Build Let's Baseline my new to me 1993 Land Cruiser

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Update:
Bench tested the front locker. All is well.

Got the air line and banjo fitting all hooked up.

I am now struggling to put the diff back on. I’ve done this before, but it was way easier. It’s obviously heavy, and I’m obviously weak, but besides that I cannot get the diff to seat correctly into the housing. I’m being very careful of my little air line, which seems to be well out of the way. I just cannot seem to get this third back in. I’ve been bench pressing it for like 20 minutes…

 

[Feldrian]

G, get yourself some Slinky action! Don’t listen to Matt, he bought like 4 different suspension setups before he finally got it right. Plus he boils fuel.

Exactly. Think of all the real world comparative experience I have!

 

[baldilocks]

G, get yourself some Slinky action! Don’t listen to Matt, he bought like 4 different suspension setups before he finally got it right. Plus he boils fuel.

Nah, go Dobinson for superior support.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

How the **** do I get this diff back in?!?? Am I doing something wrong or is it a very tricky fit?

 

[Feldrian]

How the f*** do I get this diff back in?!?? Am I doing something wrong or is it a very tricky fit?

It requires some jiggling and lining up the reliefs in the housing with the crown to slot in.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

I just wrestled with it again. No joy. Have to get sub-adults from school. I am so frustrated.

 

[FMC80]

You’ll get it G!

 

[baldilocks]

Is the problem mental or physical?

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

It requires some jiggling and lining up the reliefs in the housing with the crown to slot in.

ok, well I’m struggling to get it to line up. I Know it’s partly due to the fact that is so heavy and it’s awkward as can be to adjust it while I’m on my back. I can’t seem to move it incrementally enough to both have it angled correctly.

Is the problem mental or physical?

Yes.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Ok, well I’ve left the front diff alone. I’m not ready to wrestle it again. But I did bench test the rear locker and it passed fine. I scraped a few remaining bits of gasket off the rear third and it’s all ready to go in. So hopefully it is easier to slot. I’ll give it a whirl either tonight or tomorrow.

Rear locker holding air with my bench tester 3000:

 

[FMC80]

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Rear is in.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

I put the front back on the bench.

So far as I can tell I’m getting hung up on these two points:

So I guess the clearance is just really tight. My gasket is now kinda dirty from my fingers…but I have another coming from cruiser outfitters along with bearings for the rear hubs.

I think I need to remove the steering linkage or drag link (I can’t keep them straight) which is inconveniently in my way. I’m hoping that will make life easier….but not until tomorrow.

Thoughts on the slightly smudged gasket? Will it blow up my diff and HG?

 

[Feldrian]

I put the front back on the bench.View attachment 3209805
So far as I can tell I’m getting hung up on these two points:
View attachment 3209806
View attachment 3209807
So I guess the clearance is just really tight. My gasket is now kinda dirty from my fingers…but I have another coming from cruiser outfitters along with bearings for the rear hubs.

I think I need to remove the steering linkage or drag link (I can’t keep them straight) which is inconveniently in my way. I’m hoping that will make life easier….but not until tomorrow.

Thoughts on the slightly smudged gasket? Will it blow up my diff and HG?

That seems like a really odd place to be hanging up. You might have to clearance the housing a little.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

That seems like a really odd place to be hanging up. You might have to clearance the housing a little.

I’m going to remove the steering link first and then see if having it out of the way makes it easier for me to slot. If I still can’t do it then, I’ll see what’s next.

@cruiseroutfit, do y’all run into clearance issues with the front diffs? The rear went in so easily.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I’m going to remove the steering link first and then see if having it out of the way makes it easier for me to slot. If I still can’t do it then, I’ll see what’s next.

@cruiseroutfit, do y’all run into clearance issues with the front diffs? The rear went in so easily.

Not regularly but it happens. Easy enough to trim up the sides at the carrier adjusters. We often open the ring gear notch a tad bit too just to allow easier assembly with the air supply line.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Not regularly but it happens. Easy enough to trim up the sides at the carrier adjusters. We often open the ring gear notch a tad bit too just to allow easier assembly with the air supply line.

Thanks for the info.

Ok, well I will get that steering linkage out of the way and see what happens.

 

[Feldrian]

Have fun!

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

If I do go down the angle grinder road, I'll have more than a few questions. Ive never needed to grind anything that really mattered before!

 

[Feldrian]

If I do go down the angle grinder road, I'll have more than a few questions. Ive never needed to grind anything that really mattered before!

Rule 1: Remember to clean the grinder dust out of the diff housing before assembly.