Hello all. I picked up John D's 89 V6 3.0 Raider last week, and took it to the trails in DV over the weekend.

Seems like there was a small crack under the rear axle that was previously repaired. I eventually managed to destroy it. Hooray! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />:


Happy Times


Patching up the small "leak" with JB Weld. HAHAHA


NO


NOOO.


Hey there's something wrong with my Raider


Anyway, I (obviously) need to swap it out with another axle, and I have a few options at the local yards.

89 Montero V6 (Pick n Pull, 15 min drive)
91 Montero V6 (Pickup, 1hr drive away)
87 Raider (unknown engine, Pick n Pull, 30 min drive)

Should all of these bolt on and work fine?? The first two Monteros have coil spring. For the Raider, will the rear axle differ between 2.6L and 3.0L models?

My mechanical knowledge is limited to the usage of a screwdriver, and my head is going to explode if I read another forum post with discussion about Gen2 swaps and 4.9 gears.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Damn!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> that's crazy!

Either V6 axle should work, I'd pick the easiest one to get. If the prices are similar.

what part of california are you in?

I know you probably need to have it drivable but the gen 2 SR axle swap will be best.

Boy, that looks VERY FAMILIAR!! Happened to me on our Sierras Rubicon Run one year. It does happen with the gen I axle housings from what I've heard overseas but not as common to see here in the States.



I replaced mine on the trail with one out of an Gen I LS but I agree... an SR axle and trailing arms would be a nearly drop in solution (will need to install the SR compressor or equivalent) and the locker switch.

Just to keep it simple..Swap in an Axle (with trailing arms) from a 96SR (or a 95 with build date after aug as stated in the door jam) if you can find one.

This will bolt in with out mods to the drive shaft. And has the gear ratio you need.

Get the entire assembly to include the trailing arms and drive shaft. We'll walk you through it. Since you have to change out the rear end anyways, you might as well do the mod since its not anymore work to install the better axle.


Just curious, were you running a rear anti-sway bar and what shocks were on the truck when the breakage occured? ( just curious about a theory I've had for a long time...

make it even easier,,,
92-94 Gen2 2 LS,,,( not the 92-93 SR . It has 4.88 gears and then you'll have to swap front gears).
3" wider
Disc brakes
LSD , 9" ring, 4.63
bolts right in and you don't need to mess with adding compressor and wiring and switch.
For a SWB all you need is the LSD, unless your doing serious rock crawling.
There's still a 95 SR sitting in a yard near me with fairly low miles on it's locker rear. San Luis Auto Salvage, SLO Town, CA. they'll ship.

Good question Justice... It's kinda hard to tell but the 2nd pic has what looks like the antisway bar but I could be wrong about that...

Remember though, John already had a broken trailing arm when I was down south doing the Miller Jeep Trail. We didn't discover it until the end of the trail but fortunately before it completely broke in two. He said he was able to get it home safe and swapped in new trailing arms. I guess it is possible we still stressed the axle housing enough from that trip to fatigue it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The truck is in a shop in Fremont in the East Bay, I will be driving down to LA (San Fernando Valley) tomorrow night.. I was trying to pick up an axle today or tomorrow morning so the guy can bolt it in while I'm gone.

Do I need to worry about whether the donor came with ABS? Going through car-part.com now to check the yards that are closer here. I can actually pass by SLO on my way down to LA tomorrow, but I will roll into town late around 11pm which might not work out.