Could someone help me out? I have an '89 hardbody 4x4 4cyl. I'm hoping to put a LSD in the back. I don't need anything hardcore. This is my daily driver and roadability is a big concern. I would like to not spin the wheels quite so easily.
I was wondering if there was a LSD that I could take off of a nissan from the junkyard and just swap in cheaply.

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!

If yours has the H233b differential in the rear, an LSD will drop right in, its a real easy swap. You can swap in the whole carrier to make things simple. You'll just need to determine your axle gear ratio and then find an LSD unit to match. The only trick is that Nissan LSDs are known to not last very long so you may or may not get a fully functional unit.

Another option would be a lockrite locker for $250. If you have the H233b carrier with an open diff and 4.625 gears, there are a LOT of people that would like to have your differential. Reason being is that a lockrite locker will go right in. It wont go in an LSD equipped differential.

So, you may be able to trade someone straight up for their LSD diff.

If you were local to phoenix, AZ, I'd offer you mine for trade, considering the gear ratios were the same., since I'd really like to put a locker in my truck.

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I kinda thought it was the C200 on the older 4 cylinders, but I'm not sure. Because of that I was wondering if I could just swap axels or something.

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!

If you have a removable rear cover, you have a C200. LSD's are available, but are just as expensive as real lockers.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

ya the c200 is open I think they make a lockrite locker for it. You might go this way before you concider swapping for a h223b rear axel.

95 Pathfinder XE
2" PA BL
w/ cut Bronco 2.5" lift coil
Rancho 9000's
32x11.50 BFG T/A KO's 15x8 AR767's
Also have a set 32x11.50 MT's for offroading.

No, they don't make a lockrite for a C200...at least not yet anyways. Wish they did and I never would have spent the cash in the ARB!

Am hoping one comes out soon so I can build my 5.14 geared R200 front with one.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

I've got the lockright, it's awesome. No regrets. Totally streetable, and I would say much more costworthy than the ARB if you can live with it. The only problems with the LSD are simply, that it's an LSD. If you go with a Lockright, I bought mine for 230 bucks from, er, crap, I can't remember... I'll ask my buddy.. I couldn't believe it though... It was only 230 bucks! And it works just as good as Andy's ARB without the hassle of worrying about a compressor.. hehe

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88 Pathy with some box tube.

Yeah a locker might work better offroad. But I don't plan to do any serious offroading. With a lsd I was thinking it would help when I just spin out in gravel on the road because the rear end is so light.

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!

quote:

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Originally posted by cwegga:
Yeah a locker might work better offroad. But I don't plan to do any serious offroading. With a lsd I was thinking it would help when I just spin out in gravel on the road because the rear end is so light.

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!

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Actually it will make it worse. We will begin with a basic traction lesson and why the ARB or any switchable locker is such an advantage.

Basically when a vehicle overcomes its traction, it will generally slide to the side of least traction. This is why when a vehicle spins out on a hill the rearend always slides to the downhill side. Gravity reduces traction and if the vehicle is fighting gravity as well as the weight of the vehicle, guess who wins? There are a number of variables that create this effect on flat pavement. Ice, oil and wheel direction all affect the level of traction experienced by a vehicle.

In an open diff, the power is transferred to the wheel with the most spin. That means if a wheel is stuck in sand, it will receive all the power from the motor. On a slippery road, this can be an advantage. Since only one wheel loses traction, as long as the front wheels are kept straight and traction is even on both rear wheels, the vehicle is less likely to slide.

A LSD on the other hand is a little different. All things being equal, it drives both wheels at the same time. It is done usually via a 60/40 torque split through a series of clutches or a mechanical drive unit. Since the clutches are forever changing which is the primary drive wheel based on the traction it is receiving, the main drive wheel could be on the left one day and the right the next.

What that essentially means is that you are twice as likely to spin out with an LSD than an open diff on gravel roads. This is because since both wheels would be driven at that moment 60/40, both wheels would lose traction with one wheel (the primary drive wheel) receiving more power (less traction), making the vehicle 10 times easier to spin out. That is why on ice an open diff is preferable to a limited slip or locker. On deep snow or sand, the LSD/locker would be preferable. On a switchable locker (ARB/Ox), you have the best of both worlds. An open diff when off and a locker when engaged.

You are still thinking that I am more hardcore than I am. I'm not worried about gravel roads. I'm talking about gravel on the roads. Or dry pavement. Maybe I should just get one 'cause I want one.... anyway a locker is not an option right now. LSD is a maybe but now you've made me rethink. Hmmmm it would be cooler to spin out with both wheels instead of just one.

I guess the real question is since I think I have the C200 how much stuff would I have to switch to put an H233b on no matter which way I decide to go?

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!

quote:

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Originally posted by cwegga:
LSD is a maybe but now you've made me rethink. Hmmmm it would be cooler to spin out with both wheels instead of just one.

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In that case go for it. I just didn't want you to do it thinking it wil make the truck less likely to spin out when reality is it will make it more likely to spin out. If you think it's squirrely now, add a traction diff!

A factory Nissan LSD doesn't work well enough to really make a difference in handling.

And it's also not worth the $850+ it'll cost to get a new C200 LSD and install it for the return you'll get from it.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

Part of the issue is HP also. The factory Nissan LSD sucks, but the lack of hp makes a bad diff worse. Since torque variations is what makes it work, if you have little it doesn't work so good on a clutch type unit. The good side is it is not as likely to break loose. My Blazer I had with the 4.3 and LSD was squirrelly as crud in the rain (we call it Florida ice). When I drove the X, I found the lack of hp made it a lot less squirrelly than the higher horse Blazer. But unfortunately, it is a road-toad thanks to that problem. I guess you win some and you lose some! I agree with Desert Rat, I wouldn't waste my money. The benefits you gain won't offset the cost in the end run.

Ever since I tweaked my LSD by using diff oil not suitable for LSD use (no friction modifier) my LSD has been hooking up much better. Once in a while I'll get a little chirp as I accellerate around a corner at an intersection, and it doesn't take much to get the rear end to step out on wet pavement, but I still have to persuade it deliberately. I wouldn't call it unsafe, just a bit more sensitive.

Brent

Thanks everybody for the help.

Now I guess I'll have to find some other fru fru to add to my truck.:rolleyes:
Speaking of...does anyone know of an inexpensive place to get one of those "bug guard" things keep rocks from chipping the paint on my hood?

'89 Hardbody. Pure stock baby!