Are rear axles interchangeable?

[(RIP) PLANK]

I hear what you say guys but the correct ratio LSD rear axle for a 3ltr is a rare item. I've done the phone tour of the length and breadth of the UK and only found one! I found heaps of cheaper wrong ratio 2.7 axles but the average price is around 400 for a 3ltr LSD back axle - if you can find one!
Rgds CL

yep, and what if the 2.7 axels are 'different' in other ways, minor details that cause major problems!

 

[solarman216]

well I look at it this way, get whatever ratio that you can at a reasonable price and fit it, 99% of the time you will be in 2 wheel mode anyway, and the rest of the time when you are in 4 wheel you will be on slippery stuff any way so a mismatch between ratios will not matter, I will be welding my off road cars front diff to make it locked and with auto hubs in 2 wheel no problem, when I need 4 wheel I want all 4 driving no matter what stearing does not come into it, Rick

 

[cncfabs]

yep, and what if the 2.7 axels are 'different' in other ways, minor details that cause major problems!

The axle mountings etc are all the same

 

[stinka]

Indeed, as are the prop lengths and abs sensors etc

 

[CaptLimey]

Thanks again guys for all your input. Cnfabs/Stinka thanks for he reassurance about fitting. Rick I'm with you, as I rarely use 4WD and then only in the slippery stuff. BUT if I can get a rear axle with the matching ratio and thereby save the cost and hassle of buying and fitting both rear AND front axles, it really must be the best option. Or as the French say 'On sera' (We will see).
Rgds CL

 

[glanrichbex]

It's looking like I'll be needing a replacement rear axle for my 2003 3ltr LWB T2.
My current rear axle is the LSD model with the back plate.
Are the ratios of the diffs different for different models?
Are the back axles for LWB and SWB models interchangeable?
For example can I use an axle from a SWB 2.7 ltr in the LWB 3 ltr?
Any advice or experiences will be much appreciated.
Regards CL

They are not compatable - just as there are different ratio diffs available for the 2.7LWB and SWB depending if they are imports / variants etc ...... I have spent hours trying to locate correct parts.
A recent problem my mate had with a T2 LWB 1996 - replaced the rear diff and all was well until he selected 4WD - almighty BANG from the front end. not only does he have to find the correct diff for the back end but now he has to fix the front one as well!!! :banghead

 

[solarman216]

They are not compatable - just as there are different ratio diffs available for the 2.7LWB and SWB depending if they are imports / variants etc ...... I have spent hours trying to locate correct parts.
A recent problem my mate had with a T2 LWB 1996 - replaced the rear diff and all was well until he selected 4WD - almighty BANG from the front end. not only does he have to find the correct diff for the back end but now he has to fix the front one as well!!! :banghead

Sorry simple miss match of ratios will not cause such a calamity, whatever failed was about to fail anyway, there is such a lot of old wives tails regarding this issue, diff wind up even on tarmac will simply be wind up, nothing breaks, but tyres slip and judder, if driven like this long term then high wear will take place but something breaking, rubbish, Rick

 

[stinka]

I'm inclined to agree with rick. As a 19 year old I used to borrow my dads hilux when he was away and go and mess about showing off donuting it etc

I'd drive around on tarmac for hours in 4wd clutching and spinning it, never even a hint that anything was going to break, just screeching and smoke from the front tyres as they slipped out the wind up

 

[cncfabs]

They are not compatable - just as there are different ratio diffs available for the 2.7LWB and SWB depending if they are imports / variants etc ...... I have spent hours trying to locate correct parts.
A recent problem my mate had with a T2 LWB 1996 - replaced the rear diff and all was well until he selected 4WD - almighty BANG from the front end. not only does he have to find the correct diff for the back end but now he has to fix the front one as well!!! :banghead

What parts are you trying to locate parts for 1996 lwb are easy to come by ive got 4 here as well as swb petrols and diesels mk 1,2 and 3:thumbs

 

[CaptLimey]

They are not compatable - just as there are different ratio diffs available for the 2.7LWB and SWB depending if they are imports / variants etc ...... I have spent hours trying to locate correct parts.
A recent problem my mate had with a T2 LWB 1996 - replaced the rear diff and all was well until he selected 4WD - almighty BANG from the front end. not only does he have to find the correct diff for the back end but now he has to fix the front one as well!!! :banghead

