Offroad-Express

hey, im looking at buying a kzj78 1993 prado with 3.0td
it has open diff and code is G284
my question is Ive found a 1990 with a factory electric locker and 2.4 motor it also has a small winch.
what I Hope to do is Purchase both and Swap the rear axels, and if diff ratios are different I will also swap over the front diff head.
anyone know if the suspension system is exactly the same and If It as just as simple as swaping the Full rear axel and then having a sparky wire up the connections?
and if front axels and diff housing is the same
ill also be taking the winch and roof racks ect. at the end i want both viechles operating well to sell the 2.4 prado on..
and ill have a cheap almost free difflock n winch..
can any0ne help.. thanks

yep im reasonably sure that they are all the same, just reuse the kzj springs as they are heavyier (ithink)

the 2.4 has 4.8's and the 3.0 has 4.3's. You'll need to take the full locker loom out of the donor prado and stick it in the other one... but it should be a pretty straight swap.

Are you sure you can't just pull the diff centres and swap centers over? In the US they do this often there is a couple of surfaces they grind back and for the original diff housing they just throw some weld in the opening's to fill them and grind back to close to flush and use instant gasket to seal it.

OK it may be a bit rough but it is a lot easier to swap the pumpkin rather than the whole diff you also get the benefit of the lower diff ratio in the one you keep (read can fit larger tires same engine rev's and poss no need for speedo recalibration).

Oh and by easier I mean I don't have enough tall Jack stands to do it , re bleed the brakes redo the handbrake, actualy now I type this I would swap the front pumpkin and roll the back diff under there I thought there would be more to it but this way you only need to drain the front diff's.

You will need to do both front and back diffs and the internals are the same you need 4 long jack stands tho. Good luck.

I would be interested in the front diff if it's complete and coil's.

Cheers
Matt.

Sig has a high pinion diff sitting in his garage for sale I think if you want one PM him ... just the head though

Actually after the complete housing etc.

Cheers

sorry jerry diff head now lives in warkworth

I'd swap the whole back end over , and in the front I know it will take a bit of time but change the diff head over as the KZJ78 has bigger CVs then the LJ78 prado.If you are going to put 35" tyres the 4.88 will give you nice on & offroad gearing

Cheers Pradoman.
PH 0800 310 088

well been hunting and thinking, with my $ available looks like i cant really afford the 3.0 prado at the mo and its long wheel base im not sure how well it would be offroad and maybe too shiney.
Now i have a new plan ive found a swb lj71 87 cruiser with 2.4,
I'm thinking Of doing the same thing but with the lj71.
buy both put diff lock winch , sony cd headunit and roofracks into it.
only prob is its got the 2.4.. Ive been to look at both 4x4s. and happy with both apart from the lj71 has some oil leaks and shocks seem buggered.
but it has bran new 33 tyres and can get It including tyres with wof and reg ect for $3500 a damn steal at that price i think.. so add all those parts and once the 2nd 4x4 is sold I reacon with new shocks oil leak fixed ect
$4500
for a swb cruiser with electric diff lock Winch and 33s
tidy body and mint runner .
i also have a run around car and if i went with the Lng wheel base lj78 I would use it as daily driver , if i get the swb It will be my 2nd offroader.
hmmmm decesions.
later down the line i could replace the 2.4 but im not experienced enough to do a motor conversion.
What do yous think?
any idea What motor fits with little efort and cost? anything thats close to a straight swap using same gearbox ect?
what ya reacon a mecanic would charge to do a motor conversion?
thanks heaps for the help..
i have a surf at the mo that has 4.3 diffs i took the swb lj71 to beach and had a play in 4x4 It had a lot more low down with the 4.8 diffs ya could in low select 3rd gear and take off from a stop easy. my surf wouldnt do that easily.