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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: fullsink18 on January 29, 2007, 07:46:17 AM

Title: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on January 29, 2007, 07:46:17 AM
So, I hit a tree last friday and dented the kick up pretty good.  This friday I took all the bent body parts off and was checking all the other gear.  That is when I noticed that my tiebar joint got shoved into the front diff and put a perfect circle in it. 

So now I need to get a new diff housing.  I read about using a steel housing out of a vitara.  I need to know what years work with my 94 sidekick.  Also what do I need to do to make the steel housing work?  Do I just transfer my R&P gears over? What all do I need to get with the housing so that it will install properly.

The anvil that calmini makes says that you need their suspension lift.  Do you really need their lift or just a certian amount of suspension left to fit it in.

Plus if anyone has a steel housing with everything i need to install it name a price.

Thanks
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: ADavis on January 29, 2007, 08:42:54 AM
I had my housing crack but didn't have the funds to upgrade so I bought a new (used) housing off of ebay for $10.00.  Just another idea if you don't feel like forking out the dough right now. 
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on January 29, 2007, 09:18:23 AM
From my readings the part list includes:

1. XL7 Front Housing
2. 99-01 GV 5spd 3rd Member


This should fit with the sidekick mounting brackets
Correct?
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Rhinoman on January 29, 2007, 11:47:06 AM
I'm pretty sure all the V6s have the steel housing. I used a V6 (not XL7) housing and 3rd member, straight swap bracketwise but you'll need to swap your R&P into the steel third. I kept the vacuum operated diff but you can do away with it.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: beercheck on January 29, 2007, 12:38:27 PM
I'm pretty sure all the V6s have the steel housing.
Not so.  I know a search of the board will reveal the exact details, something about 5-speeds being the steel ones until 2003 or something like that, but my transplanted 2002 XL-7 automatic drivetrain came complete with a nice, rust-free aluminum front housing. 
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: poorboy on January 29, 2007, 03:32:32 PM
A welding shop should be able to patch that hole if you dont have the funds to do the swap
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: costa 05 on January 29, 2007, 06:36:22 PM
Weld it is what I was thinking. Then they could put a plate on it as well
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on January 30, 2007, 08:06:15 AM
Welding it is no problem, my father said he could do it.   
But when stuff breaks that can be upgraded, I like to upgrade it.

So I am going to look for  99-01 v6 5spd GV housing and 3rd member.  If it is to expensive then I will weld or get a new aluminum diff.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on January 30, 2007, 09:22:25 AM
Well i was reading over some stuff and got confused.

What is the difference between the 3rd member and housing and diff cover

Is the diff case different from a housing


In the picture is the part that I put a hole in.  Can someone tell me what it is called and if it is called different names.

Thanks
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: ADavis on January 30, 2007, 09:55:45 AM
I would refer to that a the front axle housing.  But, sometimes I call it a POS because mine is cracked and I have to replace it but I don't think that is the official terminology ;D
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Rhinoman on January 30, 2007, 10:18:14 AM
I would say that the front housing is also known as the axle casing, axle housing and probably a few other terms as well. The diff sits in the diff carrier which is bolted into the third member which is the big lump the propshaft fits to.
In the UK the third member is also known as the diff housing, the term third member is gradually working its way into common usage because we tend to visit US sites alot. However we refuse to accept that McDonalds is a restaurant  ;D
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Bobzooki on January 30, 2007, 01:12:17 PM
Shoot, just patch it with some silicone rubber, and a sliced up red-bull can.

I actually did that on my bell housing, until I could get a new one.

The upgrade you REALLY want, is an Anvil, and maybe Toyota 4-Runner CV axles and hub lockouts, with 5.83 R&P's and ARB's.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Skyhiranger on January 31, 2007, 07:27:59 AM
Well i was reading over some stuff and got confused.

What is the difference between the 3rd member and housing and diff cover

Is the diff case different from a housing


In the picture is the part that I put a hole in.  Can someone tell me what it is called and if it is called different names.

Thanks

I call that the axle housing.
The third, thirdmember, diff, differential is what "unbolts" from the axle housing and contains the carrier assembly and gears (at least on our axles).  Some axles don't have removeable thirdmembers.
Trackick and samurai axles don't have diff covers....those are on axles that don't have removeable thirdmembers.  Diff covers bolt on the axle housing, are are exactly that....a diff cover.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on January 31, 2007, 07:32:47 AM
The upgrade you REALLY want, is an Anvil, and maybe Toyota 4-Runner CV axles and hub lockouts, with 5.83 R&P's and ARB's.