Thanks glanrich. As I've discovered in my recent research, there are many ratio variants, even amongst the same models, depending on year of manufacture! I believe the acid test is to do as recommended in earlier posts on the subject, i.e. jack up the rear axle and turn the wheels one revolution whilst counting the revolutions of the prop shaft. On my (French import) '03 3ltr LWB it is 3.9 to 1. I'll ensure that the rear axle I get from any breaker has the same ratio AND then I'll only use it in slippery conditions.
Rgds CL

 

[solarman216]

I'm inclined to agree with rick. As a 19 year old I used to borrow my dads hilux when he was away and go and mess about showing off donuting it etc

I'd drive around on tarmac for hours in 4wd clutching and spinning it, never even a hint that anything was going to break, just screeching and smoke from the front tyres as they slipped out the wind up

That is exactly what happens, if something is going to break, it will do it on a racing start anyway, (full revs, drop clutch) far more force than simple wind up, Rick

 

[glanrichbex]

Thanks glanrich. As I've discovered in my recent research, there are many ratio variants, even amongst the same models, depending on year of manufacture! I believe the acid test is to do as recommended in earlier posts on the subject, i.e. jack up the rear axle and turn the wheels one revolution whilst counting the revolutions of the prop shaft. On my (French import) '03 3ltr LWB it is 3.9 to 1. I'll ensure that the rear axle I get from any breaker has the same ratio AND then I'll only use it in slippery conditions.
Rgds CL

As many have found out the hard way you will get big problems if the ratios are wrong -as I found out there are many different ratios in apparently the same diff housing. If the ratio difference is large, it will be a matter of time before you suffer breakage in 4WD.
As others have said here you will get wheels scuffing and juddering whilst winding up .... but in the end the extra stress of a mis matched diff may be too much and something else may give.

 

[glanrichbex]

I'm inclined to agree with rick. As a 19 year old I used to borrow my dads hilux when he was away and go and mess about showing off donuting it etc

I'd drive around on tarmac for hours in 4wd clutching and spinning it, never even a hint that anything was going to break, just screeching and smoke from the front tyres as they slipped out the wind up

I think we've all done something similar in our care free youth :lol

Problem now is I'm 41 and everything I break I've got to pay for :doh

The transmission of a hilux is a bit more substantial than a terrano, there is a warning in the T2 handbook that 4WD should not be used in dry conditions as damage to your transmission may occur. The transfere box is not very good at fighting opposing forces of the front diff trying to wrench against it when you turn a corner, they are not indestructable, neither are the front half shafts - very much like the gearboxes - if you want them to last............. think £££££££££s

 

[CaptLimey]

Rear axle update

Local Nissan main dealer wants €2000 (£1640) just for the parts to repair/rebuild my rear axle PLUS labour at €63 (£51) per hour! I politely declined their offer.
Equicar, at Coseley, Wolverhampton, have one that they claim is compatible for £400 plus UK delivery and VAT. So I've gone for it and will be fitting it in August. Thanks to all for the input and advice.
Rgds CL

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Local Nissan main dealer wants €2000 (£1640) just for the parts to repair/rebuild my rear axle PLUS labour at €63 (£51) per hour! I politely declined their offer.
Equicar, at Coseley, Wolverhampton, have one that they claim is compatible for £400 plus UK delivery and VAT. So I've gone for it and will be fitting it in August. Thanks to all for the input and advice.
Rgds CL

All the best with it Captain :thumb2 Wish I could have been more help, remember I am only a phone call away if there is anything I can do let me know :thumbs

 

[CaptLimey]

All the best with it Captain :thumb2 Wish I could have been more help, remember I am only a phone call away if there is anything I can do let me know :thumbs

Many thanks PLANK, I'll post again when it's fitted to update anyone interested.
Rgds CL.

