Hey guys. So my fj60 restoration continues to be one step forward 2 steps back. I’m trying to remove my rear axle and I can’t seem to use the instructions to find the C clip and that’s when I realized my dif looks different than the photos of other fj60 diffs. I don’t know much about differentials but is this stock or maybe a an auto-locking diff? Thanks guys!
Which differential do I have?
- Thread starter seanolsen
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- #2
looks like a lunch box locker
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- #5
Stock would be a open differential, either a 3.73 or 4.10. Open differentials mostly only supply power to a single axle when under load. Yours looks to be a locker, that means it is superior to an open differential as it supplies power to both axles under load. Depending on the type of locker there may not be c clips. The axles could be retained by the four bolts that attach the brake backing plate to the axle.
Thought the 60 series still had 3.70:1 and 4.11:1 gears. This is a lunch box style locker not a limited slip. Have never seen one of these that didn't have slot to install C clips. Had a set of Lock Rights for over twenty five years. Not a fan of the clicking noise and how it locks in sharp turns on pavement.
That looks like an Aussie Locker and your c-clips are buried in there or you would have lost an axle shaft by now. You need to remove the spring and pin in the window; there will be 4 spring pin combos that need to come out. An angled dental pick works well for compressing and pulling the spring. Once the springs and pins are out you can remove the two pieces on the right side. The c-clip resides between these two pieces.
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- #14
**Pavement
If you don’t want it in your rear axle, put it in a box and next time you service the front axle put it in. Great to have in a pinch and it is not a hindrance because even if hubs are locked, you can use 2wd Low and still steer it.
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- #16
Oh ok. I can see how that would be pretty awesome on the front.
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- #18
Why? I was thinking the front would only engage when I have 4wd in. What are the negatives in the front?
Conventional wisdom is lock the back first for most benefit and less downside. Most often when you need a locker, the weight is shifted to the back (climbing a slope).
The front axle is more susceptible to breakage (birfields). A lunchbox locker in the front will make the steering much heavier (and unpredictable?) when in 4wd. If you use 4wd on road (snow and ice) I think you'll find a tendency to understeer vs. oversteer if it was in the back. The back end breaking free is one thing, having the steering axle break free???
The front axle is more susceptible to breakage (birfields). A lunchbox locker in the front will make the steering much heavier (and unpredictable?) when in 4wd. If you use 4wd on road (snow and ice) I think you'll find a tendency to understeer vs. oversteer if it was in the back. The back end breaking free is one thing, having the steering axle break free???
Conventional wisdom is lock the back first for most benefit and less downside. Most often when you need a locker, the weight is shifted to the back (climbing a slope).
The front axle is more susceptible to breakage (birfields). A lunchbox locker in the front will make the steering much heavier (and unpredictable?) when in 4wd. If you use 4wd on road (snow and ice) I think you'll find a tendency to understeer vs. oversteer if it was in the back. The back end breaking free is one thing, having the steering axle break free???
I disagree, I have a locker in two Landcruisers in the front. I think it is just as beneficial in the front as the rear, unless your climbing 45 degree slopes. if you need to steer use 2low, the steering is not gonna be “unpredictable“ as rock doc says. Unless you drive it on ice locked up.