Landcruiser Diff Recondtioning

Submitted: Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 20:20

ThreadID: 12707 Views:11639 Replies:5 FollowUps:12

This Thread has been Archived

Chris Gough

G'day all.

I unfortunately appear to be in need of a little advise on where to take my 75 Series Troopy to have the rear diff looked at and maybe re-built. The symptoms I'm currently experiencing are a rumble that starts at 95 km/h and is gone by just shy of 110 km/h and the diff also has an excessive amount of backlash - albeit a very small excess. The vehicle has had this rumble and backlash since I purchased it so 10,000km ago and realistically it doesn't appear to be deteriorating but I'd obviously like to know it's not going to go bang on the middle of Stockton beach so it's about time I took some action.

I've been searching through the forum and have been unable to find anyone else that's experienced similar symptoms or more to the point, put a dollar figure to the problem. So the question is, has anyone had a rear diff in a Troopy re-built and if so (I'm taking a seat now) what was the damage to the bank balance.

Also, seems the diff appears to have to come apart is it worth having a Detroit centre put in whilst I'm at it or is the work that is already required going to be scary enough that I should defer any mods to a latter date?

-Manic

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 20:29

Reply By: Eric Experience. - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 21:43

Reply By: ross - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 21:55

Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 21:55

Yes there is a way of determining the type of diff you have.Look for the letters and numbers something like this K 08 3 or K 08 5 would indicate LSD
K 08 4 would indicate a factory locker. K 08 2 would be an open diff.
The K is for 9.5 inch diff ,the 08 is for 4.10 ratio and the number at the end indicated the type,LSD locker ect
I think all 70 variants have a LSD.To my knowledge only the Japanese models have an open diff.
Never had to do one but all the advertised reco diffs are about $500-$600.
Add another $300-$400 for detroit locker.
Yes if you want a locker,now is a good time but take it to someone who has done them before so they know how to adjust the backlash

AnswerID: 57773

Follow Up By: Chris Gough - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 22:39

Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 22:39

Thanks Ross.

K 085 is stamped on the manufacturer's compliance plate so it would appear to be a LSD. I couldn't find anything stamped or cast into the diff housing though.

I'm a bit worried about taking the vehicle to any of the people that advertise Detroit lockers locally as the price of everything else these people sell appears to be over-inflated - I've never seen them put a price to a Detroit centre.

I don't suppose anyone can recommend someone in Sydney's west that does this sort of work?

-Manic

FollowupID: 319538

Follow Up By: ross - Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 00:02

Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 00:02

Pricing on these items is absurd I agree.They tend to adjust the price based on their conceived idea of the customers intellect.Suspension items are the same.
Its also very annoying when they wont give you separate price on labour and parts.I refuse to deal with any company that does that,it just breeds mistrust.
I think I was a little optimistic on the price of the unit.Its likely higher.
Best thing to do is open up google and put in" diff locker" and learn about all the characteristics of a locked diff.
One of the problems when you go to these shops is they will try to steer you towards products that a more profitable than what you want.
Being armed with knowledge is you best defence.
Your local parts store maybe able to order them in but your best bet is a transmission and diff specialist who is not part of the big 4x4 rip off.

FollowupID: 319552

Follow Up By: ross - Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 00:43

Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 00:43

Chris I found Tractech home site and they say this company in Granville is their distributor.The site has an order form and email for price request.
http://www.locked-drive.com.au/

FollowupID: 319553

Follow Up By: Chris Gough - Monday, May 10, 2004 at 14:11

Monday, May 10, 2004 at 14:11

Thanks Ross.

I've spoken to ‘the mechanic in the family’, now that I’ve been able to track him down, and he's going to take a look at it at some time latter in the week. I haven't mentioned the Detroit Locker as yet but he's done a lot of Ford 9" Detroit Locker conversions in the past (he may have done Landcruisers also) so I'll run the idea by him and see what he thinks. He's owns a XY falcon with a Detroit Locker and has done for over 10 years now.

I'll keep everyone posted as to what is identified as the problem and what the end result turns out to be.

Thanks again Ross and thanks to everyone else that has offered advise on this thread!!!

-Manic

FollowupID: 319733

Reply By: murrayg - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 22:38

Reply By: Janset - Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:38

Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:38

Hi Manic.

I have been down the diff locker path, not the same as yours, but you did mention Detroit lockers.

I have had considerable dealings with Detroit, the Australian division and all I can say about them is that they would have to be the most_ honorable_ distributors that I have ever come across in any of my dealings. Nothing was too much effort for they.

My run in was with a thoroughly disreputable Diff and Transmission "Specialist" in Jolimont W.A. who treated me like Sh*t after they stole my money. When I tried to sort out problems, they just weren't interested to the point of being rude.

The Detroit mob over East (Sydney I think) bent over back-wards to accommodate me and to ensure that I was satisfied with their product.

I am ashamed to say I have lost their address but if you do a Google search you should be able to find the address. Then ask them, who they recommend fixing your diff should you wish to go with them, not like the germ that I initially dealt with.

Go straight to the horse mouth.

Regards

AnswerID: 57881

Follow Up By: Chris Gough - Monday, May 10, 2004 at 14:21

Monday, May 10, 2004 at 14:21

Thanks Janset.

That's great news for someone like myself that may be in the market for one. I still have to see how the finances are and find out what else needs to be done.

Going straight to the importer of this sort of thing is a good move in my opinion. I've recently been investigating a Safari Clutch for my cruiser and have been told all sorts of things and quoted some ridiculous prices.

The solution to this problem was to phone the Australian distributor that, as luck would have it, is just down the road from me and ask them the questions I wanted answers to like 'is it going to do what I want or is it overkill' and 'who should I buy it from'.

-Manic

FollowupID: 319735