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Running 2 different diff ratios?

General Tech Talk

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Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Baja Burley »

I'm halfway through a 4link with landcruiser diff in the back of my lux and have a trip coming up with a lot of other stuff to do before hand..

It's a trailered rig and would only be used in the dirt.
The 40series rear diff is 4.11 whereas the front Lux diff is 4.33

Will I run into any huge trouble with this combo for a once only trip?
I just want to get as much sleep before it as I can. Haha!
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by RED60 »

I'm not a big fan of different ratios, however, I do believe (from what others have said) some vehicles did come with different ratios from the factory, tho my brain says they were actually closer numerically than what you are running.... can you run slightly larger diameter tyres on the front to compensate a bit.... tho if you're on loose dirt you'll probably be ok.....
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Baja Burley »

Could that be in the Toyota when they changes from a 4.11 to a 4.10? I've never heard of a factory vehicle with different ratios!?

My thoughts are that for one trip it won't do much harm on the soft stuff. I'll just make sure I use a lot of 2wd on the flat tracks. It's more fun like that anyway :finger:
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by evanstaniland »

why rush to possible fuck it?
do it once and do it properly. there will be more trips
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by RED60 »

Baja Burley wrote:Could that be in the Toyota when they changes from a 4.11 to a 4.10? I've never heard of a factory vehicle with different ratios!?
I think I saw the different ratios from factory quoted on a US site..... maybe an early International Scout... had a quick look for it but couldn't find it...... "someone will know"...
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by bazzle »

Too big a difference imo
Yes there were 2 Toyota ratio but so close to be ok.

On yours you will get wind up. Driveline will snatch and grab if traction is good, uni, pinions, cv's take the shock not worth the risk.
wheel diff is about 40 rev per kilometre.

BUT its your truck :)
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Rhett »

yes running two different ratios is ok within reason, no what you are going to do won't work for traction. 4.11 in the front and 4.3 in the rear would be ok but other way round wont climb. You can try and see how it feels, whats the worst that can happen? Just keep off the black top.
Its a wheelbase thing
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Baja Burley »

evanstaniland wrote:why rush to possible fuck it?
do it once and do it properly. there will be more trips
It's an addiction! I NEED to wheel no matter what the consequence!!! :lol:

I'll put it on the bottom of the to do list before I go and if it happens great, if it doesn't, I'll tell you what happens :popcorn:

It will be twin locked with the lux diff, but only rear locked with both cruiser diffs, another reason to keep it.

Always keen to hear opinions from the OL crew. Thanks Lads.
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Shadow »

If you only put it in 4wd when your rears are slipping, then it will work! and probably work just as good (in this situation) as matched ratios.


4.33 to 4.11 is only 5% difference. Thats the same as having bald tyres on the rear and new tyres on the front.

on a 33" tyre it equates to about 40mm difference in diametre.
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by AFeral »

Read somewhere they use different diff ratios on the Formuler Extreme trucks in Europe.
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Herb05 »

Different diff ratios will cause bind up on hard surfaces and could cause breakages or premature wear depending on the difference in ratio. There is a purpose to use different ratio's but not usually in every day use. We use to run a faster ratio in the front of our Mud Buggy but this was really only to aid with steering and also kept the buggy in a straight line easier. Personally I would not run the different ratios but the choice is yours.
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by fatso »

done it plenty with 3.7 & 4.1 in my old 45 ute back in the daybut will bind up on hard sufaces but in the soft is fine but be aware of the risk of breaking.
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by J Top »

I thougth the Ford XY 4WD utes had different ratios factory
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by Dozoor »

I done it years ago on a sierra , as rett stated,i found slightly lower in the front works a treat on steps ect and the opposite in Mud.

End result is wear of course .


You may void your warranty :rofl:
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Re: Running 2 different diff ratios?

Post by William12345 »

i'd just run same ratios
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