Ya, thats what im going to do. I met up with another guy from here that happen to have one for sale. So, im going to buy it from him and install it.
What are the basics of replacing the 3rd member? Ive never opened up a rear-end before, but I pretty much know how it works... I know once the cover is off, there is a clip on each axle that you have to take out, then you can slide the axles away and the 3rd member is just sitting in place... Am I correct?
Also, what else would anybody reccomend I could do to it to help it last longer? Any tips or tricks? Gear oil suggestions?

Just a little off, but that's... OK The Suzuki rear end has a removable 3rd member like a ford 9 inch or toyota. There are no c-clips. To get it apart do this: jack rearend up off ground and support, remove wheels, disconnect brake line from backing plate, remove the 4 nuts on the bearing retainer, pull axle, repeat for other side, drain oil, pull driveline, remove the nuts that hold third member into housing, remove housing, have your way with the 3rd member reinstall when finished.

Good Luck, Eric

Thanks! I knew I was kinda close. What gear oil , brand and weight should I put in it when finished? And, how do I know how much to add?

Thanks! I knew I was kinda close. What gear oil , brand and weight should I put in it when finished? And, how do I know how much to add?

I personally don't do the "oil game" All the gear boxes and rearends on the Samurai take 90wt gear oil. So, I go to the store, purchase enough to fill what ever case I'm working on, sometimes I get 75-90 synthetic when I'm feeling saucy, and fill it. No royal-ams-mob-snake oils for me. ...AND here's why; I don't have the same oil in the cases long enough to make a difference, all gear boxes are changed at 9k miles maximum. With that frequency, I feel that any oil is up to the task. I'm sure there are different opinions!

-Eric

Im probably going to make an ass out of myself for this one, but I didnt know you were supposed to change the oil in the rear-ends periodically.... Maybe thats why mine went out......

MOST people NEVERchange gear oil in
the Diffs, let alone the Trans or T-case. As Zuke lovers
we tend to take better care of our vehicles, tho 9K miles
is more frequent than most people would do, if you think
about the offroad conditions, water crossings, mud, and
dust in general, this is a good idea.

I would say once a year should be enough, but oil is fairly
cheap insurance, kind of like the guy who just spent $1000
rebuilding a nice trick engine, and doesn't want to dump
the oil after 50-100 miles, even tho it only cost $5  

The fill amount is to the plug in the rear of the diff, take it
out, fill until it starts to come out, done.

I put Slick50 in the diffs when they were new, and when I did
the rear locker I switched to Synthetic oil in the rear.

I hear racers like to run 30 Weight for less friction, tho they
get new gears every race too. Would work in a pinch, better
that nothing, but not for long term use.

if you wanna make it last longer then put the samurai 1.3 litre engine back in and leaveit parked on your drive  

sorry couldn't resist it  

if you wanna make it last longer then put the samurai 1.3 litre engine back in and leaveit parked on your drive  

sorry couldn't resist it  

HAHA... No.  The original motor that was in it, was a lemon. It eventually quit working and I got tired of working on it. So I pulled it out and dropped in a Chevy.

Me too, mines gettin way to big!!!!!!! lol George;