KZN185 Open Diff to LSD

[camby3006]

I have a 1995 Kzn185 surf and am currently in the process of trying to change the rear (open) diff to an original Toyota 8" LSD. The current diff is shown as a A02A however I am struggling to find solid information about this and if it is a common size/ratio.

Apparently Toyota LSD diff centres are all common and the "spline and bolt patterns have stayed the same for the last 35 years that these diffs have been made by toyota"

Is my current diff head 8" and is the information I am receiving valid? If so, what is the spline count (I have heard either 27 or 29?) And would the bolt pattern be the same.

[Smurf]

http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html

3.58 ratio 2 pinion

[camby3006]

http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html

3.58 ratio 2 pinion

Cheers mate, I have had a look through that web page, however after looking into it some more I found some contradicting information.

[BlakeNZ]

are you going to add a lsd centre to your existing diff, or try to replace the whole thing?
It's definitely the 8" .

[camby3006]

Yes, just replace the centre. Saves me having to suss matching ratios etc.
Cheers mate.

[BlakeNZ]

have you sourced a lsd centre?
I put an eaton true-trac (part number 913A610 from memory) in my open rear diff in my 185 series Surf. Loving it.

[camby3006]

There is currently one on trade me.

[url]http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/toyota/diffs-axles/auction-715267991.htm
[/url]

However it does not state any information about the make.

[trucked]

have you sourced a lsd centre?
I put an eaton true-trac (part number 913A610 from memory) in my open rear diff in my 185 series Surf. Loving it.

What he said above, If you are after something a little better than a factory lsd, something like the above would be ideal, can put it in your open diff and way more traction but not quite as harsh as a full on locker.

For the money you will spend on a factory toyota lsd (im guessing around 300 ish) i would recommend looking at something like the above or a spartan/lockright locker as the factory hilux toyota lsd is not a great unit. The spartan lockers perform on a offroad level spectacularly compared to a lsd but not as nice in a daily driver on the road. They are around 550 ish depending on which diff you have, pm suzolla on here or check out his website http://www.4wdstuff.co.nz

After putting in my lockers in, any future trucks this will be one of the first modifications done, way better than any lift kit will ever get you

[camby3006]

Awesome. I will definitely get onto that and make some inquiries.

What are your thoughts on those lock-right diff lockers?
Are they worth it... or is a decent LSD more than adequate.

[BlakeNZ]

the True trac is currently around $750 including freight and customs, or $850 if you air freight.
In the past, i have bought hilux LSDs for $300, and then had to spend another $300 on them getting them up to an acceptable performance level(shimming them up tight and putting in a solid pinion spacer etc and possibly new plates-can't recall)
The Eaton true trac is about $520 NZ at the moment at point of origin, so if you have a friend returning from USA who has room for an extra 8kg, you are on a win:)

[De-Ranged]

Don't buy a standard LSD center and expect to fit it.... it requires bigger side bearings which means you need to use the LSD diff/nugget housing and this has a longer pinion length than your 2 spider gearset they arn't compatible

Oh and don't listen to anyone who tells you to change bearings lol I have had Seaco and SKF tell me they can't find them, I have wasted too much time on the net trying to find them lol I say that size bearing dosn't exist

The only way to change to LSD is too buy a whole LSD diff nugget of your ratio

[nzlux]

I got Lokka's ( lokka.com ) for $320 and axle, delivered, might be cheaper now with the dollar appreciating in value against the US.

[trucked]

Awesome. I will definitely get onto that and make some inquiries.

What are your thoughts on those lock-right diff lockers?
Are they worth it... or is a decent LSD more than adequate.

I have spartans which are the same design as the lock rights, for offroad performance they win by a mile compared to a toyota lsd, easy to install if you have a dial gauge and some patience.

A lsd freshly shimmed might be ok but i dont see the point in re shimming one for offroad use when lockers are that much more effective and the lsd will wear out and become less effective.

If yours is a daily driver and you use it a lot more on the road than offroad the true trac may be the better option all depends what you use it for, ive never used/had one but from what others say on here there a good compromise between the two, spartans/lock rights are harsher on the road and will give you extra wear on the rear tires but being proper lockers give excellent off road performance

[derk]

or is a decent LSD more than adequate.

there's no such thing as a decent toyota lsd mate you might as well save your money and stick with the open diff if your expecting better traction, you can over shim them to tighten them up but it never lasts very long. A lunchbox (auto) locker or better articulation to keep the wheels on the ground would be a far better investment to improve your trucks capability

[camby3006]

Wow cheers guys, really blown away with the expertise and guidance provided. Really makes me think what I want out of my truck.

[bob_or_jim]

the True trac is currently around $750 including freight and customs, or $850 if you air freight.
In the past, i have bought hilux LSDs for $300, and then had to spend another $300 on them getting them up to an acceptable performance level(shimming them up tight and putting in a solid pinion spacer etc and possibly new plates-can't recall)
The Eaton true trac is about $520 NZ at the moment at point of origin, so if you have a friend returning from USA who has room for an extra 8kg, you are on a win:)

Who was the supplier you used for this mate?

Cheers

[BlakeNZ]

lowrangeoffroad in USA.
i use mac from forty one.co.nz to do it all for me.
I am about to order one for a friend, so i'll give you contact details if required. or deal direct with low range off road.

[suzolla]

$520 is pretty cheap, need to allow for CC fees and GST plus if you get it sent by itself you can be up for customs clearance fee as well, all starts to add up. Make sure of all the costs before you buy.

I am looking at ordering a couple in the next day or so as part of a larger shipment that I am sea freighting, cost would be no more than $675 if you can wait about 5 weeks, let me know if interested.
Cheers
Tim

[BlakeNZ]

the customs release fee is approx $60, which is included in prices i stated above.
Tim, $675 is a great price- does that include everything?
If so, then my friend will border through you.(but you have to get confirmation that they have them in stock, otherwise it takes way longer than 5 weeks).

[suzolla]

Maybe even a little bit cheaper, not sure until they arrive, have ordered 2 so far. Have not yet heard if there is any issue with them not being in stock.
Cheers
Tim

[BlakeNZ]

any progress on this tim? did you get my "PM"?

[suzolla]

Hi yes it is ordered, just got to set up a stock code then will get back to you to get a dep to put your name on it.
Cheers
Tim

[BlakeNZ]

cheers!

[bob_or_jim]

I have a 1995 Kzn185 surf and am currently in the process of trying to change the rear (open) diff to an original Toyota 8" LSD. The current diff is shown as a A02A however I am struggling to find solid information about this and if it is a common size/ratio.

Apparently Toyota LSD diff centres are all common and the "spline and bolt patterns have stayed the same for the last 35 years that these diffs have been made by toyota"

Is my current diff head 8" and is the information I am receiving valid? If so, what is the spline count (I have heard either 27 or 29?) And would the bolt pattern be the same.

Another option is head to winch.co.nz and buy an air locker for $800 and it comes with a compressor. I have seen a Chinese locker in action and am reasonably impressed. Did not get an easy life!

[BlakeNZ]

The spline count on the rear diff is 30, I'm sure(not 27 or 29).
The front diff is a 7.5" and has 27 spline I'm told.

[BlakeNZ]

Last night i parked the Surf on an angle across a shallow drain, so that one rear wheel was barely touching the ground. I tried to drive off in 2WD, but it wouldn't move, just spun the airborne wheel. I gently lifted the hand brake, which put load on the turning wheel, and the True Trac locked up and I drove out ,no issues. I hadn't tried that for myself before.