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89 sierra diff ratio

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

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89 sierra diff ratio

Post by gq banger »

Hi I am building a 89 sierra for my son and it has 31 inch tyres on it and I would like to know if 5.1:1 diff ratios would be to low or would they be ok for road use.

Thankyou Darryl
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Post by Gwagensteve »

They'll be pretty low - expect revs to be up around 4000rpm for cruising with the 31's on - that's about 500rpm higher than stock.

It's OK, but not ideal.

Off road, they're not much chop - crawl runs about 41.1 - nowhere near enough for steep work. (OK for mud though)

Reduction transfer gears are pretty cheap these days. They'd be a better bet if you want to do off road work with it.

5.12's have their place, but if you want to correct road revs, try 4.6 gears from a three speed auto vitara.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by scooby_74 »

Most ppl ive seen with 5.1 diffs break pinions and crownwheels in real extreem stuff, go the transfer gears cheaper and stronger.
If you want to get real extreem then get a brace ring or cradel for the transfer, several ppl make them or you can buy a calmini off the shelf, makes them very strong
93 NJ,5 speed,2" body lift,32" muddies

There's nuttn like momentum
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Post by Gwagensteve »

You may well be right, I have seen a 5.12 break, but it was a very old diff that had been badly set up at some stage and had a poor wear pattern on it. (I've seen some tall gears like 3.7's break too though)

Additionally, I have a hunch thrust on the pinion bearings increases with the higher ratios. This compounds the problem if crush sleeves collapsing, loosening bearings, accelerating wear (and seal failure) and leading to failure.

I've seen LOTS of sierra diffs with loose pinions. I have had my front diff setup with a solid spacer to try an eliminate this problem. Fingers crossed!

I reckon it's important to get sierra diffs setup by a professional. Consider it an investment.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by joeblow »

go the 5.1's...you'll love em. and steve u have it arse about, you decrease load on the pinion bearings as you go up numerically.
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
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Post by Gwagensteve »

My reasoning was the smaller pinions have smaller contact surfaces on the ring gear and the angle of the helical cut is larger, so it stands to reason they thrust more.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by joeblow »

they are under no-where near as much load [ input power and torque ]to turn say a 31 inch tyre, so the thrust forces are reduced. the thrust forces on a 3.9 with 31's is way more, and combined with a reduction t/case is way more again. the angle of the cut is larger so they can get more tooth contact. they may have made the pinion smaller, but have maintained as much contact area as possible.
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
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Post by MightyMouse »

Just in case anyone wants to work out the thrust - here's some links to TIMKENS gear thrust data...

index of terms : http://pdf.directindustry.com/pdf/timke ... -_19.html#

Hypoid Formula : http://pdf.directindustry.com/pdf/timke ... 9-_21.html

Gave me a headache so I'll leave it to the numerically inclined.
( usual disclaimers )

It seemed like a much better idea when I started it than it does now.
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Post by mr green »

back to the question, it will be numming at 4300 rmp @ 1ookmh. bit too high for my likings.and while the 4.6 will be running at 3800rpm @100kmh, good luck finding 2 front centres a wrecker. be cheaper to buy transfer gears
jason
WANTED: swb vitara rear seat. the 3 seater bench type
for sale: wt diffs, snake hi steer, maruti 4.1 wt centres,
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Post by joeblow »

5.1's 4057 rpm.gen 3 hopper 3723 rpm.
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
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Post by mr green »

how are you working out your rpm? i'm getting 4310rpm for .865 5th gear, 1.45 wt transfer, 5.12 diff 31'' tyre @ 62mph
http://www.rocky-road.com/calculator.html
jason
WANTED: swb vitara rear seat. the 3 seater bench type
for sale: wt diffs, snake hi steer, maruti 4.1 wt centres,
Posts: 2169
Joined: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:41 pm
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Post by joeblow »

transfer is 1.409. my chart is done at 60mph.
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
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Location: panania

Post by mkdjjj »

what model sierras have 5.12:1 diffs
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Post by joeblow »

5.1's are from vits
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
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