CFS Diff Gears/Highway Gears

[pingus]

Hey guys, new to the forum and first post.

Ive recently bought a 1974 Bedford CFS, 3 owner car. has the original bill of sale,  warranty and motor!!!!

Specs:
1974 Bedford CFS
original 173 red motor
second hand 3 speed gearbox

anyway, I'm setting to head of around australia and have read as much as i can on highway diffs etc...

but as ive never messed with a bedford or even bothered with diffs in the past i still have a few questions id love to have answered!

1. Which diff is even in her?
2. Can I just swap the centre out or have custom gears made? (not to keen on replacing the whole rear end)
3. I think id rather buy the celica box and bell houseing setup up, but here aint no way I'm putting a new hole in the floor for the gear stick. I don't think a welded extension will hold up haha. is there any way around this? because like i said, this is preferably what id like to do.
4. is there any other setup or gearing that isnt impossible to come across thatll help my gearing problem?

Appreciate any help!!

ps. money isnt a worry, I understand the costs and am more willing to pay!!

[LS120]

if you can find a cresta diff they fit into the bedford housing else a better way is get a holden centre cut and weld and then you have all sorts of gearing to play with.

[wendyh]

Hey Pingus welcome to the bedford way of life in an awesome kinda way 
Its nice to see another bedford being looked after too!
Warning there are infectious,  and love attention haha.... so its nice to hear you your willing to pay ....do you do the work yourself?  As that helps keep costs down. .especially if its a daily driver  or traveling.
Any pictures?  All the bugas love pics, no matter what condition!
Are you changing gear box and engine?
Keep us posted on you progress.
Im on page five in the gallery if you want to see our resto.
Cheers wendy & Ray

[Hobbit]

Hi pingus, welcome.

You could use a remote gear shifter (cables or linkages) to the Celica box. The diff ratio is the main problem, not the gearbox.

Yeah, a Cresta diff works. My van has a Borg Warner 3.5:1 diff centre in the Bedford housing.

Cheers.

[john]

research needed here, bedford axle splines do not match borgwarner side gears, so you need to source these. and if you want lsd, the cones will need to match also. going borgwarner gives you 2.77  3.08  3.23  3.45  all the way to 4.11 ratio plus lsd or truetrac etc, also disc or drum brakes and parts readibly available. this may seem a simple conversion but theres more to it but well worth it, this is this biggest driveability improvement you can do to a bedford.

[bed767]

just swap the diff for a standard holden Salisbury diff, with ratio choices 2.6 up to4.44 :1. Wheels from standard 14x8 up to 15x10" all within legal limits

[john]

i think jack mcnamara diffs in melbourne used to supply these side gears for bedford axle splines to graft borgwarner centre into bedford   03 95552213 

[Sammy027]

Hey bed767, is a Salisbury diff suitable for a direct swap out for standard bedford diff? As in tailshaft length, spring hangers? Thanks

[bed767]

I did my swap a while back but you remove the spring blocks off the Bedford diff then set up the holden in its place. welded on, you will find the "ubolts"outer ones needs to be stitch welded to the housing as it sits on the taper of the bearing.The tailshaft needs to have a holden uj 2030 uni fitted then balanced and the length checked at same time ,best done by a tailshaft mob.

[rumax]

I have a 3.23 diff for a single wheel cf... come and have a look and make an offer!
located Adelaide southern suburbs.