Yep that would be heavenly.  Maybe when I get out of college and make a little more $$
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on February 07, 2007, 08:24:08 AM
Another concern?

Will I be able to install an ARB locker in the v6 GV housing. If so do i just get the locker that was made for the sidekick or what??
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: chet on February 07, 2007, 09:56:36 AM
the housing has no bearing on what locker you get. its the third member and more so the carrier(part the ring gear is bolted to) that determines what locker you get.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Rhinoman on February 07, 2007, 10:32:43 AM
The anvil that calmini makes says that you need their suspension lift.  Do you really need their lift or just a certian amount of suspension left to fit it in.

I missed this bit first time round. The Anvil has the two outer drop brackets built in to the design so you would ideally need to modify your existing centre bracket to suit. I don't see any reason why it can't be used with any other suspension lift.

From the ARB poduct spec:

Quote
Grand Vitara front requires conversion using RD88, Vitara front third member and free wheeling hubs.


RD88 is for 26 splines shafts AFAIK you can also use the 22 spline alternative if you you have a 22 spline Track/Kick carrier. That might be covered in the Zukiworld Tech Article.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on February 07, 2007, 11:30:54 AM
Well I guess it is time to learn about the 26 and 22 spline stuff.  S
So, where are these shafts located?  Are these the CV?
I have a 94 sidekick so how many splines do I have or does it depend on someting else?
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: ack on February 07, 2007, 12:09:30 PM
Here are two excellent articles on replacing the aluminum front axle housing with a steel one from other Suzuki model trucks:

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_090103/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements.htm (http://www.zukiworld.com/month_090103/feature_sidekickdrivetrainimprovements.htm)

http://www.rhinoman.org/mods/f_axle.html (http://www.rhinoman.org/mods/f_axle.html)

(found them by searching at Ack's FAQ...)

If you are interested, I have a spare aluminum front housing left over from a gear harvesting expedition for my Samurai.  PM me for details.

Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Rhinoman on February 07, 2007, 01:24:46 PM
Well I guess it is time to learn about the 26 and 22 spline stuff.  S
So, where are these shafts located?  Are these the CV?
I have a 94 sidekick so how many splines do I have or does it depend on someting else?

The splines are on the front driveshafts. The (US) passenger side pushes right into the diff. The driver's side has a short shaft going into the axle housing that has a 3 bolt flange fitted externally.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on February 08, 2007, 07:40:48 AM
Good
ok those are what I call CV joints, they have rubber boots on both ends.  From my car days we always just called them CV joints.  I guess the CV joint is just part of the front driveshafts. 
Good thing is i knew what they were all the time, and that feels good. I do love learning.

Now, is there anyway to tell how many splines they have without taking them out?
Does the amount of splines depend on year, engine, body etc?

So, to run and ARB, I still use the GV axle housing, then then sidekick 3rd member, and free wheeling hubs.  Does the GV axle housing need to be machined to use sidekick 3rd????

Rhinoman, I thank you a ton for putting up with my questions.  You are  a damn good teacher.   
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: Skyhiranger on February 08, 2007, 08:43:46 AM
Now, is there anyway to tell how many splines they have without taking them out?
Does the amount of splines depend on year, engine, body etc?

A 94 will have 22 spline axleshafts, stock.
---------------------------------------------------------
89-95 trackick will have 22 splines.
96+ will have 26 spline.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: cj on February 08, 2007, 04:14:28 PM
If at some point you want to upgrade to the 26 spline setup and you already have the ARB then apart from the 26 spline inner axle shaft and 26 spline CV all you need to get is some 26 spline sidegears from ARB to swap in place of the 22 spline sidegears.

 No machining is required on the GV housing.
Title: Re: Front Diff Housing
Post by: fullsink18 on February 09, 2007, 09:38:04 AM
Cool, I found a GV housing and 3rd  member for $350.  Not a bad price.

I am still having a hard time understand what i need to run an arb locker with the steel housing setup.

If someone could list all the parts that i need and from which vehicals very cleary.  That would be a big help. 


I swear I usually dont have this much trouble.  Maybe it cause this is a pricy ordeal and I want to get it right the first time (i will blame it on that) ::)