FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

im putting vn diff in fe was told when you cut it down you take the current short axle and put on opposite side so it becomes the new long axle with out modifing axle is this correct?  Any info on how to modify this would be good or details of someone in vic who can do modifications can some one with basic welding skills carry this out and can a standard machine shop shorten and respline axle or does it need to be specialist?

I cut mine down and had to get the long one re splined so its the short one and a billet one made for the long side.


Find a specialist if you are not confident.


Pete

I got mine from Transdiff. In a EH the long gets shortened to be the short axle and the short becomes the long. The problem with doing it yourself is making sure it is strait after the welding, otherwise wheel bearings wont run true and same with the diff bearings.

I got mine done by Geelong Differentials. They put the short axle on the long side and put a F**d 9 inch axle restudded to Commodore pattern on the short side. Cheers, Jack

hey mate i have been told that a hilux diff fits in
i have a modified vn diff in mine done by aussie diff on the gold coast
i would try the hilux before i did this conversion next time

I just made some diff BKTS for a member that fitted a hilux diff.
But depending on your engine gearbox combo  all hilux manual diffs are way up in the high 4,s for ratios.
If you could find a auto petrol diff it would be in the 3,s.

You would have to weld up axle flanges and re index and drill the stud pattern of your choice i have done this before and it would be a lot easier than doing a vn diff.

A lot of rotary and gemini people run these diffs as they are pretty strong???

If you want to keep the same stud pattern just run a disc brake earlly volvo they are apparently the same pattern and width but the downside is the handbrake runs off the disc which doesnt really hold that well?

There are other options nissan pintara isnt far off the right width and being a borg warner you can name what ratio you want to run they go from low 2,s to mid 4,s standard i think they were 3.8 to 1

Pete

im running v6 and 5spd  have whole car and thought i would use the diff out of car am changing to commodore stud pattern any way not sure what ratio diff is havent picked car up yet hopefully this weekend

It will be a 3.08 ratio most likely.

we just shortened a vs diff into fc wagon
cut 70mm off long axle, resplined
works well and put 14 inch 235's right under lip of back guards
look good in the narrow wagon,being shortened and with wider wheels
gives you 3.08 ratio too, setting up the handbrake is tricky especially if you want it off the dash like original

Dancin Dave

Any photos of the handbrake setup? ;D

Regards

Craig D

Hi does anyone know where i can get vn diff made to fit fc wagon in sydney area
Thanks Gordon

CRAFT Diffs in Merylands ....FC427....

Gday Dave

Was wondering of you have any photos of your handbrake setup?

Thanks

Craig

Craig, I  have done this conversion with original hand brake and also centre pull hand brake what is it that you need to know [will get you some pictures but not till next week ]....FC427....

FC427

I am returning to the original setup at the front.

I am mainly chasing the details from the front handbrake cable back.

I have seen some photos of the rear handbrake cable and lever but would certainly look at any other photos as well. The more the better.

Regards

Craig

Well well well you learn something every day i wasn't aware the vn diff was offset to have a long axle and a shorty ???
Cheers.
Deano

They all have 1 offset axle...


Pete

Anybody no a good place for diff work on the Gold Coast??

by doing the short axle for long swap how wide does the diff become, same as standard FE/FC bit wider or narrower ?

Id say its wider but the offset of the chasers or commodore rims brings the rims in have a look at pedro,s post.

centre becomes offset but it should not matter as the angle is offset up and down so why would width sideways matter.

It would annoy me knowing its offset but so i have done the new axle thing.

I didn't know that either.
Do you mean ALL VN diffs, all Commodores, or what?  ???

Cheers,
Gaz.

All Borg Warner Ford and Holden  all 9'' and 8''  also Mopar dayna diffs  all have a short and long .....FC427.....

Thanks FC427,

Well, well, well.
I never knew that. Even though I've owned heaps of Commodores from 1978 to now.
So would I be right in assuming that Commodores from VN (or when?) all have BW diffs?
Sorry to appear an ignoramus, but I haven't had any cause to climb under my Commodores since about 1986.
But I COULD probably change a "grey" diff blindfolded on a moonless night with one arm in a sling and a bellyfull of XXXX! ;D

Cheers,
Gaz.

Commodore use Borg Warner  ;D as well as F##d and Chrysler and even the good old Centura is a BW  and can be upgraded to 28 spline hemisphere and axles .....FC427......

Sorry didnt specify drinking and typing dont mix.
Commodores from VL onwards as VK earlier had  10 bolt type arrangment not %100 but they are different.

Also skylines R31 and pintara

im sure theres heaps more just cannot remeber.

Pete

Hi, this is an extract of what I have posted on the FBEK forum which may be of help.

Attached is some details of the modification I will be making to a VN diff to suit my FB.

There is much information on this forum about this but what is often missing is the relationship between the wheel offset and the resultant track.
This will use 2 short side axles and cutting of one side of the diff housing to suit.

It shows
- FB diff and standard track with 6p offset wheels
- VN standard diff, VN track with 43p offset wheels (Commodore standard)
- VN diff shortened to suit FB track with 43p offset wheels

I will post some picture of the actual modification when the sparks start to fly and some details of some other modification including brakes etc.
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l524/fbidek/VnDiffMods2.jpg)


http://s1122.photobucket.com/albums/l524/fbidek/?action=view&current=VnDiffMods2.jpg

  As mentioned before.          Aussie Diffs can shorten, re-build or provide advice on your project. They shortened my VS Diff & removed everything not required for my FC Ute.
                   
            Aussie Diffs   Currumbin  Qld   0755983144   Ask for Greg.

    They supplied RH Axle
            splined LH Axle
            2x rear wheel bearing kits
            supplied & fitted 1 set of pinion bearings
                                   1 set of carrier bearings
                                   1 pinion oil seal
                                  re-set carrier unit
                                   de-burred the cup set.
            Runs like a bought one... no dramas
                                                     Good Luck.  Old-Blu

FC 427

Did you get a chance to look for the photos of the handbrake setup?

Cheers

Craig

Thanks for the reminder I will get them in the next day or 2 ....FC427......

Just to give some details of the diff and rims I have used to get this one up and running. Donor was VN V8 BW Diff. Mods done by Geoff at Profab in Toowoomba.

I am running Cragar Eliminators 15x7 with 100mm back space and currently trialling 225 60 r 15.

From flange to flange without disc rotors on length was 1390mm.

Fully assembled this allows about 20mm between inner guard and the tyre and approx 30 mm between outer guard (top) and tyre.

Hope this helps.

Cheers Craig

FC 427

Did you have time to put any photos toegther yet.

Sorry if I sound pushy. ;) ;) ;D

Cheers

Craig D

I took some shots but they came up pretty sad will up load them for now with a bit of a description till I can get better ones .....FC427.....

(http://[img])(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/FC427/IMG_2708.jpg)(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/FC427/IMG_2713.jpg)(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/FC427/IMG_2714.jpg)(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii234/FC427/IMG_2716.jpg)[/img]
The first shot only shows the rear gear box mount with the fixing point I used the original FC upper and lower wheels then an EH front mount and an EH front cable could not get a good shot as the car was parked in right up against a brick wall with cars all around the other shots show a centre pull type again very poor detail need to jack both cars up to get good shots will try again on Thursday ......FC427......