 

[CaptLimey]

Rear axle update

Well I finally managed to get it over to France courtesy of fellow member Mountain Goat and a 7 ton truck he rented to bring heaps of his stuff over. After a two day journey, (the truck had a speed limiter) and a 90 euro fine for being over-loaded (the Gendarmes see foreign hire trucks as fair game for a weight check) we arrived. The axle did not appear to be in very good shape, heaps of rust and generally tatty looking. I cleaned it up and gave it a coat of Hammerite, fitted new wheel cylinders, brake shoes and pipes and set about installing it in place of the sick one. I put the truck up on axle stands AND wooden blocks just to be sure. The job took about two days, one to remove the existing axle and another to install the replacement. I'm sure it could have been done quicker but working alone in 39 degree heat I had to stop frequently for a 'cooler'! AND I did fit a new exhaust box and tailpipe while I had access. It wasn't difficult job, just a little awkward. I used two small hydraulic jacks to lower the old one and raise the replacement into place. All went well and then came the moment of truth, had I bought another duff one???? Fortunately it ran - on the blocks -without any worrying noises and definitely sounded sweeter than the original, but how would it perform under load on the road? Worryingly the ABS light did not go out during this preliminary test - bugger - had I screwed up somewhere? I dropped the truck to the ground and took it for a test drive through the vineyards and 'hey presto' the ABS light went out after a few meters. The axle performs well with no unusual noises. So my thanks to PLANK for the breakers he recommended, their price was reasonable and their service good. I'll post some pics when I can. Rgds CL

 

[Terranical]

Well I finally managed to get it over to France courtesy of fellow member Mountain Goat and a 7 ton truck he rented to bring heaps of his stuff over. After a two day journey, (the truck had a speed limiter) and a 90 euro fine for being over-loaded (the Gendarmes see foreign hire trucks as fair game for a weight check) we arrived. The axle did not appear to be in very good shape, heaps of rust and generally tatty looking. I cleaned it up and gave it a coat of Hammerite, fitted new wheel cylinders, brake shoes and pipes and set about installing it in place of the sick one. I put the truck up on axle stands AND wooden blocks just to be sure. The job took about two days, one to remove the existing axle and another to install the replacement. I'm sure it could have been done quicker but working alone in 39 degree heat I had to stop frequently for a 'cooler'! AND I did fit a new exhaust box and tailpipe while I had access. It wasn't difficult job, just a little awkward. I used two small hydraulic jacks to lower the old one and raise the replacement into place. All went well and then came the moment of truth, had I bought another duff one???? Fortunately it ran - on the blocks -without any worrying noises and definitely sounded sweeter than the original, but how would it perform under load on the road? Worryingly the ABS light did not go out during this preliminary test - bugger - had I screwed up somewhere? I dropped the truck to the ground and took it for a test drive through the vineyards and 'hey presto' the ABS light went out after a few meters. The axle performs well with no unusual noises. So my thanks to PLANK for the breakers he recommended, their price was reasonable and their service good. I'll post some pics when I can. Rgds CL

Excellent news - I breathed a sigh of relief for you! :thumbs

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Well I finally managed to get it over to France courtesy of fellow member Mountain Goat and a 7 ton truck he rented to bring heaps of his stuff over. After a two day journey, (the truck had a speed limiter) and a 90 euro fine for being over-loaded (the Gendarmes see foreign hire trucks as fair game for a weight check) we arrived. The axle did not appear to be in very good shape, heaps of rust and generally tatty looking. I cleaned it up and gave it a coat of Hammerite, fitted new wheel cylinders, brake shoes and pipes and set about installing it in place of the sick one. I put the truck up on axle stands AND wooden blocks just to be sure. The job took about two days, one to remove the existing axle and another to install the replacement. I'm sure it could have been done quicker but working alone in 39 degree heat I had to stop frequently for a 'cooler'! AND I did fit a new exhaust box and tailpipe while I had access. It wasn't difficult job, just a little awkward. I used two small hydraulic jacks to lower the old one and raise the replacement into place. All went well and then came the moment of truth, had I bought another duff one???? Fortunately it ran - on the blocks -without any worrying noises and definitely sounded sweeter than the original, but how would it perform under load on the road? Worryingly the ABS light did not go out during this preliminary test - bugger - had I screwed up somewhere? I dropped the truck to the ground and took it for a test drive through the vineyards and 'hey presto' the ABS light went out after a few meters. The axle performs well with no unusual noises. So my thanks to PLANK for the breakers he recommended, their price was reasonable and their service good. I'll post some pics when I can. Rgds CL

Fantastic news Captain, wish I could have been more help :thumb2

 

[stinka]

Cracking news, will be a project for me next year i think