5.12 Vitara diff gears into NT sierra

[MattDrinan]

Can Vitara 5.12 diff gears be installed into sierra diffs?
Is it a simple case of the ring and pinions being installed into the sierra diffs?
Are there any quirks i should know about?

I have 2 front Vitara diff gear sets (5.12 ratio)
I plan to install the gears myself and then have a diff place set the backlash etc

any info at all helps

thanks

[Gwagensteve]

They fit fine, the "quirk" is that the id of the ring gear is larger so you need to retain the centre pins from falling out. This can be done by peening the case over the end of the pins, buying a commercial fitting kit that includes a sleeve to hold them in, or any number of other fixes. If you don't do this the pins will smash the pinion

[tuls]

the frount vit dif will bolt straight up to the frount but you have to take the ring and pinion out and put it into the rear dif thats what i did with mine hope that helps a bit

[MattDrinan]

Thanks for the quick replys, thats a great help

i was told by a suzuki shop that if i was to install a lock-rite (or similar) in the rear it would solve that problem, can anyone confirm that?

matt

[Gwagensteve]

the frount vit dif will bolt straight up to the frount but you have to take the ring and pinion out and put it into the rear dif thats what i did with mine hope that helps a bit

Do you mean you replaced just the carrier in the front diff, or the whole alloy dropout 3rd member? I would have thought the alloy front vitara diff would last minutes in a Sierra

[tuls]

i replaced the whole 3rd in the front ,the alloy held up really well did a couple of comps with it in no probs . but in saying that the zuks 3rd is cast iron no dout it is stronger but as a straight swap no hassesles in having to setting the backlash its a good option .in the back i did have to change the ring and pinion as the rear is 26 spline

[Gwagensteve]

Wow, that's really surprising. I've seen enough alloy vitara 3rd's break I'd never recommend running one in a Sierra

[christover1]

They fit fine, the "quirk" is that the id of the ring gear is larger so you need to retain the centre pins from falling out. This can be done by peening the case over the end of the pins, buying a commercial fitting kit that includes a sleeve to hold them in, or any number of . If you don't do this the pins will smash the pinion

I would like to know some of these other fixes, as I'll be using a Sierra carrier in my Vitara, as to enable fitting of a locker in the vit front.
Present carrier has only 2 pins, and a large gap to the crown gear, so I suspect it may be a wt sierra carrier anyway.

[MattDrinan]

Well i have now fitted the 5.12 gears (approx 1 month ago) I just bolted in the Vit aluminum front carrier and to stop the pins in the rear diff moving i tack welded them in place ( pretty rough way to do it really)... I also welded the rear diff while i had it apart.. pretty good conversion the 5.12 gears cost me $200 in parts and approx 10 hours total to install

[Gwagensteve]

Get ready for that aluminium front carrier to break about..... now.

If fact, you'd better go and check the car right now, it might have fallen apart overnight.

In a vitara, the alloy third member is supported at the pinion. This is the reason that they are able to last at all, however, it's well known that with a locker, and especially in reverse, they break very easily, which is why vitara owners have to upgrade to the steel GV (or Sierra) third member.

By bolting the alloy third member in without support under the pinion, it's going to have a very, very short life. Even more so if you install a locker.

There's very little material around the pinion of the vitara front alloy third member. This was done to ease clearances around the front crossmember. Compare a sierra cast iron front with the alloy vitara front and you'll see there's about twice the material supporting the pinion in the steel diff. Take into account the differences in material as well and it's laughable to try and run one in a sierra.

I'm only banging on about this because when the front third breaks a) It will spoil your day and B) it will wipe out the gears, just like it always does in a vitara, so you'll be back on the hunt for another 5.12 vitara front.

It's false economy to use the alloy third.

PS Suzuki did use alloy front third members in sierras (and Jimnies) but they were exclusively used in 660cc cars. They run different ratios and the design of the third member is totally different to the vitara one.

[4runnerJonno]

I have a vitara front 5.12 for sale. PM me when it breaks and you need a replacement

[MattDrinan]

when i start running bigger wheels + front locker i will convert to the sierra housing until then fingers crossed!...

i was aware it wasn't ideal to run the alloy housing but i'm only running 235's and no locker so i decided it'd be ok for now..

cheers

[Turbo Tonka]

i ran 31s with 5:12s and the front was the complete alloy setup so was the rear welded locker too.had it for bout a year and a half with no dramas sold the car with it still working fine.was welded rear,open front and was never really babied.

another mate also ran twin locked with vit centres until tearing the housing to bits and throwing the pinion and half the centre up into his tray while it was still attatched to the tailshaft

[11_evl]

They fit fine, the "quirk" is that the id of the ring gear is larger so you need to retain the centre pins from falling out. This can be done by peening the case over the end of the pins, buying a commercial fitting kit that includes a sleeve to hold them in, or any number of other fixes. If you don't do this the pins will smash the pinion

when using R&P with an ARB air, would i still need to retain pins.. diff is not apart and cant remember how or if they werre retained???

[Gwagensteve]

As far as I am aware, airlocker cross shafts are retained.

Steve.