Swapping Armada diffs for better performance?

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Clay350
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Swapping Armada diffs for better performance?

Postby Clay350 » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:59 am

I know our V8 pathfinders share the same diffs as the armadas. I am so annoyed with our tall diff ratios that the pathfinder V8 has. The Armada 4X4 has a 3.3 ratio while we have a 2.93 I believe. Thats a significant difference. Has anyone ever swapped these gears?
Last edited by Clay350 on Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:54 am, edited 1 time in total.


skinny2
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Postby skinny2 » Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:41 am

How do the transmission gears compare between the two?

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:18 pm

You could also swap from a V6 pathy then if I follow your logic, 3.35:1.

Do you have 4x4?

t

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Clay350
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Postby Clay350 » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:12 am

I believe the V6 pathfinder has a different diff altogether. The V8 has a heavier diff used in the Armada.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:47 am

I'm pretty sure the only difference is the gearing. The driveshafts and propeller shafts are the exact same. One would think the driveshaft would have to be a different length to accomodate a unique differential....

t

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Postby Frozen » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:14 pm

disallow wrote:I'm pretty sure the only difference is the gearing. The driveshafts and propeller shafts are the exact same. One would think the driveshaft would have to be a different length to accomodate a unique differential....

t
The drive shafts are different but bolt up the same way. And the prop shafts are different, because the armada has different hubs.

You can swap armada diffs with pathfinder diffs as long as you just the V8 path prop shafts.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:19 pm

Sorry for the lack of clarity. I was referring to the difference between V6 and V8 pathfinders. The propeller shafts and driveshafts ar the same. I'm pretty sure the 'pumpkin' is only geared differently, and there is no other difference.

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Clay350
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Postby Clay350 » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:36 pm

Can someone chime in who knows for sure on this? Can I swap out my gears with a pathfinder V6 or would it have to be an armada?

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RacerZX
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Postby RacerZX » Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:52 pm

The 2008 FSM is on the website now if somebody wants to go PDF diving, it should have the spec on the V6 and V8 diffs in there...

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Touchdown
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Postby Touchdown » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:30 pm

I was looking at air lockers recently. And someone stated on another forum somewhere, that the only difference between the V6 & V8 was the stronger front diff in the V8 which is shared with the Titan. V6 (R180) and V8 (M205). I believe the rears are the same.
I also read that some of the hardcore off-road guys were switching to the M205 as a direct bolt-on for the R51.

Just stuff I've been reading recently...I'm certainly not an authority.
I hope this helps!

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Postby Frozen » Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:17 pm

The V8 pathfinder has a M205, the same as the Armada. The V6 pathfinder has a different front diff.

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Postby skinny2 » Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:59 am

Might seem obvious but I've seen it missed....make sure you re-gear the front diff to match the rear!

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rragpaoa
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Postby rragpaoa » Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:26 pm

Clay350 wrote:Can someone chime in who knows for sure on this? Can I swap out my gears with a pathfinder V6 or would it have to be an armada?
Hey Clay350

I haven't been on here for a while due to my new business venture, however, link here for everything you are looking for from an old thread of mine:

http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=2558

The V8 has the same front M205 AND rear R230 diffs as the Armada. I swapped out the 2.94 to the 3.357 without issues. Went with 34 inch tires and ARB air locked rear. It's my DD and Expedition vehicle. I know Marc at ARB in WA and the front M205 locker should be available end of 2012 or beginning 2013. Both the R230 and M205 can be swapped out with the V6. Direct bolt-on. You only need to buy the axle shafts from from the V8 Pathie. This is a great Expedition vehicle overall in size, comfort, and capability.
I too was thinking about the Landcriuser, but no regrets since my Pathie has gone everywhere my buddies with Jeeps and Toyota FJ's has gone.. really!
Good luck.

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Clay350
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Postby Clay350 » Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:45 am

That really is an impressive rig. You must have spent a lot of time on that. So from what I have read It looks like I will be able to bolt in a set of Armada 3.36 frint and rear. Now I just need to find a willing shop and someone who wants to switch!

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rragpaoa
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Postby rragpaoa » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:11 am

I haven't spent too much time. I had a local shop install the gears when they had it open to install the ARB locker.

Get the ring & piyons at the junk yard. Here in San Diego, there were a few 3.357 Armadas at the junk yard. Fairly easy to find.

If you are doing the swap, might as well install the locker in there while the pumpkins are open.


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