Wagon Differential Options

General Discussion about the Datsun PL510
DryHeat
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Wagon Differential Options

Post by DryHeat »

I am looking to upgrade my wagon to a differential with some kind of LSD/Posi ... is there an semi-easy swap available. I do not want to spend alot of money nor do the fab work necessary to install an independent LSD suspension.

Any suggestions or advise is greatly appreciated.
Jim Graham
71 Plum Crazy Wagon
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///FiveOneOh
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by ///FiveOneOh »

diff options that fit your fit criteria?
in short. No.

they all take time, $ and fab work.
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sil8y
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by sil8y »

..or look for a 1600/2000 roadster with one you can pull from.
510rob
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by 510rob »

Datsun SPL/SRL311 Roadsters use the H190, as do the PL510 Wagons (as opposed to the late '70s HL510s), as do the 720, and I presume the 620 pickups (and probably the 521 and 520 pickups...

The common parts are the diff, the carrier assembly (cars are aluminum, trucks are cast iron). The trucks use a different spider gear, so the axles are not compatible = you can mix and match a pile of misc. bits, but if you actually could find an H190 LSD, you'd pay your left nut for it - they are hoarded and coveted like Golem's ring by the guys who vintage race the Datsun roadsters...

So, other options are, as Cam pointed out, do it yourself. Denis narrowed a 1985 RX7 GSL-SE LSD rear end with disk brakes, then installed it into his wagon, but I think he would be the last person to convince you it was an economically efficient swap. If you are set on having a posi, your best bet would be to swap in a Ford rear axle (8" from a Maverick, 9" from a Ford everything, 8.8 from a Mustang, 7.5 from an earlier Mustang) or a Toyota pickup rear axle (these have a lot of parts available, and come with high numerical ratio gears installed from the factory if that is of any interest)

Think about the costs before you commit to the project though - it's going to be pricey no matter what option you pick!!!
datzenmike
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by datzenmike »

Actually some of the 521 trucks and the first year 620 had an aluminum H 190 carrier.

Rob, you say that the HLs didn't run H190s in them.... what did they use? The S12 ran with an H165A and the Maxima had a 165 also. (both coil spring) Did the HL run something similar?
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
510rob
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by 510rob »

The HLs used that same H165 "small" differential.

You can use the iron carrier and the 4.111, 4.375, 4.625 gears from a truck to "wake up" a wagon, but you have to swap the little axle stub bits so the 510 axles will work...
datzenmike
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by datzenmike »

Thanks Rob, always assumed the diffs for the wagon and the HL were the same. I've given the wrong advice in the past I see. :oops: The 520/521 with the J-13 engine also had the 4.88 H-190.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
DryHeat
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by DryHeat »

Thank you gentlemen. I guess I'll live with my one wheel drive for a while but I will also be looking around for rearend that I can get narrowed.

One more thing ... anyone know where I can get a pinion seal?
Jim Graham
71 Plum Crazy Wagon
datzenmike
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by datzenmike »

I got one from NAPA for the 620 H190 about $25.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
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rnorrish
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by rnorrish »

there was another great post on this a while back. It was discovered that some 200SXs came with a H190, as did Maxima wagons.
richard norrish
'68 'goon resto / '71 ice racer / '72 'goon project / '70 4-door rust pile / '67 520 project
----------------------------------------------------------------------
shardik wrote: My swap will be made of solid gold and it will run on puppy farts.
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///FiveOneOh
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by ///FiveOneOh »

I've still had no luck finding an LSD in stock for the 200 though :(
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DryHeat
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by DryHeat »

How about this ... clutch type posi unit for the H190 ...

http://justdifferentials.com/index.php? ... cts_id=516

I think all I would need to do is swap the side gears so my stock axles would work.

Any thoughts on this?
Jim Graham
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hang_510
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by hang_510 »

:idea: i think you buy the 2 listed as avail...

when you confirm it works, sell the other to me :twisted: :mrgreen:
byron wrote:I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a smartie.
okayfine wrote:Sense doesn't always have everything to do with it, and I speak from experience.
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vgwagon
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by vgwagon »

DryHeat wrote:How about this ... clutch type posi unit for the H190 ...

http://justdifferentials.com/index.php? ... cts_id=516

I think all I would need to do is swap the side gears so my stock axles would work.

Any thoughts on this?
Side gears will be next to impossible to find, they are different than non lsd side gears and do not interchange.
Narrow a ford 8.8 or rx7 or ???? diff that is already lsd......cheaper in the long run.
Denis Gagné
AKA VGwagon

69 510 VG30e swapped
73 240z VG30et swapped
86 300zx na2t VG30et converted
DryHeat
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Re: Wagon Differential Options

Post by DryHeat »

hang_510 wrote::idea: i think you buy the 2 listed as avail...

when you confirm it works, sell the other to me :twisted: :mrgreen:
:D Thanks Brian ... That one really made me laugh!!!

VGWagon ... Gracias Amigo ... here I thought I had found a simple solution. I know you saved me a lot of money and frustration.

Any issues with just using Hardbody 2wd truck differential?
Jim Graham
71 Plum Crazy Wagon
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