Offroad-Express

Lunched the back diff down in Reefton, got another good one at a good price so she's a runner again. I'm planning to rebuild the old diff - it needs a new ring & pinion, & I'll probably give it some new bearings & an airlocker too, then I'll have the current one as a spare.

I was told by some of the Westport boys that new R&P+bearing kits can be had at a surprisingly good price from Toyota, so I called them up, gave them the details of the truck, after much umming & ahhing I got qouted $2846.75 and 5 weeks delivery out of Japan - which is parts speak for 'never'

So obviously it's a Hilux listing I need to get, who knows what Hiluxs came with the 4.875 diff that'll match my Prado?

Or alternately, has anybody used any aftermarket R&P sets in their hilux/surf/prado that they can recommend?

Cheers
Clint

I'm about to put in some 5.29's from Yukon Gear and Axle.

There are some 4.8 Prado Diffs on Trademe:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 61.htm?p=2

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 84.htm?p=3

Marlin Crawler have a great range of gears and lockers.

They list the 4.88 V6 3rd with ARB locker for $1500US which is about 2k NZ plus freight.

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/diff/pickup_diff.htm

Makes the Toyota prices look ridiculous. Unfortunately Marlin only have one freight option, the expensive one

I have a friend in the US who can send little bits to me but a complete diff is probably out of the question.

Matt.

My 5.29's were $319 USD PLus $79 freight.

For the pair Bill? Where did you get them from?

I have a completly destroyed 5.29 Yukon R & P that has done about 450kms. It self destructed at Xmas time. Looks like the pinnion nut may have come loose and knocked off some teeth from the crown wheel. Tightened the pinnion nut and climbed one little bank, and it all turned to shit.


If you are going to import R & P sets for your truck, I advise that you get them from Bobby Longfield and have him give them the cryogenic treatment first.

Having said that, I beleive Leithfied has Yukon R & P's in his rig, and I'm sure they have lasted longer than mine.

Interesting link here.

http://www.gearinstalls.com/

This guy reckons the only issue with gear sets is how they are installed. Incorrect installation leads to excessive wear or float and then failure.

Matt.

Just put nissan diffs under it

You know youll end up doing it one day anyway

They were on special, I hunted around for the cheapest price and went for it. They were supposed to be 4.8's though.

And yes theres a big bookley with it that explains how the install must be done, tolerances, how to drive for the first 500 miles! how often to change the oils etc. If you don't do it right the hardening thing doesnt harden properly. If you get it too hot too early they will die too... lots of warnings

wjw wrote:My 5.29's were $319 USD PLus $79 freight.

what did customs whack on in the way of duty and gst charges when they arrived in the country Bill?

doddzee wrote:Just put nissan diffs under it

You know youll end up doing it one day anyway

Unfortunatly nissan diffs aren't indestructable either. And trust me when a Nissan cv goes bang, it will be in a real arsehole of place, in the middle of no where, and they make a BIG mess.
But this thread is about diffs and if you want a nice strong diff, go with higher ratios (ie 4.3) and gear it out at the transfer case or gear box. Pinnions on higher ratio diffs are MUCH stronger, and not as prone to stuffing things up when you are having fun. Of course if you are only running normalish type tyre sizes (35" and under) and you don't drive like a moron, then the higher ratios will last fine.

Didn't read the link Matt, but I agree with what you say. I don't think I set my diff up very well . If i had, the piniion wouldn't have come loose in the first place.

The link has some good hints on setting up diffs.

The link owner has done 100's of Toyota diffs with all sorts of ratio's and lockers.

Guys on the Marlin Crawler forum are running duals with 4.8's and 36's or bigger without issues.

When I retire I will go from 33's with 4.5's to 36's with 5.29's I think. The R15x trans is expensive to put a second transfer behind.

Matt.

Sadam_Husain wrote:what did customs whack on in the way of duty and gst charges when they arrived in the country Bill?

Not this time, I did when I bought the lockers in

Thanks guys, I might look into those Toyota electric lockers too.

Nissan diffs may be in my future, maybe a cruiser rear to keep the offset right, Nissan diffs & CV's are definitely way stronger. I think I'll give the toyota gear another chance first though, the diff had done 200000km & quite a bit of towing I suspect, so a fresh one might last OK...





...Until I get a supercharger anyway

Cheers
Clint

Motive Gear seems like a quality brand , they have different levels of performance , 1st one is daily driver , etc , they're big in the US ( can always get then shipped )! My rear LJ71 is worn and considering gettn a new C & P unless i can get a good 2nd hand nugget

I have a good second hand rear prado diff for $300 ph 021 259 4746 Nigel

Oooohh....

Good spotting oldblue! I'll be keeping an eye on that one!

Cheers
Clint