Dr.Nelson Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 (my question is towards the bottom)So I'm new to the Nissan world and interchangeable parts. I've been a mechanic for 25 years and 20 of those were at a Ford dealership. I've learned the ins and outs of Fords (older Fords) I picked up this 1990 SE V6 from my daughter for $700 with a box of parts (manual hubs, steering and suspension parts) all new.I love how comfortable the veh is inside and out (the ride) I hate the slush box for a trans! So this Sunday I'm heading out of town to haul home a parts rig to convert mine to a gear box. She has 245k miles on her and I need a reliable transmission.This will be for a commute veh. daily driver . I drive 30 miles to work each day. In the winter months I've been called in late at night to work on plow trucks so 4x4 is needed.After 5 speed conversation the next will be a TDI install.... So to my question. What taller gears are available for the front of my WD21?What is my front differential? What other gears can I find in a wrecking yard to change them out?By taller I mean lower numerically. I'd love to have some 3.50 gears! It has factory 4.65 gears. At 70mph my little TDI will be tached out:-(And I really want a posi (LSD) I know mine is not a posi.Thanks in advance for all your info on this little jem!Dusty Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djeffrey Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 According to my 1992 service manual, the VG30E 4x4 came with 4.625 in manny tranny, and a 4.375 in the slush box tranny. Rear diff is a H233B, front is a R200A. The manual also mentions gear ratios for the KA24E, Front Diff is a R180A and with the rear being a C200. This model used a 4.111 gear. Hope this helps, that is about all I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjotrainbrain Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 Finding taller gears for the front end is going to be difficult, they never really made many varieties OEM and all the aftermarket ones I know of (and those are very rare) are lower. Your best bet would probably be to source gears from overseas from an Pathy that was originally a diesel, it may not be as high as you'd like but it'll be at least better matched for the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 This maybe stupid but will the gears from a C200 work in a R200A? Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 (edited) I don't know, but if they do, it would open up all kinds of options (assuming you could find a four-cylinder WD21 to get the rear axle from). If anyone on here knows about the gears it's probably @hawairish. You might also check Ratsun to see what those guys are running for axles and where they get their gears. What's your target for cruising RPM at 70 with the TDI? If you can get anywhere close to the right ballpark with 4.3s, I'd be inclined to keep the stronger axle and avoid the scavenger hunt. Keep in mind though that fifth gear in the manual is about a 0.8:1 overdrive (the '95 manual says 0.862, the '97 says 0.811.) The autotragic's 4th gear is 0.694, so if you're not happy with your cruising RPM in overdrive with the slushbox, looks like you're gonna like it even less with the manual. To find an LSD H233B, look for a big orange sticker on the back of the pumpkin that says LSD oil only. I don't know what those stickers were made of, but the one on my '95 outlived the frame. Definitely get a build thread going when you start the TDI swap, I don't think I've seen that done on one of these yet. Edit: This might help too, though it doesn't answer the question of whether R200 and C200 gears will interchange. Edit again: Actually it does! Helps to actually read stuff, I guess. Quote C200 and R200A gears ARE INTERCHANGEABLE. Yes, the same part numbers are used for the same ratios in the Nismo catalog for both diffs. Edited July 17, 2019 by Slartibartfast 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 My target rpm is 2k-2.2k at 70mph Right now with 235-75-R15 4.3 gears and tranny final drive ratio .68 the VG30 runs 2.9k at 70 mphSo to achieve 2K rpm at 70mph I think I'll need 3.5 gears.When I converted my 2005 Jetta from a slush box to gear box I couldn't find the correct Diesel trans axle. So I used a 2.0 L gas trans axle put 3.83 ring and pinion and 5th gear .77 that gave me a final 2.4k rpm at 70 and 3.0k rpm at 80mph.... Way to high at 80mph but great at 70mph. I don't remember the tire size. I was on a road trip through Montana running the 2005 TDI, running it that high that long made it rattle the next day on start up.Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawairish Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 R200A and C200 gears are the same, excluding the R50 R200A versions. The note above mentions the NISMO gears, but the same was true for OE parts. I want to say there were 4.11 options in some oddball C200 axles found in Hardbody and Frontier trucks, but I’d have to dig around to be sure. Some Frontiers would have R200A+C200 setups, but the C200 did also appear in 2WD 4cyl AT Frontiers, but were 4.375. Notably, older Nissan AWD/RWD cars had R200 rear diffs, and I believe I’ve seen some guys swapping truck gears into their diffs with only trivial changes to pinion bearings perhaps. The cars would surely have 3.x ratios. That gets you the front gears, but still leaves you out of luck unless you are willing to swap in another rear axle. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djeffrey Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 What TDI engine are you hoping to swap in? The one that came in the diesel pathys or are you thinking of using a VW ALH 1.9 or somthing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 I want an ALH VW they are so much easier to tune/tweek. The BEW VW is spendy to tweek less options for turbos and injectorsSent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djeffrey Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 I agree, I have a 2001 jetta with 340,000 miles, I like the engine a lot. Seems that with a tune, tubo and injectors you will be well over the HP and torque of our pathfinders even with a VG33. What is your plan for a transmission? