g6civcx

Note: I use standard Nissan terminology as outlined by the FSM for consistency. Nissan's terminology may not line up with industry standard. If there is any confusion, please ask me.

Please note that this is a tutorial and not a step-by-step how-to. I will assume that you have the knowledge of a Nissan factory-trained technician regarding such things as how to remove a diff, how to disassemble the diff carrier and install an aftermarket LSD, etc.

Therefore, I will only provide general guidance on the modifications required to perform this swap. The remaining details may be found at numerous sources, including this forum. If you find that I left something out, that's why.

As always, please feel free to ask me if you have any specific question.
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High-power S-chassis owners will find that the stock 4.083 rear diff ratio to be intolerable. The next closest rear end available from Nissan is 3.5. So if you find that 3.5 is still not adequate for you, this tutorial will guide you through how to install a Pathfinder R200 3.133 diff

Guys with highly modified engines, such as V8, Supra engines, high power RBs, etc., should read this guide very carefully.

The benefit with this swap is that you will be able to use all of your stock parts with very minimal modifications to the diff internals and chassis.

In my experience, the stock R200 diff can withstand up to about 500-600 ft-lbs for drag applications with slicks, and maybe a little more for roadracing applications.

If you're consistently putting down over 700+ ft-lbs, I recommend going to something bigger like an R230.

This is explicitly for an S13 with open diff. Other models may vary slightly but the general details will be the same. Modify the instructions to your own specific application as needed.

Parts needed:

* I will assume you have a fully functional S-chassis (S13/S14), including propeller shaft (connecting the gearbox to the diff), a stock R200 diff (open or VLSD), stock driveshafts (connecting the diff to the wheels), and everything is mounted to the stock subframe. Basically you have a stock-spec S-chassis drivetrain.

* You need an R200 from 2004-2007 Pathfinder 2WD. These come with VLSD and 3.133 ratio. The 2008 Pathfinder also has this R200 diff, but be aware that the '08 model also comes with R230 diff so it's easy to buy the wrong diff. Better to stick with 2004-2007 Pathfinder 2WD to be sure. Buy the whole diff from the companion flange to the side flanges. It's easy for the junkyard to remove the propeller shaft, the driveshafts, and drop the entire diff for you. Don't cheap out. Buy the whole thing.

* Buy an aftermarket LSD for your car based on the stock diff you have. I have an S13 open diff. I bought a Tomei 2-way for S13 open diff. Buy whatever LSD you want for whatever diff is on your car.


This is some shots of what mine and what yours should look like.

To the untrained eye, this looks like just any other S13 diff:


Looking closer, you still can't really tell the difference:


The driveshafts also look stock. These are the stock 6-bolt driveshafts:




The propeller shaft also look stock (other than the 1-piece design). For all intensive purposes, this is the stock propeller shaft.



The S-chassis diff and the Pathfinder diff look very very similar, and for all intensive purposes, they are the same. They have the same exterior dimensions. Both are about 11" from front to rear:


There is one HUGE difference. The Pathfinder 3.133 pinion is much bigger than the S-chassis 4.083 pinion. So Nissan made the Pathfinder carrier a bit larger to accomodate:


As such, trying to put the Pathfinder 3.133 pinion into the S-chassis carrier won't work. You need to use the Pathfinder carrier.

This picture is what's left after the swap is complete. Everything on the left is Pathfinder, and everything on the right is S-chassis:


I'll go through and discuss the swap with reference to the FSM:



Swap procedures:

1. Make absolutely sure that you have the right Pathfinder diff. The ratio should be 3.133. Rotate the companion flange and count the number of rotation of the side flanges for each revolution. It should be close to 3 revolutions and change.

2. Check the oil seals (front and side flanges) on the Pathfinder diff. Sometimes these diff sit in the junkyard exposed to the elements for long periods of time. If your oil seals are bad, replace them now while the diff is out of the car.

3. Go ahead and open the rear cover on the Pathfinder diff. Save the magnetic drain plug for use as the S-chassis filler plug (to help trap metal particles). The Pathfinder cover will not be re-used.

4. Remove the side flanges and bearing caps on the Pathfinder diff and make sure you don't mix up the left and right. Also make sure you keep track of the correct up/down orientation of the bearing caps for re-use. You will not re-use the 5-bolt side flanges.

