Ratio Change

[Peter Connan]

You have to get the pre-load perfect otherwise the gears will not last.

This is perhaps the most crucial job of all gear-related jobs. It should not be tackled without specialized tooling and LOTS of research.

[SJC]

I find it interesting that the aussies like to put 35" (or even 37") tyres on their Patrols, but here by us it is not a common practice. Maybe it is because they got more parts (like diff gears, etc) available there by them.

Seems to be a pricey upgrade though: http://www.marks4wd.com/nissan-patrol-diff-gears.html
(Too expensive for a South African's budget..unless you can source the diff gears locally)...

[SJC]

GU 1 Series 1997 - early 2000 Wagons

4.5 P Man 4.111 diffs and H260 rear diff
4.5 P Auto 3.9 diffs and H233B rear diff

4.2 NA Diesel Man 4.111 diffs and H233B rear diff

2.8TD Man 4.625 diffs and H233B rear diff

GU 2 & 3 Series 2000 -> Wagons

3.0TD Man 4.375 diffs and usually H260 rear diff
3.0TD Auto 4.375 diffs and usually H233B rear diff

4.2 TD Man 3.900 diffs and usually H233B rear diff

4.8 P Man 4.375 diffs and usually H260 rear diff
4.8 P Auto 3.545 diffs and usually H233B rear diff

[Peter Connan]

So your best bet is to find a 3l manual and do a midnight axle swop?

Thatshould almost exactly make up for 35's vs 33's.

[Russ Kellermann]

Auzzies do it for lots of reasons:

1: Far more companies who specialise and understand Patrols / Cruisers making it easy and reliable to modify, incl diffs and availability of quality parts.
2: You cannot drive their trails running 33's because they so rutted from 35's... thats why they all starting to run 37"s - natural progression
3: Far greater access to real-world engine mods (particularly Diesel powered motors) , Making it easy to turn that rubber.
4: Highway speed limit is 100km/h. So even if your motor is bog standard, there's no real issue on the road anyway.

The irony is that its illegal in most states there to run 35's or bigger. same goes for anything over a 2" lift. Unless they get it engineered approved.

If i had my way i would love to change my gearing to 4.3 / 4.6 on the pickup and then run a 63% transfer case reduction gear for low range application. using 35's.

[Peter Connan]

So many things would be possible if budget wasn't an issue.

My dream car involves portal axles (to sort out the ratios for 35's) on a 4.8 shorty with x-link front end and a carbon-fibre body and a 3-speed transfer case: 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1...

Because 2:1 is just about perfect for dunes.

[Russ Kellermann]

hahaha.

Yeah, portals would be my choice above all else. Portals means Zero steering / suspension issues, basically would drive like a stocker, accept for the roll of the 35 /37" side walls!

[SJC]

Patrol portal axles: http://www.marks4wd.com/portal-axles.html

[Peter Connan]

Ons weet van daai Fanus.

Maar die prys! Eish.

[Michael]

Dit is nie eers amper die moeite werd nie