So I recently purchased a BA XL manual ute (side style) - the open diff, while healthy, has to go. driving in the wet is difficult and I don't want to get bogged...

I would happily go with a Torsen centre in my existing diff but im not sure how easy that will be.

so I am looking for advice on whats involved with swapping in either an XR6T or XR8 rear axle

so far I think my car has a 28 Spline 3.25:1 open diff - and im looking for a 31 spline 3.45/3.73 LSD diff.

I don't think I want to bother with a cone style 28 spline LSD, I think I want clutch packs hence the 31 spline approach

so the questions:

1) Is what I have said above correct? How can I check what options my vehcile has? I have no tag on the diff...
2) My ute does not have ABS (99% sure - no light in dash but havnt locked the wheels yet) - so how do I calibrate my speedo, assuming that its signal is driven from the gearbox, not the wheels?
3) If I get an XR6T/XR8 rear axle, disc-to-disc, will it bolt right in? do I need to change anything else when going from the 28 spline to the 31 spline rear end?
4) How durable are the clutch pack diffs? will fresh oil enough or should it be rebuilt before installing it?
5) where in Tassie can I obtain such a diff and who can I take it to for a rebuild

edit: my diff has a sticker:
S/N: 0002304
3R23-4005-CC
334CC

Hey mate. Yes it’s a standard diff.

All diffs here

https://ls2lxhatch.com/documents/Dana_Diffs.xlsx

I’m actually interested in this also to be honest. But seeing as nobody has replied to ya since ya posted it back in 2017.... I don’t see anyone giving any advice to it.

I just picked up my Ute the other day and had to change out the left rear bearing assembly. What a C&$& of a job. Did it and stopped the leak and the whining.
But when I go around a right hand corner it knocks and rocks horribly .... could this be a diff issue, or possibly uni-joints ?

If I’m to change diffs, I’d like to know if I could use a LSD in mine.

Another thing I noticed is my Speedo reads 20km out .... is this a sensor change required ?

Cheers

Hi. with the "knock n rock" did it do it before you changed the bearing?

2nd. going by your list yes you can use a lsd in it.


3rd. speedo shouldn't be 20 Ks out ... is yours a ute? without ABS?. far as i know 'normally' they should be only 10% out [about 10/11 Ks at 100 kmh]. my old AU was approx 10/11 Ks out going by a speedo check on the highway. when i changed from the 3.23 to 3.45 it dropped down to close to 1 Km out [same speed check point]. the AU didn't have ABS & i didn't change the speedo drive cog in the gearbox. soon i hope to change the diff in me BA wagooon from a 3.23 to 3.45 & it has ABS so i don't believe i will have a problem re speedo?

Hey mate.
Yes it did it prior to doing the bearing. More so around right hand sharp bends.

Def 20 km out. And it’s not %ration aspected either. Strange never had a Vehicle this far out....

In old receipts, I noticed it had a sensor oil leak ans had new Oring replaced. Maybe it has the wrong sensor put in. But still strange it isn’t % related ...

Def would like a LSD

you & me both re LSD

so has it got ABS? if no ABS it may have wrong speedo cog?

sensor oil leak is not ABS sensor. i'm presuming it's engine related.

as to diff. i don't honestly know. maybe a worn centre? the diff i just had rebuilt had a badly worn centre, which surprised the diff guy as he had to show me when i picked up diff.

Well I worked out the “knock n rock” issue it’s the friggin muffler swinging sideways and knocking against the driveshaft lol. Who would have guessed ..... picked up some new rubber hangers to fit up as the 4 it uses are s**t.

I pulled the negative terminal for an hour and drained all current to see if it reset the Speedo. NOPE
Didn’t work. May be an ECU issue..: to get determined.

Hey Mate.
No it’s not got ABS.
I’ll hit up local Ford tomorrow and see what they got.
Cheers

check the speedo drive unit in the back of the gearbox is working correctly & has the correct coloured drive cog.