5. Remove the differential assembly with ring gear attached. Make sure you mark the left and right side bearing outer races.

6. Remove the ring gear from the diff and don't lose any ring gear bolts. You will not re-use the diff.

7. Inspect what's left of the Pathfinder diff carrier very carefully. Assuming that your Pathfinder diff is good to go, you can start disassembling the S-chassis diff.

8. Follow the steps outlined in the FSM, remove the propeller shaft, the driveshafts from the side flanges, the cover nuts, and drop the entire diff from the car.

9. Remove the S-chassis diff cover. You will re-use this on the Pathfinder diff carrier.

10. Remove the S-chassis side flanges. You will re-use these. Don't mix up left and right.

11. Everything else left on the S-chassis need not be reused, but keep them sorted in case you need to.

12. Now open your new 1.5/2-way LSD and inspect verything. You will notice that when you try to line up your LSD with the Pathfinder ring gear, the LSD bolt holes are too small. This is because the Pathfinder uses 13mm ring gear bolts while the S-chassis uses 12mm ring gear bolts. You will need to carefully enlarge the holes on the LSD to accept the 13mm ring gear bolts.

13. Install the LSD with enlarged ring gear bolt holes onto the Pathfinder ring gear.

14. Install the asembly into the Pathfinder carrier with the correct side bearings, bearing races, and outer races from the S-chassis. This step you will perform as you would for any LSD installation. The only difference is you're installing the LSD onto a Pathfinder ring and carrier. If you have problems with the races then you will have to get custom parts. I didn't need to because my S-chassis parts fit correctly. Check the side bearing preload and install shims as per the FSM as you would if you were installing into an S-car.

15. Reinstall the Pathfinder bearing caps. Note that these are assembled at the factory and should be reinstalled in the correct left/right arrangement. If you have problems with this step make absolutely sure you're install the bearing caps correctly. If not, you will need to find another set or get your bearing caps custom fitted. I didn't have to because the Pathfinder bearing caps fit correctly.

16. Install the S-car side flanges and check anything that you would normally check with an LSD installation, like backlash, etc.

17. Install the S-car diff cover onto the Pathfinder carrier and apply silicone. Fill with LSD fluid to the filler plug and you're ready to reinstall the carrier back into your car.

18. Everything should bolt in just like a stock diff, with the exception that if you have an S13, you will need longer bolts for the ears. The S13 uses a solid diff mount and the s14/Pathfinder use a bushing that will require longer bolts. Alternatively, you can also go with the aftermarket solid diff mounts sold on this forum.

19. Bolt up everything, do a final check, and go for your test drive.

20. Enjoy your 3.133 rear end!!!


I hope this was helpful to everyone. I spent a lot of time on this swap and you guys benefit from my mistakes.

Please let me know if you find anything wrong, or if I overlooked something important.

DreamN

Good write up. Curious to know if the shop you ordered the vlsd from ever give you a refund of some sort.

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g6civcx

Thanks for the praise.

As for the shop, he did try to offer me something but it wasn't worth my time to haggle with him. There were a lot of factors in this deal and there was no way for me to come out ahead regardless if I were right or wrong.

So I let it go and do the best I can with what I had.

gottdeskrieges

Thanks bro for all the help....I think this is the best upgrade for someone that needs the ability to use 1st and 2nd gear with high hp/trq numbers.

Jeremiah

hybrid DET

Not sure how accurate this thread is. I've looked at and taken apart three different pathfinder diffs and none of their ring and pinions will fit in the s13 diff.

If anyone else has some insight to share about a lower final drive, please let me know. Thanks.

jr_ss

That's because you fail at reading at looking at pictures. You dont use the S13 diff housing, you have to use the Pathfinder housing because of the bigger pinion gear. This isn't a bolt in affair, reread the instructions, then say "oh, I'm a dumbass"...

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hybrid DET

Let me clarify, I have tried it both ways. The s13 diff will not work in the pathfinder carrier as the bearing spacing is much wider in the pathfinder carrier. Also the spacing of the pathfinder's mounting ears is much wider so it will not bolt into the S-subframe.

If you try it in reverse, installing the pathfinder's ring and pinion into the S chassis you run into all sorts of issues. Primarily the pinion gear shaft diameter is much wider and its bearing has a different taper which will not allow it to work in the S carrier.

