[weelz]

Can anyone let me know if my SV420 front axles (half shafts) are interchangeable with the SV416 ones? I'm looking to do a ratio change from 4.6 to 5.12 to suit my 225/16/75 Cooper STT's, and I'm looking for a quick and easy diff casing changeout rather than opening both diffs and changing crown & pinions. While we're on this topic, does the complete rear diff unit interchange too? I understand I'd be sacrificing the better SV420 axles by going to the SV416 units, but I'm after a quick and (not too) dirty fix until I get a chance to do a proper job during my next annual leave break. Any help will be appreciated.

[atari4x4]

you only want to use the 3rd members from a SE416 (complete diff centre) and use your CV shafts as the 1/2 shafts are longer & the rear axle assembly is wider on the SV's

if the front SE416 is 26 spline it will swap straight over, if it's from a 22 spline some jiggerpokey is required. essentially you'll need one from a 96-97 (needs to have the same shape dashboard as whats in yours)

the rears are a straight swap, remove the 4.6:1 3rd member & replace with the 5.12 using the axles & diff housing from your car. the later model ones have a 12 bolt crown wheel & are stronger, if you find a 26 spline 5.12 front, grab the rear as well

FYI the 1.6 vits are SE, the 2.0 vits are SV

[weelz]

Thanks for your info, Atari. This is exactly what I needed, unfortunately the diffs I have are from a '92, so it looks like the front will include some jiggery and pokery. I was hoping to avoid that at this time. Bugger. Looks like I'll have to wait for a bit longer. Re: the SE, I should have picked up on that as I wrote it, having owned a '91 model for better than 10 years......getting thicker as I get older!

[atari4x4]

did you get the whole assembly eg front diff centre, alloy housing & LHS inner axle?

if so, you can get the RHS 22 spline CV that diff came from & make a hybrid shaft that has the 22 spline inner CV & the rest of your SV CV (half shaft & outer CV)

it's not ideal, but in saying that i ran a hybrid CV for a few years & didn't have a drama. the LHS side will bolt up to the 3 bolt flange as per normal.

[weelz]

Ah! That sounds like the go for the moment. I'm not pushing this zook anywhere like as hard as I did with the old SE416 (I'm still in awe of the places that one got into and out of!!!), and I never broke an axle on that one, so this one should hold up for a while until I can get the front built up properly. Many thanks for your input, Atari.

[atari4x4]

not a problem

should have a little bit more reduction that stock with that size tyre on so should boogie along in high range & be quite usable on road.

bit of CV tech in here if you haven't played with vitara ones before. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=25926