[ninjamoses]

Hi all,

My apologies in advance as I know there are a shedload of threads on front diffs already, however I haven't really found the answer in black & white yet and I want to be rather sure as my diff knowledge is on the limited side.

I have a SV420 Vit with the much loved alloy front diff. I've got a trail tough auto locker on the way, and as part of the process I want to update the rest of the diff to the various tasty steel bits instead.

Now as I understand it, there are 3 wonderful steel parts I need off a GV.
The steel diff housing
The steel diff third member
And a steel mount/crossmember of some sort???

Stupid question time - I also hear people also talking about a steel carrier some times. Am I right in assuming that is the same as the thirdmember?

Now, from what I have read the later model GVs have a different pinion mount on the third member which fouls the sump on the SV420s. Am I right in thinking the earlier GVs wont have this problem and use the exact same mount as my car? Does anyone happen to know what year the mount changed? I realise the later mount still fits with some effort, but if I'm going to go out and buy one I may as well try and get the most suitable one possible.

The only other thing I haven't found much info on, is the steel cross member thingo? Does this even exist or is it something I just dreamt up? Does anyone have a photo showing it so I know what the hell I'm talking about

Lastly, anyone on here have the above bits for sale before I start chasing up wreckers?

cheers people,
Kris

[steak_knife]

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... pic&t=7039
http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... pic&t=6953
http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... pic&t=6953


Have a look at these.

Steel cross member I'm not to sure about, you already have one, the bit the the diff bolt's to near the yoke & drive shaft, from what I've read in other thread's it's a Lil bit of a mod but not to bad 7 well worth the effort.

Hope that help's.

[mike.knew]

To identify what sort of housing you want go to this thread http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=6930
The Vitara is the one that is busted in the pics in this post (NB: it is the aluminum one) - take note of the bolt holes for the mount that goes between the carrier and the cross member. The cross member on your Vit will be fine - it bolts up regardless what type you use. The carrier closest to you is this thread is from the late model GV and this type will require the sump to be modified in a Vit. I went with this type because I couldn't find anything else. If you have the earlier type carrier you will not need the mounts as you can use the one currently on your Vit.

Carrier, third member - they are the same thing.

These parts are getting hard to find, I made up a list and rung something like 20 wreckers from all over the country and had to get bits and peices from all different sources to come up with a complete set-up. It was a challange but part of the fun of building up a cool vehicle.

I so need to get photos up and update my build thread (promise i will do on the weekend - I am away with work so cannot do ATM), I have some other cool additions.

[ninjamoses]

mike.knew wrote:

To identify what sort of housing you want go to this thread http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=6930
The Vitara is the one that is busted in the pics in this post (NB: it is the aluminum one) - take note of the bolt holes for the mount that goes between the carrier and the cross member. The cross member on your Vit will be fine - it bolts up regardless what type you use. The carrier closest to you is this thread is from the late model GV and this type will require the sump to be modified in a Vit.

Thread revival....

It seems the above thread no longer exists. I'm keen to see the pictures of the different diffs/mounts. Did anyone happen to save copies by any chance? Have searched the entire forum but havent had any luck.

Reason I ask, I've found a wrecker who has a steel carrier/housing from an 03+ model Grand Vitara. I mentioned to them the different mount on the later models, and they have told me they can provide me with a mount that will let me bolt it straight into an earlier Vit without having to mod the sump. Sounds good, however will give em a call tomorrow just to clarify.

Sooo to help me get a better understanding before I call... Does anyone know what year the mount on the carrier changed? And has anyone got the pics of the different mounts they can post for me?

cheers,
Kris

[atari4x4]

Kris, the one that I sold Mike was the later type... I think the change over was 2oo2?

The crossmember/sump is very different on the SV420 compared to the GV's & Mike had to have the sump smashed in pretty good to get the later pinion mount to work.

I wonder where that thread went as I didn't save any of the pics either!!!

[atari4x4]

these came off this thread
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic144145-120.php

late model


early model

[ninjamoses]

cheers Atari. Ahh bugger it I will just get it regardless I think. Have been waiting this long Im not about to let this one slip through. If a hammer is required then so be it

Still keen to see the pics if anyone else has em though!

[atari4x4]

this might be that link of mikes? it's got his smashed in sump.

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... 639#128639

[ninjamoses]

/bows down to Atari's searching skills

thanks heaps mate

[atari4x4]

i think thats got something to do with my photographic memory

[ninjamoses]

Bloody hell, that is quite the dent isn't it. Looks like the trusty hammer will get a work out

Not sure how they are going to provide me with a different mount to make it work, looking at those pics I can't see how it can be avoided. Ahh well will figure something out.

[atari4x4]

did you get in contact with dezook?

they can't be that rare, surely it's worth waiting for an early model one.

maybe shoot DJ710 a pm, as he might have a spare one that he would be willing to part with.

[ninjamoses]

Yeah I did, they are the wreckers I've been speaking to. Sounds like they have a few of them but they are all 03+ ones.

They seem pretty rare eh... I've had trouble finding any steel one at all let alone an early one with the right mount. Cheers for the info about DJ710, will drop him a PM.

On that note... if anyone on here can provide me with a steel housing and steel carrier with the earlier style carrier mount I've got $300 sitting here waiting to give you. I want my damn front locker already haha

[Joe]

Hey guys is it only the 2 litre vits that need the sump bashed in with the 2003 onwards diffs or will mine be the same?????

[atari4x4]

Joseph, i'm not 100% sure but i think there is more room under the 1.6 vits as the crossmember is as different shape... it's got more "droop" than the 2.0 vit.

[rob_macca67]

Guys....

I've noticed on the Steel housings that where they bolt to the car on the RHS & LHS that there is only 3 bolts req'd where as for the Alloy one there is 4 bolt holes..... I know 3 in the steel is probably OK but I assume legal wise it is also still OK?

plus

what sort of $$ would one expect to pay to have the 5.12 R&P swapped into the Steel Centre ??

[crazynic]

Swapping the R&P into the steel housing is will not be super cheap as your looking at around 4 hours work + parts (Bearing kit, pinion seal)....

Depending on the shops labor rates and parts used (genuine or not) id say your looking at around $700 at a guess.

[rob_macca67]

Thanks for that.....

It did end up only costing me $200 cash but this did not include "new" bearings, etc. I kinda figured that the front diffs in the Vitara's sit there not being used until u go 4wdriving, so I took the gamble and reused the old ones.... the guy that did the job said the bearings appeared OK