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I've got a '85 RX that has been converted to a rear wheel drive by the previous owner. It only has an open diff - not an LSD. I was just wondering if the rear axles would withstand a locked diff (welded)? If not, what would you recommend? If the axles are unable to withstand the locked diff we are thinking about customising a datsun 180B rear end to fit. Suggestions?
Thanks,
Marcus

If your gonna be driving off surface and in straight line on surface but locked rear is very bad in parking lot or sharp corners, I had that in my Liberty a few years back and I didnt like it much and wore out the rear tyres quicker than what it should've and after that i found some disturbing information about rear CVs under stress that they do break understress.
Cheers
AP

A custom R180 rear end would be cool.
But the advice would have to be return it to AWD or part time 4x4 - why would you want RWD in a Suby?
Otherwise, yeh the axels will withstand locked rear diff, but not forever, you will have to carry a spare and be prepared to replace it once in a while. I've seen the shaft itself snap in two, altho that was with some fairly hefty offroading. It's a bitch to drive slowly in carparks as they bind up heaps.

Thanks for the advice. The car is being built as an autocross car so thats why its being converted to a RWD. Will let you know what the outcome is, whether we use the 180B rear end or weld up the diff already in it.

they last a fair while. Its pretty easy to just remove a shaft for when on the road. Once you know how to do it, itll literally take 30secs to remove/install it. Also if its mainly used in loose gravel/dirt etc this will help your cause.

i believe shaving about a cm off the stub axle on the diff will be sufficient to remove/install the shaft with the diff still in the car. I know of many l-sereis's over here that do it.

alex

You could just chuck in a vlsd or a plated diff? Wouldn't that be easier than welding it?

weldy +1. i loved mine when i had it. but yes annoying for onroad, so i removed the shaft all the time.

Subafury wrote:weldy +1. i loved mine when i had it. but yes annoying for onroad, so i removed the shaft all the time.

Same here. Although I haven't had it in since increasing the tyre size to 27 inch diametre...

Cheers

Bennie

smsubarus wrote:Thanks for the advice. The car is being built as an autocross car so thats why its being converted to a RWD. Will let you know what the outcome is, whether we use the 180B rear end or weld up the diff already in it.

id actually go the otehr way adn build it as a front wheel drive car.....

and removing one driveshaft is reasonable on road with a 4wd and the rear locked but this would just be one wheel driving the whole car, circles anyone???