[Desoto29]

Hi. Im new on this forum so please be gentle on me.
I have done a search but I cant seem to find the answer to what I am looking for. (but that could be that I am new to forums and not really doing the search right).
I have just purchased a 1986 NT LWB Sierra High Top wagon. I believe it s a SJ51.
From what I can gather this one has some history as it has an A frame and also apparently has had altercations with trams ect.
While it seems that it was a well used and abused car, Im sure that I can make something out of it That I will enjoy.
I hope to have something that I can get out in and have fun with, that is semi reliable.

My Question is around diffs. I would like to fit some form of lockers in the diffs, but from what I can see, I can only do such with a wide track??? Is this correct.

From what I have been able to see, you need to upgrade axles and CV's when you run a locker, and to do this you need to go to wide track diffs? Is this correct, or can I get the stronger Axles and CV's for the 1.3 L NT also.

As Im new to this I will attempt to add a photo, but I will probably fail.

[want33s]

Lockers of various forms* can be fitted to NT and WT as the diffs are identical except for ratio (and housing width obviously).

Sierra front axles are 22 spline , rear axles are 26 spline.
Aftermarket front axles are 26 spline for extra strength but only come in WT lengths.
When fitting 26 spline front axles a rear diff centre is used in the front.



* Spartan, Lockright, ARB are a few.

[Desoto29]

Thanks for that. Looks like I might need to get some WT diffs.
Are the CV's the Same on Front, Or do I need the WT CV's aswell??

[Marko_SJ]

Desoto29 wrote:

Thanks for that. Looks like I might need to get some WT diffs.
Are the CV's the Same on Front, Or do I need the WT CV's aswell??

What tire size? I run rear locked no worries on stock axles.

Small tires and sympathetic driving, however.

[Desoto29]

The Current Tyres are only a 215 / 70 / 15.
I am hoping to go to a 30 or 31 inch tyre. It already has a 2 inch lift
I am new to 4WD's so I think sympathetic, and I wont go together untill I get some experience.
I am hoping to get the vehicle right to do a Cape York Trip, So I dont want breakages when Im miles from anywhere.

[Marko_SJ]

Desoto29 wrote:

The Current Tyres are only a 215 / 70 / 15.
I am hoping to go to a 30 or 31 inch tyre. It already has a 2 inch lift
I am new to 4WD's so I think sympathetic, and I wont go together untill I get some experience.
I am hoping to get the vehicle right to do a Cape York Trip, So I dont want breakages when Im miles from anywhere.

For the sake of reliability, I'd find some WT housings, do a NT perch conversion and chromo them, solely because of your zooks intended application....

I like the locker because it means I can drive MORE gently however. Ie: let the tires down, first low, locker. Its cheating compared to suckers who are ungeared and unlocked

RE: CV's, I'm sure you get them when you buy the front chromos.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.ph ... pline.html

[Desoto29]

Thanks For that Marko.
I think I better go and Buy a Wide Track Sierra and wreck it out.
at least I get the 26 spline read centre for the front that way. Plus the flairs.
So there are no issues dealing with low Range??
I have Never dealt Direct with the USA before.

[Marko_SJ]

Desoto29 wrote:

Thanks For that Marko.
I think I better go and Buy a Wide Track Sierra and wreck it out.
at least I get the 26 spline read centre for the front that way. Plus the flairs.
So there are no issues dealing with low Range??
I have Never dealt Direct with the USA before.

Some people have had trouble. But AFAIK it was all rectified by Sean and Low Range Off Road (LROR), there is a thread about it in chat.

But they have many happy customers me included, they are far cheaper than any of the local stuff such as snake oil racing.

RE: front centre. I think you can buy the side gears anyway from LROR.

[want33s]

Check out some of the build threads in the Rigs of AZ section.
Plenty of WT'd NT LWB's in there.

[Desoto29]

Thanks Gents.
gives me something to go on.
so the search is on for Wide Track Diffs.

[pezz]

i have lockers in my 1.3 nt lwb, im on 30" treps
no drama's yet,
i am doing a wt diff swap one day... have them here, just to lazy to do it
but i will be reusing the locked centers out of the nt diffs to keep the 3.9 ration centers

[Desoto29]

Thanks for that Pezz.
I love your Truck it is really cool. I love how it sits, and looking at some of the tracks you have been on, I think 30" will do me just fine
So you have the original 22 spline in the front still?
I am new to off roading, I will probably get scared before I get to a point of breaking it.
I love

[Gwagensteve]

Hi Desoto,

The wheels on your car came from my shed - the previous owner came up to my place and I had a good look over your car. It's quite a nice example, and that hardtop is really rare.

If you don't intend to run a front locker and don't intend exceeding a 31" tyre, I don't think there is any reason to go to the hassle of running 26 spline front axles. It's unlikely you'll ever break a 22 spline front axle on 30's and with an open front diff.

As for going to widetrack axles, sure, it's a great modification, but it's not a bolt in by any means - you need to be a reasonably skilled fabricator to get everything properly aligned. It's certainly something to look at in the future, but you'd need a good reason - like continued parts breakage - to justify the not inconsiderable cost and effort.

If you are new to 4WDing, I'd consider joining the Vic Suzuki Club, so you can learn how to get the best out of your vehicle.

Steve.

