04 Pathfinder Rear differential on 97 Pathfinder

[AR97Pathfinder]

Hello everyone, the differential on my 97 Pathfinder with 220k miles has been humming for a few years now on the highway. Is it possible to swap over the 3rd member from an 04 Pathfinder? I am wondering if I can simply swap the 3rd member from the 04 Pathfinder into the differential housing on my 97 Pathfinder? 

 

Thank you 

[Slartibartfast]

AFAIK it should swap right in, provided the gear ratios are the same (check the data plate in the engine bay).

[AR97Pathfinder]

I checked the data plate and I have an HG46, and the 04 Pathfinder has an HG43. I'm assuming that will not work. 

[Slartibartfast]

Nope, not unless you swap the front diff too, and most people who swap ratios are going the other way.

[AR97Pathfinder]

Okay, thank you. If I were to get a HG46 differential from an Xterra or Frontier, would that swap right in without any issues? 

[Slartibartfast]

Looks like it. Hawairish's LSD thread says the early X or Fronty LSD has the best stock breakaway torque of the 33-spline H233Bs, so keep an eye out for that if you have/want an LSD.

[hawairish]

1 hour ago, AR97Pathfinder said:

Okay, thank you. If I were to get a HG46 differential from an Xterra or Frontier, would that swap right in without any issues? 

Yes, provided it's late 00-04 Frontier or 00-04 Xterra.  99 and early 00 Frontiers had 31-spline diffs and slightly different 4.625 ratios.  96-00 Pathfinders and the years I mentioned are 33-spline and had 4.636 available.  01-04 Pathfinders were only 4.363 ratios.

 

All of those year 3rd members will bolt in, it's just the different ratios and splines to be aware of.  And of course if you want (or want to keep) an LSD unit.