I called a local differential shop to get a quote on a gear installation. After explaining that I am in the middle of an sas ('79 Waggy up front), he told me that I should also go with the rear axle off the Waggy because if I intend to drive the Rodeo hard, the rear diff will warp and destroy the gears. This is the first I've ever heard of this and wanted to know if it really is a problem, or is he misinformed?

Michael

so he told you to get the same axle you already have, but with 20 more years on it because it will hold up better? I doubt it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

It might help if you told us what axle you have or what year and model of your truck.

thats a bunch of bs... you're not going to "warp" a gearset. in fact, I can't think of any abuse you could put it through where the gears would actually warp before they'd break. you can warp an axle housing due to heavy loads, but not the gearset.

whats also funny is, with a 95.5 rodeo, your rear axle is already a D44... so what he was recommending you do is swap to the same axle to solve this supposed "warpage" problem. thats an obvisous sign he doesn't know what he's talking about.


If I were you, I'd run far far away and seek out another shop to do your install.

-Rob

Besides that - doesn't the Isuzu D-44 have a thicker ring gear than the one on the Wagoneer, making it that-much-less likely to fail?



From what I've just read - I totally agree!



Good luck - Oh yeah, and WELCOME to 4x4Wire <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

thicker? yes, to offset the numerically small carrier Isuzu uses. However, this has very little to do with actual strength as you just don't ever break one in that location. damaging teeth, yes, but the Isuzu D44 has just as much tooth/pinion contact as any other D44 out there.

yes, there are some feature differences between the waggy and isuzu d44, but stength wise, its all the same.


-Rob

Rob - I was thinking more along the lines of what that mechanic said about it warping - and how the thicker ring gear would probably completely de-bunk that notion... but I hear ya. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't know that this guy's lack of Isuzu knowledge really reflects his competency (or lack thereof) in setting up gears. I would definitely ask him why he is suggesting you swap out your D44 with another, older D44. My guess is that he had no idea what rear axle you had when making that comment. And if that's the case, then I would be taking my business elsewhere. People that blindly make suggestions that have a direct effect on my money don't deserve any of it. Either way, he's wrong... I'm just interested to know what his justification is.

He probably lacks experience with Isuzus -- that's forgiveable, since Isuzu differential rarely break. His generalizations and suggestions indicate a willingness to expound upon that which he does not know... I recommend that you find a vendor who is more open-minded with hom to work.

Randii

agreed. i certainly don't expect everyone I come across to have an indepth knowledge of Isuzu vehicles... but the part that has me the most concern isn't his D44 recommendation, but that he is selling the idea of a gearset "warping". if he truly means the gears themselves and not the axle housing, shafts, or anything else that was miscommunicated... then thats just plain crazy. it doesn't matter what axle we are talking about, gears don't warp.

-Rob