Locking FWD Diff - tips

WanaGo · Post by **WanaGo** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:43 am

Hey,

Have done searches on locking diffs on here, and found a bit of information, but can someone give me a bit more please.

Im starting a beach offroader project, where I plan on using a 1L FWD Toyota engine. Problem is the FWD diff. I originally wanted to use a motorcycle engine, but I havent found one at a good price (thats another question, if someone has a 400cc to a 600cc good running engine for sale, pm me asap plz).
So it looks like Im going to be using a 1L Toyota Vitz engine I have sourced.
I want to lock up the diff, so I can just run a single shaft out to a single axle. This is only going to be used on the beach.

Is it very difficult to get at the diff, and weld up the spider gears? Do you just jam bits of metal in them, then weld them up (after cleaning it fully to get rid of fire hazard oil etc). I have some welding experience, no tickets or anything, but I am able to weld no problem (MIG welding).

If anyone has a sample pic of a FWD engine with its spider gears visible, so I can see what I will be in for, I would really appriciate it.

I havent got the engine yet, hence me still being keen on a 400cc to 600cc motorcycle engine.

Any info would be really appriciated.
Thanks

WanaGo

edwagon · Post by **edwagon** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:55 pm

you need to take the gearbox apart to get at the diff centre, and the diff is usually the first thing in, LAST thing out. Its not hard to pull apart tho, if you're mechanically inclined.
welding it up, make it nice and clean, (washbath, petrol etc) then weld the spider gears to the side gears, and the spider gears to the pin, and the side gears to the carrier, then box the gears by welding a chunk of 10mm plate in the space between the side and spider gears. just have a look and weld it up for life!

fangsport · Post by **fangsport** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:01 pm

WanaGo wrote:If anyone has a sample pic of a FWD engine with its spider gears visible, so I can see what I will be in for, I would really appriciate it.

there must be some 323 owners down south that can show you what they look like :lol:

edwagon wrote: the diff is usually the first thing in, LAST thing out.

except in a 323, where they often jump ship :lol:

drftnmaz · Post by **drftnmaz** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:02 pm

i would also strip the box down then cut two pices of 10mm thick steel and place them inbetween the spider gears so there nice and tight and then arc weld them in there and then it an't gonna break :twisted:

if i had a camera i would take a pic but sorry i dont

wde_bdy · Post by **wde_bdy** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:11 pm

Filling the spider gears with molten lead is apparently an effective (and reversible if you're talented) approach. No welds to break either.

Callum

MetalupYoAss · Post by **MetalupYoAss** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:39 pm

yeah.. or you could just weld it up

Dave

Mr. Mainstream · Post by **Mr. Mainstream** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:08 pm

fangsport wrote:
WanaGo wrote:If anyone has a sample pic of a FWD engine with its spider gears visible, so I can see what I will be in for, I would really appriciate it.
there must be some 323 owners down south that can show you what they look like

edwagon wrote: the diff is usually the first thing in, LAST thing out.
except in a 323, where they often jump ship

he's dead right, just look in my photo bucket