Welded front and rear diffs???

[Mantamac]

I am going to weld up the front diff on the Sportrak this weekend.
Has anyone welded up their rear diff on a road car? I use the Sportrak day to day and for playing and was wondering if it was a viable proposition. I'm not sure how srong the rear shafts are on the Daihatsu axles when running 31's?
I know the obvious stuff like push understeer on roundabouts and more tyre wear, but has anyone lived with it done on their own road car?

Thanks in advance.

Paul.

[flynn]

Tonka!!!

check here:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=64648

[Mantamac]

Thanks. It was that thread that led me to ask about the rear diff.
I think weding the front will be O.K due to the free wheeling hubs, but the rear can give handling issues at speed in the wet. I was hoping that somone who runs a welded diff day to day could give me a little insight. I can do all the work myself so cost isn't an issue.
What about reliability? How strong are the rear shafts? Has anyone ever snapped one?

Mac.

[flynn]

its cheap to get done, easy to do...

getting the front done can cause problems as u can only drive straight when hubs are locked otherwise cv's break every 10 secs...

welding the rear problems that i have heard is going around round-a-bouts the car can go straight if your taking it too fast.

i think if u drive as tho u have welded diffs then u will be fine but if u drive as tho its open, then problems will occur.

pros and cons all round tho

[lay80n]

Welded rear is okay in light 4WD, just gotta learn to drive wccording to it. It will induce understeer, but its easy to learn, ask if anyone near you had a rear locker or welded etc, and go for a drive with it locked, see what it feels like.
Layto....

[HotFourOk]

Instead of welding the rear you could source an LSD for it... or if you have one standard, go and get the clutches repacked and it will be very good offroad then.. and you keep your onroad drivability.

I have heard nothing but negative comments for welded rear diffs... tyre wear is the biggest i beleive... short of going straight ahead in corners.. lol

Im also not sure on the strength of the Roza's shafts and what-not... could cause some issues in that department too...

I'd try to source an LSD if you dont already have one...

[Mantamac]

Does antone know where I can lay my hands on an LSD in the U.K then?
Did Daihatsu make any of their cars with an LSD that would fit the Sportrak?
I don't really want to start swapping axles on this car, as I'm fitting Toyota axles to my other Sportrak anyway.
I like the idea of an LSD as it would make it it a far better road car and a little better in the rough.

Mac.

[Goatse.AJ]

Try some wreckers? They'll be the cheapest option.

You might want to try talking to some of your local Daihatsu Dealer spare parts people, they can prolly help you out heaps with info on what to look for in local models.

BTW, if you're gunna be pulling out both diffs, why not try and get a set of R & P's from an auto while your at it?

[HotFourOk]

The Sporty came out with a factory LSD on some models i beleve?? Are you sure you dont have one?
I know my rocky has an lsd standard...
This would be a better option than welding.. even if it is a little more expensive... you keep your drivablility

Which models came out with LSD standard guys???

[murcod]

I don't think any one model had one standard- it was an option that you could tick when ordering a Feroza new? I tried sourcing one in Australia and didn't have any luck.

The Rocky was a different kettle of fish and later models had them standard IIRC.

[Mantamac]

Are any of the Rocky internals compatable with the Sportrak(Feroza)?
A straight axle swap would be great, but I don't mind re-building the diff to add an LSD pack.

My other option is to fit 'Fiddle' brakes. I could fabricate a disc conversion for the rear axle using a pair of calipers for each disc. One caliper with mechanical handbrake for the factory braking system, and one caliper for the fiddle system.

Mac.