[experament-u2]

hi all
well iv recently being getting bogged in really silly places and i couldn't work out why. i put my car up on jack stands the other day and it turns out i only have 2wd.

i understand the stock GV front diff is air actuated so i was thinking it might be something to do with the airlines maby a leak or something?
i put a diff drop into the car a while back, could this have affected it in anyway?

im planning to swap in a set of standard vitara diffs from a 88 model soon, but until i learn to swap the side gears in the front diff or my mate gets some time im just looking to get all four wheels spinning again.

the car is a 2000 model SWB grand vitara

thanks in advance for any advice on the matter

[royce]

how did you establish its only 2wd?

does the light on the dash flash?

[sp1086]

Also 88 Diffs have a smaller spline. You'll need one out of a 94 or later. + the ratios on Vitara's will be different to your GV so you'll need to change the Crown wheel & Pinion.

Just put a Air locker in there..

[Reubs]

Your suspicions are probably correct. Check the vacuum line on the underside of the diff. I have seen these come off in soft sand even. It's just a matter of having a look under there.

[experament-u2]

royce wrote:

how did you establish its only 2wd?

does the light on the dash flash?

i put the car up on jack stands and put it into 4x4 and only my rear wheels were turning, the 4wd light comes on when the transfer is put into either 4wd high or low

sp1086 wrote:

Also 88 Diffs have a smaller spline. You'll need one out of a 94 or later. + the ratios on Vitara's will be different to your GV so you'll need to change the Crown wheel & Pinion.

Just put a Air locker in there..

i understand the 88 vitaras ran 22 spline cvs thats why im swapping a pair of 26 spine side gears into the vitara diff, im looking for a lower ratio ring and pinion as im running 30x9.5 r15 wranglers.

also sp1086 silly question but what kind of vitara is your avatar? do you have any more pictures?

il get under the car today and check out the air line going into the diff, thanks for the advice so far everyone

[royce]

I was under the impression the light wouldnt light if the vacuum thingy in the diff didnt lock or the vacuum pump had to keep pumping, IE the line was off

I would jack up again and put it in 4wd and turn 1 front wheel and see if the other wheel turns in the opposite direction or the driveshaft turns

[experament-u2]

royce wrote:

I was under the impression the light wouldn't light if the vacuum thingy in the diff didn't lock or the vacuum pump had to keep pumping, IE the line was off

I would jack up again and put it in 4wd and turn 1 front wheel and see if the other wheel turns in the opposite direction or the drive shaft turns

i just got under the car and all the air lines are on, i pulled the line going to the diff off and put it in 4wd and the light didn't come on. after putting it back on the light turned on like normal so that looks alright.

i jacked up the front locked in the hubs and tried turning one wheel while it was in 4x4 and nothing, no turning of the opposite wheel or dive shaft.

[sp1086]

experament-u2 wrote:

also sp1086 silly question but what kind of vitara is your avatar? do you have any more pictures?

Yeah its a 92 soft top. But heaps of mods.

Look here-->http://nbs4x4club.com/forum/index.php?topic=7423.new#new

[royce]

OK keep turning that wheel and see if its CV shaft turns, if it does and the other side doesnt the diff isnt locking in, if the shaft doesnt turn its a problem in your locking hub or CV

[experament-u2]

royce wrote:

OK keep turning that wheel and see if its CV shaft turns, if it does and the other side doesnt the diff isnt locking in, if the shaft doesnt turn its a problem in your locking hub or CV

yep cv shaft turns with wheel but other side or drive shaft dosent move
so the diff isn't locking in, bugger

i might need to put the vitara diffs in sooner than i expected
is there any oil seals or anything i will need when swap the diffs over?

from what iv being told
the rear vitara diff will bolt straight into the GV

for the front i need to take the 26 spline side gears from the GV rear diff and swap them into the vitara front. then that can be bolted in

[royce]

make sure its locking and there is actual vacuum at the diff 1st

[experament-u2]

how do i go about testing the vacuum for the diff royce?

[royce]

press the 4wd button and pull the hose off at the diff and see if it sucks when you put your finger on it

[gravity_powered]

royce wrote:

press the 4wd button and pull the hose off at the diff and see if it sucks when you put your finger on it

That hose should be blowing, about 5-6psi of blow.

If your light is coming on but you don't have 4WD, I suspect that there is something fishy going on in the diff center.

[experament-u2]

royce wrote:

press the 4wd button and pull the hose off at the diff and see if it sucks when you put your finger on it

gravity_powered wrote:

That hose should be blowing, about 5-6psi of blow.

i feel really stupid now, i pulled the hose off the diff and checked it turns out it was sucking so i swapped the vacuum hoses around on the little compressor and i now have 4x4

thanks everyone for the advice and help