it easier ie fit top trailing arms before lowers or vice versa, fit coils before panhard etc etc.

Was going to attack it with a couple of axle stands and a trolley jack, but might just pay to get it done if its awkward.

Cheers,
Dave

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:34 pm

I wouldnt imagine it to be too hard. If you were in Chch I would offer you to bring it to my work and we could do it there, but I am changing jobs so that rules the workshop out.

Just look at it, and you'll soon figure out what direction you want to head.

Is the diff head not swapable?

Ken

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:42 pm

Elmo wrote:
Is the diff head not swapable?

Ken

Na, going from LSD to factory diff lock

Just hope it works :roll:

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:45 pm

So the head is from a different type/model vehicle?

Is it not a factory Terrano one?

I would have thought if it was, you could just change the heads, or even just the internals, ie,the carrier.

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:52 pm

Housing is completely different unfortunately

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:05 pm

Its easy Dave just un bolt the old and bolt in the new, Nothing to watch out for.

If you leave the brake lines and calipers attached to the truck you can fit them to the new diff and not need to bleed the brakes once it is fitted.

Couple of axle stands and a trolly jack is all you should need. Try and get the back of it high enough so you can wheel the hole diff out from underneath it.

Do you know where the vacuum hooks into?
What solenoids came with it? the nissans ones can be slow you can get mitsubishi solenoids that speed up the engagement a bit.

If you decide to keep your old diff for spares note that the drivers side axles are different lengths by about 5mm.

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:10 pm

Thanks for that, might have to give it a go myself then.
Took a few photos of the hoses, I'm guessing you cant do any damage by having them reversed if I get it wrong?
Got pretty much everything I think. Did you just run rubber tubing from the solenoids to the diff, or use that metal tubing along the chassis?

Cheers,
Dave

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:13 pm

Do it your self youll be right.
Getting them around the wrong way shouldnt do any damage.
Im using the metal tubing, from a LWB and cuttin the middle of it out to suit the MWB.

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:05 pm

Well, had to have the mechanic put the diff in, as I couldn't jack the truck hi enough to work under it.

Now its in, I have to get all the plumbing done. Can anyone tell me how the hoses go on this?

Cheers,
Dave

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:09 pm

I can email you pics tomorrow if you want dave

DaveM · Post by **DaveM** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:22 pm

I got a few pics of the solenoids etc, but couldn't trace the tubing from the solenoid to the diff. Just unsure what each solenoid is feeding on the diff. I guess I've got a 50/50 chance of getting them right, but would prefer to get it right first time.
If you happen to know which solenoid hooks to which tube, that would be great.

Cheers,
Dave

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:58 pm

Ill take a look tomorrow and let you know