Thread: mixing diff ratios on same vehicle?

Yes it would cause problems, but lucky for you they are all the same ratio, 3.54:1, who ever told you that rubbish needs a beating

NO you can not mix ratio's on a 4x4. Simply the whole drive line must run at the same speed.

Hi Stevan
Both are correct.
All Rangies are 3.54.
However,on a part time 4WD(not Rangie/Disco)ratios can be mixed.
Front wheel assist tractors(4x4 tractors with smaller front than rear tyre size) run a % lead on the front axle.You specify with the tyre dealer the lead you want,they mix the tyre size to match.Basically the front tyres run slightly faster than the rears.As they are only running 4wd on soft ground(as you do with a part time 4wd vehicle) no transmission damage occurs as the tyres slip as they need to.
On a tractor the faster fronts enable much better steering with the rear diff-lock engaged,and the fronts tend to pull better when you start getting into strife.
Not suggesting its the done thing in 4x4s but could help in comp situations.
Andrew

Originally Posted by roverfj1200

NO you can not mix ratio's on a 4x4. Simply the whole drive line must run at the same speed.

In 99% of the time yes you are right

I have seen a constant 4wd (non Landy) running different dif ratios due to the different tyre diameters from front to rear.

However It was not and will never be used on a legal road or track it was a race vehicle.

Unlike Landrovers (which have very few different diff ratios) Landcruisers come (or used to anyway) with a wide variety of diff ratios - and give some very interesting performances when you inadvertently mix them. Don't try it!

John

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Unlike Landrovers (which have very few different diff ratios) Landcruisers come (or used to anyway) with a wide variety of diff ratios - and give some very interesting performances when you inadvertently mix them. Don't try it!

John

Lancrusiers rarely came with anything other than 4.11, unless your talking really early 40 series

I used to know of a bloke who fitted a 400 small block chev into a 2 dr rangie and had a ford 9" diff in the rear with 3.89 ratio, on dirt it was ok on road unless it had a 2wd conversion would have killed the transfer.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I used to know of a bloke who fitted a 400 small block chev into a 2 dr rangie and had a ford 9" diff in the rear with 3.89 ratio, on dirt it was ok on road unless it had a 2wd conversion would have killed the transfer.

I had a 9" with 3.5:1, but part time in my rangie, sold it to a bloke that ran it full time without drama, but pretty insignificant difference