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swap out rear axle only on tracker

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xkmail

swap out rear axle only on tracker
« on: January 05, 2010, 06:16:42 PM »
I got my vw acme diesel kit in and only problem is the gearing is too low, in other words rpm's too high.
I would like to swap out just the rear axle with maybe something sturdy like from a toyota pickup, but need gears like 3.4 or something.
Also can I retain the stock driveshaft?
Do i need an adapter ? (Low range offroad adapter?
Will it just bolt in without any welding or cutting?
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Offline Drone637

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2010, 07:08:05 PM »
How far up do you need to go?   The stock tracker is at 5.12 but you can find 4.6 gears out of 3 speed automatic Tracker.  ARe you running in 2wd, is that why you only need the rear axle?

Any axle swap you do will require some modifications, some just less then others.
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xkmail

Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2010, 07:12:11 PM »
3.54 would be real nice.
yes it is 4wd but I don't offroad so just the rear.
I know the 79-85 toyota 8" are 55" wide with passenger pumpkin from what i read.
just wondering is it just some plate to weld to the axle for the spring mount?
maybe I can get some cheap coilovers....?
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2010, 08:50:50 PM »
the easiest swap would be the 4.62 and do the front too, just in case you
need the 4wd or someone else locks it in and binds up everything.
You could also get some bigger tires to help the RPM, what RPM do you
want the engine turning at going say 65 MPH? jumping to 3.50 gears is a big
jump, you might do all that work with another axle and be really disappointed.

There are also 4.30 gears from some newer auto trans model Suzuki's as well

Good Luck
Wild
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xkmail

Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2010, 09:08:37 PM »
I live in los angeles so the need for a real 4wd is less than zero.
If I get bigger tires I gain maybe 150rpm, but then again 2" lift and rims and tires is what, $2000?
my ideal rpm at 65mph is 2200, that's the torque hp curve in a vw turbo diesel from what i have researched.
yeah I saw that the 94-98 with auto trans are 4.3 I think, please correct me if I'm wrong, or if they are a different axles or something
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2010, 09:15:37 PM »
Los Angeles is a perfect home base for all sorts of wheeling  ;)
I'm about 90 miles East of LA by Palm Springs.

Same axles, 4.3s would be the easiest swap, and probably the
least desirable ratio, which = cheep to get. You could go to a
235 tire next time you buy tires, they go on stock rims and wont
cost any more than buying tires you already need

Wild
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xkmail

Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2010, 09:18:33 PM »
With stock gearing I need a 40" tire to get me in the 2500rpm range.
with 4.3 i need about a 35" tire.
still alot of lifting, just trying to max my mpg right now.
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2010, 09:20:34 PM »
Quote from: xkmail on January 05, 2010, 09:08:37 PM

my ideal rpm at 65mph is 2200, that's the torque hp curve in a vw turbo diesel from what i have researched.
 


1.9 TD or TDI ???
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xkmail

Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2010, 09:27:05 PM »
1.6td, 70hp
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2010, 09:40:01 PM »
OK, that engine has 68-70HP at 4500 RPM and 98 Ft Lb at 2500 RPM
Stock gearing in 5th at 65 MPH with a 27" tall tire is 3563 RPM
with 4.3 gears at 65 MPH is 2991 if you go to a 235/75 15 tire  
RPM is 2800 which is pretty good for highway driving seeing your
peak torque is at 2500 RPM, you don't want to bog the engine,
that might seem like you are going to save more fuel, but it could
backfire and cost you instead.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2010, 10:14:18 PM by wildgoody »
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2010, 09:44:36 PM »
What year is that engine?
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xkmail

Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2010, 09:28:25 AM »
85 jetta transversal.
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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2010, 09:31:06 AM »
Quote from: wildgoody on January 05, 2010, 09:40:01 PM
OK, that engine has 68-70HP at 4500 RPM and 98 Ft Lb at 2500 RPM
Stock gearing in 5th at 65 MPH with a 27" tall tire is 3563 RPM
with 4.3 gears at 65 MPH is 2991 if you go to a 235/75 15 tire  
RPM is 2800 which is pretty good for highway driving seeing your
peak torque is at 2500 RPM, you don't want to bog the engine,
that might seem like you are going to save more fuel, but it could
backfire and cost you instead.
Ok so that's option one. find 4.3 gears and buy new tires, or used ones at worst.
So now about a toyota 8" rear axle, I find the 85-89 have gears like I want, but it seems they are leaf spring not coil and have a different u-joint.
What is involved in swapping out axles?
PS> what is the axle or vin code for the 4.3 gears off a 94-98 tracker?
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Offline wildgoody

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2010, 10:20:32 AM »
Swapping axles is a big undertaking, it would involve cutting and welding shock mounts and
coil spring perches onto the donor axle, and building a new drive shaft, a hybred
to mate the new axle u-joint to the existing transmission.

In my opinion the work involved to get your ideal gears, and the cost involved,
would not be offset by the fuel savings you may or may not see. for example
a drive shaft alone will be at least $300, and the axle fabrication could cost
another $200-300, with that kind of cash outlay, and a savings of even 10MPG
it would take over 2 years of driving 13,000 miles per year to see a break even.

Now what happens if your gear ratio is not ideal, the savings in MPG is not
there OR the driveability suffers and does not meet your expectation ? money
thrown after bad, for $50 you should be able to get a drop out 3rd in the 4.3
ratio and $20 for a chiltons book to tear the axle shafts out and change out
your 3rd for the new one, see how you like it, I think you will be surprised at
how much of a difference 700 RPM makes

The factory rates the VW engines at 3500 RPM and MPH specs between 63 and 83 MPH
depending on the trans and the year, I think turning around 2800 RPM at freeway speed
is a good trade between MPG and power availability of that engine and  the RPM you wanted

Wild
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Offline ebewley

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Re: swap out rear axle only on tracker
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2010, 10:30:40 AM »
Good advice Wild... ...and to get the ratio even 'more better'. a set of $70 coil spacers and some 30" tires would get it really, really close to ideal.

-Eric
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