Have you done this ring and pinion swap before?

hybrid DET

After doing a lot of research, the diff and final drive pictured in this thread is from a Y32 Nissan Gloria. Although it shares the numerical FD ratio of 3.133 as the pathfinder, the pathfinder's carrier, ring, and pinion are extremly different. The pathfinder carrier, ring, and pinion are huge in comparison to the standard S chassis R200. I have purchased three different pathfinder rear ends to see if this would work and it will not. Please do not try it.

If you really want a 3.133 final drive, you have to get the carrier, ring and pinion from the Y32 Gloria. This is what I had to do to have an R200 with a 3.133 ratio.

...and JR_SS, no need to be such an asshole next time.

chevyboy91188

hybrid is right I just got a pathfinder diff today (i didnt read his comments before) the pathfinder diff would need a good amount of subframe changing to fit in the exact location. and it is an open diff not a vlsd like mentioned in the OP. luckily the yard i got it from doesnt have a restocking fee

itwillboost

Excellent write up man, now just need to get the parts.

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chevyboy91188

I think you missed the last two posts it does not work the pathfinder diff is just like the 350z for mounting so unless you want to cut up your sub frame it will not work. do not Terry it. if you get the diff hybrid mentions then out will work but the pathfinder will not bolt right in.

itwillboost

Fail, thank you.

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240sxrb30

Where can I find a y32 rear end at and which year model.

NEOS13

hello I am French



240sxrb30 because as I can not find a diff gloria Y32 good you have to give me address?? thank you

NEOS13

up

person is or are found ???

NEOS13

HELP !!!

b4l

can someone help me i need to know what kinda of diff i have i know its a r200 but need to know more info so i can install it on my car thanks how it is right now so i can plz help

jr_ss

Really man... You have a search bar or google. Turn one axle stub, does the other turn the same way or the opposite. Research something, damn.

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b4l

did you read my post i put that its a r200 diff what does that tell you

b4l

i did nevermind the diff is already installed. if i did not search then how did i find this post.

jr_ss

You searched, found the first query and asked a question, rather than doing more research when your first attempt did not yield any answers.

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b4l

no first came up fron nicoclub on googel this comes up first now since there is activity you put that not seeing that this is a old post you probably cant even help me out anyways im just trying to find out if my diff is a 300zx tt or something else. i found this and others by looking up my numbers on my crank case but noting solid on this question only giving gear ratios and how to on diffs that are similar but not the onei have.

The Dude

300zx tt is an R230. It would help to know what kind of fucking car your diff came from....???

Why did you not figure this out before you bought/installed it?

b4l

the diff came with the car. a friend of mine told me r32 another told me its a 300zxtt crank case says 38311 40f00 5 bolt halfs

i took my frame off sandblasted it as well as my other aftermarket suspension parts and treated it then paint with clear just want to find out what diff it is before i put it back in so i can know what it can take with my fully built sr20

The Dude

Unless you're making 700-800whp you probably don't have anything to worry about.

b4l

http://zilvia.net/f/sale-items/48958...ms-451whp.html

i plan on a biger turbo and also aem water meth once it gets shiped to me like next week

40flash

If you have not figured out what diff you have, Pm me with a picture and I may be able to identify.
I have just finished swapping a 350Z/G35 diff into my S14. I bought a pathfinder diff and returned it when I found out it was not a limited slip as I was told at the wrecking yard. There were no other pathfinder diffs available locally so I opted for the 350Z/G35 unit. Having both at the house, I can say with certainly the 350Z, G35 and 2005 & later Pathfinder cases are identical in size and shape. They DO NOT bolt into the S14 sub-frame. I have included a link to a site that explains how to modify the S14 sub-frame to bolt any of these three diffs into your car. He took very good pictures of the modifications also.
Wrecked Magazine – Dennis » Blog Archive » 350z Differential Install into a 240sx

Be sure to read the comments below the pictures where I detail what options you have for axle and hub combinations.

Ler56oy

but need to know more info so i

Vetal

After reading this thread, do I get it right that we need not Pathfinder diff but Gloria Y32 diff??

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Sindre83

A Really helpful post, but to bad all the images are gone now when viewing in 2016.