[gutshot]

hello
i have a set of discovery 1 diff that i want to install into my suzuki, my main concern is how to connect the steering bracket, i want to keep the sierra steering box, but am unsure how to connect it to the disco diff, is the a company that does that sought of work,

[Gwagensteve]

I'd say that's the least of your problems. Land Rover axles are a good choice but there's going to be quite a few issues to overcome, least of all gearing.

[tanshi]

disco axles are renowned for being weak! id be looking elsewhere for diffs

[watermouse]

Discovery axles have the tie rod on the back don't they, like a Jimny? I would say that if you really want this axle it will be a coil conversion too.

Weak under a heavy V8 rover yes, under a Suzuki probably not so much.

[tanshi]

having seen them up close they are actually smaller in diameter in places than stock zook rear axle shafts.

[watermouse]

Did Rover ever upgrade their axle shafts with power increases over the years?
Reading one of Len Beadell's books, snapping axles in the bush was almost a daily occurence during his explorations in the 50's. Back then I would imagine a landrover having about the same power output as a stock sierra.

[henno]

Yes they did. At some point in the 90's they went from 10-spline to 24-spline.

[watermouse]

that is quite a jump.

[ZUZUKI]

The shaft diameter didn't change, but when 10 splines are cut in a shaft, they are naturally chunky & deep. Going to 24 spline, the root diameter went up, as well as the number of contact points for transmitting the torque load.
There are lots of off the shelf up-grades for rover axles, because, as Tanshi says, they are a bit under done for the typical tyre up-grade from 28" to 32" tyres + added weight of accessories.
There are also lots of aftermarket ratios for the diffs - 3.54:1 std; then 3.75:1; a factory ratio (now rare) 3.9:1; 4.11:1; another factory ratio at 4.7:1 & still lower if you want it.
Lots of locker choices as well, but this will end up being an expensive pair of axles, if all those changes / upgrades are required.
Early (Series 2/3, Stage one) diffs of the late 1958s-early1980s have a narrower track width - more like a Sierra would want to end up at. A Discovery / Range Rover axle is 4" (100mm) wider.
There are crazy cats in the UK, who put Sierra bodies onto a Disco chassis & running gear - frankly, they look silly, have the ability of a L-R, with less interior space & practicality.
Would be a real struggle to get engineered for the road, I would suggest.
Good luck with it though.

[Gwagensteve]

Rover upgraded the strength of their axles by making the cars constant 4wd.
True story.

I don't believe there would be a serious strength problem under a Sierra running common, vaguely sensible tyre sizes. The drag link isn't a serious issue. The location of the diff pumpkins, gearing, brakes, huge track width etc are all major factors.