[pezz]

Desoto29 wrote:

Thanks for that Pezz.
I love your Truck it is really cool. I love how it sits, and looking at some of the tracks you have been on, I think 30" will do me just fine
So you have the original 22 spline in the front still?
I am new to off roading, I will probably get scared before I get to a point of breaking it.
I love

cheers mate, i like it too..
low and slow

in all of those pic's it was open front end
i have run the front locker since then, but it currently out and in my WT diffs for mock up to shave them
i have only run it as 22 spline, and i intend on keeping it that way,
if i have any drama's i will swap out the side gears to 26 and grab some cromo's.. but only if i have drama's with the stock units

[Desoto29]

Thanks for your reply Steve.
I'm still trying to work out the history of the vehicle. It seems that it has a bit of a past.
Seems that it had a bent chassis, then it was re chassis, then hit by a tram, so it has had a chequered past.
I brought it as it looked solid for rust, and the rest I can fix.
As a NOOb I dont want to seem to be a smarty, but I am lucky when it comes to fabrication and modifications. I have just finished building a 32 ford chassis from scratch for a mate. But if I can get away without doing a heap of mods I would be happy.
The Vic Suzuki club looks like a good idea, but I must say looking at some of the tracks you guys take, that is a little intimidating for a newbie like me.

Pezz thanks for your reply too.
So you say your Tyres are Treps. What are they??
I think that your tyre size would be perfect for me.

Thanks again gents for taking the time to reply, It looks like a locker in the rear, some 30" tyres and some lessons and I will be right.

Dave

[pezz]

30x9.5x15 maxxis trepadors

[Marko_SJ]

Desoto29 wrote:

So you say your Tyres are Treps. What are they??
I think that your tyre size would be perfect for me.

Thanks again gents for taking the time to reply, It looks like a locker in the rear, some 30" tyres and some lessons and I will be right.

Dave

I've got treps as well, I have them in 30*9.5. Maxxis "trepador" mud tires, they are good in mud and on rock.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-3-m8060-trepador

I also run a rear locker and gearing.

They go pretty well set up just like that. You'll be well satisfied.

Still kicking myself that I sold my LWB zook.

[pezz]

here's a thought!

come for a 4wd at mount cole, you can see how my rig go's and see if its what your after
might even let you have a drive..
at the moment it is rear locked with 4.9 tcase gears and 3.9 diffs
at the least you will have a fun days wheelin

[Desoto29]

Ok Treps seem to be the go.

4.9 tcase gears and the 3.9 diff should be ok too.
My main aim is to do a Cape York trip. So as long at it isnt revving its guts out at 100 I will be happy

Thanks for the offer Pezz, At the moment I need to watch the dollars, Work decided they didn't want my services anymore, so a new job needs to be a priority. So the good running over of the Sierra will have to wait a few weeks.

But my build plan is coming together nicely now

[pezz]

i drove a smidge over 1200kms in a single day in mine..
the gearing is great..

there are heaps of tyre options in the 30x9.5x15....
treps arnt the be all of the radial mud tyre world...
dont get me wrong, i like them... but dont count out other options

[bohuler]

Desoto29 wrote:

Ok Treps seem to be the go.

4.9 tcase gears and the 3.9 diff should be ok too.
My main aim is to do a Cape York trip. So as long at it isnt revving its guts out at 100 I will be happy

Thanks for the offer Pezz, At the moment I need to watch the dollars, Work decided they didn't want my services anymore, so a new job needs to be a priority. So the good running over of the Sierra will have to wait a few weeks.

But my build plan is coming together nicely now

YAY! Another Dave and another LWB n/t

My best suggestion is to remove the body lift and leave it stock and just take it out on some trips. I used to be able to drive my ungeared unlocked lwb up some silly shit that when you have done it you have that awsome feeling of pulling the seat cover out of your bum where it has been hoovered up as you pucker
I personally really liked the n/t. Being smaller in width then the w/t you could drop a wheel in one rut and drive up tracks that the w/t cars are in both ruts diff scraping.
Mine was bog standard and I used to use it as a daily driver for about 3 year racking up 100,000k in that time and found there was no issues with reving on the highway. (you couldn't get it past about 105k/h) and would cruise along at 95 happy as for hours

Dave

[Desoto29]

Thanks Pezz.
I first thought that bigger tyres would help with increasing cruising speed, but it seem that the motor hasn't got the torque to pull it without gearing. But 1200km in a day is pretty good.

Hey Dave.
Yes another Dave and LWB n/t
I dont think I was that clear on my earlier post. It has a 2 inch spring lift, not a body lift.
I think at this stage I will just run over it, wheel bearings, uni's, and bushes, and see what it can do.
But I do like the idea of bigger tyres and at least a rear locker.

Thanks again for you comments and suggestions guys

[Gwagensteve]

Desoto, don't be alarmed at a lot of the club photos that get published- it's the spectacular/hard stuff that gets the most interest. The club runs heaps of easy/medium trips your car would be perfectly suited to- they far outnumber the hard trips.

Steve.

[bohuler]

What suburb you in? If you are near or around Emerald I can get your car up on the workshop hoist on Sunday arvo to help go over it with you.

[Desoto29]

Hi Steve.
I think Joining the Vic suzuki club is something I need to get onto rather quick.

Hey Dave.
Im from Ringwood, Thanks for the offer, but I have almost finished building a 32 ford chassis for a friend, and once that is done I can get the Sierra on the hoist in the shed and have a good look.

I lost my job yesterday, so I have to find something else before I start spending to much money, so its on hold for a month or so while I get another job.

Thanks heaps for your suggestions and comments guys

Dave