[Gwagensteve]

No, the axle is "fully floating" (-hence "floater") between the drive flange and the side gear of the differential. The axle doesn't touch anything that doesn't turn (except the axle seal)

Hope that makes sense.

Steve.

[jonno_racing]

Steve, is there any merit in using a shortened Vit diff with one stock axel and one shortened and re-splined, as in non floating?
i would guess the axel would then become the week point, however how strong are they? people are running some pretty decent tires on wt sierra diffs, and surely the vit axles are stronger?

[Gwagensteve]

No, vitara axles are no stronger. They are the same spline at the diff as WT sierra and that's where they all break. It's not hard to break rear axles in a Vitara. I've heard of them breaking on road with a welded diff and 33's.

Vitaras run larger wheel bearings which is a win, but they'll all fail the same if they're full of mud.

Back in the day I think TT offered vitara rear axles setup the way you describe to fit a WT. They're now extinct. Too much work for not enough gain, IMHO, but yes, it is possible.

Steve.

[got_bar_work]

Stock vit rears r rubbish
I was twisting splines all the time on 31

[jonno_racing]

Ah thought as much Cheers Full floater it is then!

[TZAR]

Steve do you give pensioner discount???? Just asking for jonno.

[jdk81]

TZAR wrote:

Steve do you give pensioner discount???? Just asking for jonno.

Steves stuff is $70+post

Dean from performancecryo has a payment plan
$300 to get started, and $250 when done.
Plus postage.

Vit rear diff is $100 or so.
Other stuff can be sourced on a needs basis.

So financially it is fairly easy to budget for

[SierraDan]

Mine is just about done. Thanks to this write up and Steve. I'm not as happy with it as i'd like to be but its good enough for now.

[mika]

nice work Dan!

[got_bar_work]

Looks good dude

[SierraDan]

Cheers guys. Ill get that centre out to you on monday got_bar_work, thanks for the lend.

[gregc]

That rear housing looks a bit glossy Dan. Are you sure you followed Steve's instructions?

On another note - don't forget your brake line brackets before your final coat of shine.

[SierraDan]

Its way too glossy. Will be getting some flat on top I reckon haha.

Y'know, i forgot about them AND the oil dams haha.

[ozhummer]

Glossy RULES !!!!!!!!!!!!

[jdk81]

Email back from Dean,

Supposedly mine will be done by the end of the next week.
It took him quite a few months to get the material, and apparently has material for 2 more sets.
He said they are made as blanks, and can suit other lengths too.

I ordered on the 26th Jan, so if you half interested, jump in before the dollar drops more, and whilst he has the material.

[OVERKILL ENG]

Looks good now just a suzanna for the front )

[got_bar_work]

hey dan did u end up getting that centre back
we moved sheds and i havent seen it
hows the truck coming along

[Gwagensteve]

OVERKILL ENG wrote:

Looks good now just a suzanna for the front )

I'm not really sure there's any point for us - We're not breaking DT's, occasionally we toast hub bolts but they're quick and easy to change trackside. Larger kingpins might be a nice upgrade but that wouldn't be impossible to sort without swapping the whole knuckle.

Steve.

[OVERKILL ENG]

Gwagensteve wrote:

OVERKILL ENG wrote:

Looks good now just a suzanna for the front )

I'm not really sure there's any point for us - We're not breaking DT's, occasionally we toast hub bolts but they're quick and easy to change trackside. Larger kingpins might be a nice upgrade but that wouldn't be impossible to sort without swapping the whole knuckle.

Steve.

Fair call..

[hackd]

Question for the guys that have done this mod, if I was to do a floater conversion to a standard width vitara housing how much width would be added by the addition of the floaters?

[Gwagensteve]

About 70mm overall from memory.

Steve.

[hackd]

Awesome thanks, this will be on the list of things to do.

[scottiej]

I'm not sure if i'm just being blind but what length axles would I need to order to make my own full float set up following this guide.

I can get the axles made here in the UK.

Thanks

[Gwagensteve]

I'll run tape measure over mine in the next couple of days.

Steve.

[scottiej]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I'll run tape measure over mine in the next couple of days.

Steve.

That would be awesome thanks

[Gwagensteve]

Sorry for the delay, my axles lengths are as follows:

Short side 605mm
Long side 805mm


Steve.

[scottiej]

That's perfect, thanks Steve.

[got_bar_work]

Are vitara front bearings stronger then sierras

[Gwagensteve]

Not as far as I am aware. They are shallower though, so if you are trying to fit a floater without cutting the axle housing, Vitara bearings don't increase track width as much. Personally, I like the "old school" format of the WT bearing arrangement.

Steve.

[got_bar_work]

If suzuki and Toyota both use Asian fwh. Does that mean u could use cromo flanges for a upgrade in strength at the hub end or will the diameter be to big