ron,

both front and rear axleshafts are the same. they are 1.07" diameter and 26 spline for model years 94-97 and 28 spline for 98-03 or 04, whenever they officially quit making it.

i will take some measurements, but not tonight,maybe during the week, but most likely it will have to wait until at least this saturday. i don't have precise measuring tools, so a tape measure or Harbor Freight plastic calipers may be the best i can do. need to get some real calipers and such. anyway, i'll be in touch.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the reply. I do have a set of front axles so I can make those measurements fairly accurately. I can't measure anything else without disabling the truck.

Some of the RX-7s are 26 spline x 27mm and some are 28 spline.

Hopefully this will work without getting new axles.

I cross referenced the ring and pinion part numbers and the Sportage rear axle has the same number as the RX-7 with the exception of gear ratios. The front had the same number as a Miata with the exception of gear ratios. To me it looks like the axles are from Mazda, not Toyota. Iv'e read were the Mazda guys use Sportage gears to lower thier gear ratio. I think any limited slip that would fit in these cars should work in a Sportage, I just don't have the money to find ont yet.
Dennis

Dennis, Uhhhhhhhh just weld it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Or How about Unimog outers = gear reduction = <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Sorry = just the Freek in me coming out. But would actually be easyer than what Dave & I have done. You could still keep all the suspension as is. What do ya think about 6" more clearance? And Lower gear Ratio? Just a thought <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Unfortunatly Unimog portal reduction gear will also reverse the rotation of the wheels so you will only have one speed forward and 5 (or 4) speeds in reverse.

Besides, I already have a vehicle with reduction hubs anyway, my Pinzgauer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

not if you flip the diff.

here's what you do, get a ford 9" flip it, use dremel to make ioling passages, etc. cut the last 8-10" off each side, weld-on commonly available MOG portal brackets and buy some MOG portals and bolt them on, oh, and don't forget to get your 9" shafts cut and splined to fit. Superior, moser and dutchman all do this. cost can reach 3k if not careful, or more, if built by someone like Currie. with a flipped diff, the axle will drive backward, but the Portal ends will reverse the direction. not sure if all MOG portals actually reverse the drive though, some portals do, some don't. either way, i'd never stick with IFS and use portals, it defeats the purpose of spending the money on portal boxes. just thought about this- our diff can prolly be flipped too, then you can easily build a front steering axle out of a rear and some portals!

Dave - I believe there was a very informative thread at Pirate 4x4 fairly recently in the Mercedes Unimog section (within a couple of months ago) that covered this exact subject. Might want to do a quick check in the Unimog section (I would advise against a search - too many threads... - just look under the Mog section and browse. Can't remember what it was under...

Excuse my ignorance, but why isn't the solution here to find some way of importing the diffs from scrapped European (or some Canadian?) Sportys into the US?

Admittedly freight charges might be expensive <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

when i get a good cash flow going, i will be picking up salvage parts all the time. it's my plan, but just need some time to implement it.

Does anybody for sure know what the diameter of the splines on the newer 28 spline axle is? Is it the same as the 26 spline axle or is it larger? (I am hoping ~29mm)

Thanks