Hi all,

what are the differences between the XL-7 rear axle and a GV rear axle ?

As i know, the XL7 has 28 axle splines and 8'' (or more) ring gear.
The GV has 26 rear and 7,5'' ring gear, correct?

Except those differences , are there are any others like .....  : 

1. XL7 rear axle shafts are longer/wider than the GV axle shafts.

2.The couplers in the rear diff except that they are 28 slpines , how big they look?

3.Does XL-7 looks excactly the same in the rear brakes (except the brake line system), for example its uses 4 bolts for the axle shaft (maybe i,m wrong here) ?

4.does the XL-7 uses the same rims as any GV or they are more/less backspaced?
which means maybe a wider (possible) // shorter (dont think so)  rear axle than GV's ?

5.What is the diameter of the XL7 axle shaft?  same 27.4 as the GV's or a bit more?

Finally, i want to fit some XL-7 rear axle shafts with their 28 slpine couplers to my GV rear axle....    because i,m gona put a locker that it would be built from zero, so i may have enough space to fit the couplers if they re much bigger than GV's. ?

Is that possible ?
or do i need to swap the whole rear XL7 ?


Any help would be great, cause there isnt much time left,

Thank ya all !

1. Track is the same
2. There bigger, so is the carrier
3. Same rear brakes, shoe part #'s are the same until 2004
4. Yes. 16" rims, same offset.
5. Axle shafts neck down.

Check for a locker for the XL7, and if you find one post it here please. If there's one available, swap the entire axle. But note:  1999+ Vitara/XL7's used a 5 link rear as opposed to the triangulated 4link of the previous models.

This would make a decent swap though. However, Nissan Pathfinder rear axles are cheap, have disc brakes on SE models, and a 9 3/4" ring gear with 31 spline shafts. Equal in strength to a Dana60, about 2" wider than your current axle, however they are 6 lug. They also came with a decent LSD in SE form with the disc brakes and have the same gear ratio of 4.62:1. Mounts for the linkage are nearly identical (I'd be suprised if they didn't bolt in - panhard rod may need length/short) and in the same general area.

Hi,

i finally desiced to make a 1st try on my stock GV axle.

I ,m gonna put a locker f/r so i wanted to see if it was better to swap a rear XL-7.
I run 5.12's now.....are they available in the XL-7 too or it has only 4.62's (just curioys) ??

Anyway, the lockers that i will fit are 100% air-lockers, 4 pin frond and rear (using stock suzuki parts in the carrier, p/r, bearings, ect ) , and basically........they are desined especially for the GV.
Then you don't have to use a Kick third  like when you fit ARB....... even at frond, even at rear diff..... you just use your third's.


I ll post when ready....

Thanks for answering xoffroad 

5spd's (man and auto) are supposed to be 5.12's. Others are 4.62. Run a search I've seen this covered here. can't be too far back.

I'm thinking that "someone" (read: Blacknight) needs to get a Montero IFS front 8" ring gear diff, as this has the same 28spline 28.8mm (1.13") specs as the XL7 rear, according to ARB.  Diff carrier just might be the same.

Additionally, the Triton Pickup has the same diff (some do, not all)

Junkfood for thought.

I'm thinking that "someone" (read: Blacknight) needs to get a Montero IFS front 8" ring gear diff, as this has the same 28spline 28.8mm (1.13") specs as the XL7 rear, according to ARB.  Diff carrier just might be the same.

Additionally, the Triton Pickup has the same diff (some do, not all)

Junkfood for thought.

Hummmmmmmmmm