Howdy,

I just bought my first Samurai, it is an 1987 JX soft top.

When i bought it the guy who sold it to me told me that the front pinion bearing needed to be replaced, after talking to a few knowledgeable people i have come to realize that this guy was driving it like this for a while, it is very sloppy in the front.  Anyways after hours and hours of research and pricing i figured that it would be better to just buy a used diff from a good salvage yard.  I was going to buy one from Suzuki Lightning Conversions in Tampa, Fl (cause i live in Florida) for $150 plus shipping, and then i came across HWY 83 Suzuki Salvage near Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they have them for $75 including shipping WOW.  Im planning on ordering the front third member Friday.

Im also ordering a lock rite locker from Rocky Road.  In the mean time i will be pulling wheels out and check outer gears and also axles.  Just wanted to know if anyone has any advice or tips to make this easy or easier.  Also is Hwy 83 Suzuki Salvage a reputable company.

Also just wanted to let everyone know that this is my hunting vehicle and i live in Florida so no rock crawler just mud and sand and also there is an area over here that has alot of washouts that i used to run my truck at.

1987 Samurai jx, 3" SPOA lift (not sure what manufacturer) 31x10.5x15 Definety mud terrains, bed liner spray everywhere.

I will be doing just the front diff and locker for now.  The rear diff and driveshaft will be later.

Btw is it easier to work on and replace u-joints while the diff is disconnected.

Thanks everyone.

Did the previous owner mention anything about what the gear ratios were in the differentials?

Hopefully they are 3.73.  This is the stock ratio.  Any other ratio is an indication that the differentials have been modified.  That is not a bad thening except if the differential that you purchase does not match the other diferential, you will have problems!  a SPOA lift with 31s fairly screams for regearing by the owner.  Hopefully the transfer case has been regeared...

Also, it is important to point out that early model front differentials (like the one that was originally installed in your truck) had four spider gears instead of two.  A two-spider-gear differential will work but will not be as strong.

There is good news though:  A $75 differential is, if nothing else, handy to have should you want to rebuild difs at your leisure.

I hope that this helps!

Man i don't know a whole lot and you just gave a good amount of info thanks.

I don't believe the previous owner changed the gears at all, after i replace front and rear diffs i was gonna save up and do the transfer case gears, nothing serious just 4.16.

And i will definetly find out how many spider gears the diff being sent to me has, i have not ordered it yet and the guy says that they have 6 total so i will make sure to get one that has 4 spider gears so it is the stronger one.

Thanks a bunch.

I just checked and my diff gears are 3.73, i lifted one tire off the ground and marked the tire and driveshaft and rotated tire 2 times (cause its an open diff) and the driveshaft went 3 3/4 around or 3.73 times.

Stock then, so your in luck.  At least for finding replacements. 

I have a set of 4.16 i just took out to go deeper; pm w/offer if interested...

best of luck w/your rig.


on edit:
transfer case gears

Stock then, so your in luck.  At least for finding replacements. 

Yes, im happy about that, because i can't even find anyone that sells different ratio ring and pinion gears, hell i can't even find the stock ones.

Quote from: Drone637 on September 22, 2011, 11:07:11 AM

Stock then, so your in luck.  At least for finding replacements. 

Yes, im happy about that, because i can't even find anyone that sells different ratio ring and pinion gears.....

I guess you haven't looked in the classified section on here then.

"I guess you haven't looked in the classified section on here then."

I did not know there was a classified section, thanks.  I will check it out now.

I ordered the front third member this morning 09-23-2011, expecting it sometime around Thursday.

I will keep ya'll posted.

Update:

Everything is ready for the diff (except locker) old diff is pulled out and stocked on my shelf, was not a hard job at all to remove everything, i followed Ack's Factory Service Manual, had to buy some new tools and away i went, just so everyone reading this knows, the nut that fits on the pinion that hold the flange in place is a 27 mm.

I want to know why one side of the axle housing has green fresh looking grease and the other side has real dark smelly grease in it, i noticed that the seal on the drivers side wasn't in good condition and the there was alot of visible grease before i pulled the knuckle off.....?

I want to know why one side of the axle housing has green fresh looking grease and the other side has real dark smelly grease in it, i noticed that the seal on the drivers side wasn't in good condition and the there was alot of visible grease before i pulled the knuckle off.....?

Probably because either the axle seal or knuckle seal is leaking.  Since you are there, I would replace both seals on both sides.

Quote from: FinishTheGame on October 02, 2011, 10:09:22 PM

I want to know why one side of the axle housing has green fresh looking grease and the other side has real dark smelly grease in it, i noticed that the seal on the drivers side wasn't in good condition and the there was alot of visible grease before i pulled the knuckle off.....?

Probably because either the axle seal or knuckle seal is leaking.  Since you are there, I would replace both seals on both sides.

Yeah, i believe the oil seal wasn't installed correctly, can i pick up the seals from most auto parts stores?

Quote from: Skyhiranger on October 04, 2011, 06:29:46 AM

Quote from: FinishTheGame on October 02, 2011, 10:09:22 PM

I want to know why one side of the axle housing has green fresh looking grease and the other side has real dark smelly grease in it, i noticed that the seal on the drivers side wasn't in good condition and the there was alot of visible grease before i pulled the knuckle off.....?

Probably because either the axle seal or knuckle seal is leaking.  Since you are there, I would replace both seals on both sides.

Yeah, i believe the oil seal wasn't installed correctly, can i pick up the seals from most auto parts stores?

The axle seal should be pretty easy to find at most any auto parts store. 
The large knuckle seal seems to be harder to find.  I have found them at Advance Auto Parts stores though.  They were about $10 each a few years ago.