4.78 (4.77) 3rd members!!!!! Diff Gears

[LittleBeast]

So I got my 4.78 (or 4.77 if you do not round up) in the mail. Much thanks goes to Mike (WiSDoM) for helping me find them. I got the rear for $225, and the front for $100. Shipping was around $40 each. They are at the ring and pinion place getting set up right now. I have already ordered the 6 bolt flange connector for the front from St Charles Isuzu because I didn't feel like tearing my VX apart yet to get the new ones set up and ready to go. Just wanted to share with the forum my excitement about being this close to better acceleration and performance and hopefully a little better gas mileage post lift and tires.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_067.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_072.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_073.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_075.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_074.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_076.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_077.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/3-6-09_078.jpg

[AlaskaVX]

Damn, I thought you might have found some for sale or something. I am still looking for the rear gears I believe. Can't remember if I need front or rear gears but I have one in the shed. I gave up after a lot of searching (a year ago) maybe its time to start the search again.

[nfpgasmask]

So what did these come out of?

Nice, can't wait to hear about the results.

Bart

[Triathlete]

Lockers? or are you leaving them open?

[pbkid]

nice! congrats...

i think we are all a little jealous ;)

[LittleBeast]

Lockers? or are you leaving them open?

Since I only wheel under 10x a year as it is I will probably leave them open.

[tomdietrying]

Ryan, those are going to be sweet when you install them. Looking forward to it.
Peace.
Tom

[CoastieCosta567]

what do you really gain? goor for offroad/ or better? better accelaration, by how much or what diffrence can you feel? They look sweet though, sweet find.

[tomdietrying]

When you put on bigger tires, your VX becomes sluggish due to the extra weight/size. The 4.77 gears brings your VX back to how it was with stock tires. It should help a bit with you MPG too.
Peace.
Tom

[twistedsymphony]

wont you be losing the Limited Slip functionality though?

[taylorRichie]

Very cool!!! I would recommend an LSD, or aussie though... After watching Justin struggle with his 4.77's ;)

[LittleBeast]

I think I will either have the old LSD out of mine put into the new 3rd members, or buy the Aussie locker for the rear.

Will the stock LSD from our VX fit in the new 4.78 3rd member?

Are our front gears open from the factory?

The ring and pinion place says that the front 3rd are in such good shape I should not need to have them rebuilt so, I am thinking about just having the LSD taken from the stock gears and put into the new 4.78's, and leaving the front alone, any thoughts?

Is the clicking you get from the Aussie lockers annoying? Or do you just hearing it when you turn? Should I just get that for the back and leave the front open?

I just found this on the Aussie website:
Front Axle Installations
The installation manual provided with your Aussie Locker contains information on proper front axle installations. The Aussie Locker works well in front axles for 4 Wheel Drive vehicles when they are installed in a vehicle with locking hubs or those equipped with front axle disconnect.

Under no circumstances should the Aussie Locker be installed in the front of a full- time 4 wheel drive vehicle.

To prevent damage to the drive line no four wheel drive vehicle should be driven on the highway with the front hubs locked and the 4 wheel drive engaged. The Aussie Locker in the front differential of a 4 wheel drive vehicle (excepting full-time 4WD), properly equipped and installed, provides dramatic off road traction and very good on-highway handling.

So could I still put the aussie locker in the rear, or should I just swap out the LSD? And should I even have the front rebuilt, the guy at the ring and pinion place says it looks fine. Rebuild = $200 and parts for rebuild from Indy4x = $200. Is $400 worth a rebuild I probably don't need? I am already spending $200 (rebuild) + $200 (parts) on rear to just keep the LSD in the rear. hmmmm....

[tom4bren]

Ryan,

I'm not an expert on axles (actually I only know enough to be dangerous).

3rd members are usually considered bulletproof & will outlast any vehicle they are mounted on. There are exceptions but you should be fine without rebuilding the front unit.

I don't think that the LSD is a component that can be removed from the 3rd member. It's how the unit functions. I don't think that you will be able to transfer the capability to the new unit.

I've never owned a locking differential but from what I've heard, the clicking is noticable but not irritating.

By all means, believe what you read. A locking differential should never be used in the front unless you have locking hubs. Even if the unit could survive dry pavement useage, your steering would be unmanageable and probably even dangerous (i.e., go straight when you tried to turn). It's the nature of the beast.

[Triathlete]

Aussie in the rear is fine for daily use you just have to adjust your driving style when cornering. As for the front I would highly recomend a selectable locker for a road driven VX. Engage it when needed and turn it off when not needed. The only available locker for the VX front 10 bolt is the ARB. They are a little pricey but probably one of the best/strongest on the market. Todd Adams has one on his VX I believe and can give you more info. Also Grandpa Bob and Swordy had the ARB's in front.

[LittleBeast]

Ok I just talked to Matt at Indy4x and I am having the rear 4.77 rebuilt with the stock LSD from the VX, and then just having the stock 6 bolt flange from the front 3rd member put on the front 4.77. Mike (WiSDoM) did find one of the LSD for the front for me from a Impulse Turbo, but I decided against it because the part was $125 and the labor to install would be $200 and with shipping and all I am looking at close to $400 for a LSD front end that I probably don't really need, and am not sure how much I would like it. Thanks for all the help though.