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 I'm not sure of the model number but the donor veh is a 1991 (manual transmission) I'm going to pick it up this Sunday.Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 I had no luck at the bone yard yesterday looking for H233 3.54 gears. If I knew a model and year of veh they came in I could do a more complete search on the internet. Does anyone know the year and model of a Nissan that came factory with an H233 3.54 ratio? Oh and a year and model for factory 31 spline LSD (posi) H233?ThanksDusty Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawairish Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 3 hours ago, Dr.Nelson said: I had no luck at the bone yard yesterday looking for H233 3.54 gears. If I knew a model and year of veh they came in I could do a more complete search on the internet. Does anyone know the year and model of a Nissan that came factory with an H233 3.54 ratio? Oh and a year and model for factory 31 spline LSD (posi) H233? Thanks Dusty Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Sorry, I should’ve clarified: you won’t find anything below 4.375 in an H233B axle. There are 5 OE ratios (4.375, 4.363, 4.625, 4.636, and 4.900) and 5.13/5.14 aftermarket options. My answer was geared toward finding gears for the R200=C200 question in the sub-4:1 range, with the requirement that you’d need another diff in the rear in order to match them. That all said...it’s a lot of work. You can pull 31-spline LSDs from just about any WD21 Pathfinder or D21 Hardbody with the H233B. I believe the were more common in SE trucks, some XE. Easiest way to tell is by looking at the back of the diff and finding an orange sticker indicating “LSD Oil Only” or similar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 Sorry, I should’ve clarified: you won’t find anything below 4.375 in an H233B axle. There are 5 OE ratios (4.375, 4.363, 4.625, 4.636, and 4.900) and 5.13/5.14 aftermarket options. My answer was geared toward finding gears for the R200=C200 question in the sub-4:1 range, with the requirement that you’d need another diff in the rear in order to match them. That all said...it’s a lot of work. You can pull 31-spline LSDs from just about any WD21 Pathfinder or D21 Hardbody with the H233B. I believe the were more common in SE trucks, some XE. Easiest way to tell is by looking at the back of the diff and finding an orange sticker indicating “LSD Oil Only” or similar. Thank you for clarifying that for me... I'll pull in the search party! LOL! Well that's mildly upsetting cause just found a ring and pinion for the front out of a 1994 Infinity Q45 for $125 plus shipping... Well the more I dig the more it looks like I'm going to Ford 9" and 44 front narrowed. Man that's going to be a lot of work and it will lift it with the custom SAS. Oh well it will make for easier to a find a posi and gear selection will be better!Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djeffrey Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 So how are you gonna attatch the ALH to the Nissan trans? Is there someone that makes an adapter plate? Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 https://tdconversions.com/nissanThis is the first time I've posted a link so I hope it works!? This is my plan!Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 18, 2019 Author Share Posted July 18, 2019 https://tdconversions.com/nissanThis is the first time I've posted a link so I hope it works!? This is my plan!Sent from my moto g(6) using TapatalkIt looks pretty simple! I may have to modify the oil pan to clear the front diff...I found a forum somewhere a guy put a TDI in a Xterra he had to chop the pan all up and make a weird deep offset sump and pick up tube... I hope it's not that complicated for me!Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawairish Posted July 18, 2019 Share Posted July 18, 2019 3 hours ago, Dr.Nelson said: Well the more I dig the more it looks like I'm going to Ford 9" and 44 front narrowed. Man that's going to be a lot of work and it will lift it with the custom SAS. Oh well it will make for easier to a find a posi and gear selection will be better! That was gonna be my next suggestion, lol. 1 hour ago, Dr.Nelson said: It looks pretty simple! I may have to modify the oil pan to clear the front diff... I found a forum somewhere a guy put a TDI in a Xterra he had to chop the pan all up and make a weird deep offset sump and pick up tube... I hope it's not that complicated for me! Considering the frame and engine are very similar to an Xterra (aka WD22), you might run into the same problem, unless you SAS it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 22, 2019 Author Share Posted July 22, 2019 I got my parts rig yesterday... It's not that bad! I think I'm going to put the TDI and SAS in the parts rig! The body is a little rough the kid cut the fenders out. but it will be a lot less work and I can drive the red one till I'm done. The gold/tan one has a rear disc diff. If someone is interested I will be selling it. I'm going to cut all the suspension brackets off for the 9" Ford housing.I found an awesome video on how to do shorten and install the brackets in the same place and the factory brackets!Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to attach the YouTube link. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djeffrey Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Awesome!!! You should be able to copy and paste the link here, it may not play on the page but at least we can navigate to the video.Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Nelson Posted July 22, 2019 Author Share Posted July 22, 2019 DIY 9"Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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