Diff Ratio's

[mezzmo]

Ok guys and gals - this man needs a lot of help and some good sound advice! this is my dilemma:

I currently own 3 x V8's - i dont want another one
I do not need a wheel spinning, rubber burning screaming drag machine
I did purchase a VN commodore to put the running gear into my 76 Beddie
I want to drive my van pleasure and all around "Funness" -
I am seriously reconsidering fiting the VN and contemplating keeping the good ol 173
I figure the 173 has worked its ring off for over 30 years and still goes
The transmission is smoothe and more than adequate for my needs
It is on gas so i like the 6 cyl / gas / savings combination!

But.................

Has anyone got a 173  / 179  / 186  out there that drives without screaming its tits off? if so, what is your diff? how do i get one?? Who do i contact?? What size do i need?? Can i send the current one away to get redone?? can you tell me how to do it? Is it worth keeping? blah blah Blah

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Many thanks!

Mezz

P.S - my Van is no where near ready but i'm going to the nats in my 58 Corvette - can i come and park and play near you guys?

[ben]

as long as you dont drive a transit.. sure you can.


its been the biggest dilema of every bedford owner id say..

the diff!!


options..

a celica 5 speed, giving you a built in overdrive 5th gear getting your revs down a reasonalbe amount. (probably cheapest option i think)

an external overdrive that i only just recently was told that this is what they had on em back in pommie land which is a electronic overdrive controlled by a switch. so if you flick it on then all your gears go into a high ratio.. turn it off and its what you got now.
i recon one of these would be flippen brilliant!!!


or diff mod, so a new centre grafted into your diff..

find a second hand hwy diff in a bedford (the mod already done)

or the widest diff you can find with the ratio you want.. and some really deep dish rims to still keep it looking nice.


all expensive.
-celica 5 speed i recon you may get out of it for $500 if you hunt around and pick stuff up at good price.
-external overdrive ivve been told about $2,000
-diff mod ive herd stories of people getting out of it for about $1500
- second hand hwy diff should be able to get one for $500 or maybe even cheaper
- 9 inch or something wide ah i would not bother cause you gunna put too much strain on your bearings if you want to fill out flares as well..

cheers
ben

[Worzel]

I have a 186 red with yella terra and extractors on gas and a trimatic with a 3.5 borg-warner diff center and bedford axles.
Will sit on 130, and only slowly overheat. sit on 110 all day
It lacks a bit in grunt but makes up in economy.
The diff cost $1800 and i supplied the bedford stubs and wheel bearings and planetary gears, so $2200 or more from scratch

If you can get a vauxhaul cresta center it will fit inside the bedford diff, but good luck finding one.
A few other older diffs will fit, but i'd go discs on the front so match the front and back

[Worzel]

Go have a chat to Jeff at Jack McNamara Diff Specialists, He made heaps of them in the eighties and he's down your way
9555 2213
25 Levanswell Road, Morrabin

[mezzmo]

Thanks guys, i think i'll give Jeff a ring, sounds like a great place to start thanks for the heads up Worzel, i'll keep you all up to date on the progress.

Mezz

[Bas NZ]

I have a 202 worked, Trimatic with overdrive (switch type) and a 3.5 rear end. STATS_ take off good/ not great but good power, top end 110+ no problems, with overdrive on 125+ but does not like hills with overdrive on.  Flip of the coin, tryed this, standard Bedford diff (4.1?) Take off unreal runs out at 80km switch on overdrive good to 130km with no problems sits on nice rev's. But I run the first because It's on LPG real good, I get real good k's to the litre. As with the second option people think I have a 8 under the bonnet but is very hungy.  Hpoe this helps.

[westy12]

gday mezz i still think the cheapest option would be to convert a holden diff to fit under your bedford.. they are cheap and u can choose your ratio.  theres heaps of threads on this but i think the hq-z one tonner salisbury diff is the widest but u could get a banjo like mine which is even cheaper but u would have to find wheels to fit (deep offset) or get some made like i did. if u know someone who welds u can change the spring and shock mounts yourself... too easy!! if not u could still get it all done for under a grand. hope this helps mater... luke (this is assuming u already have hq stud pattern! if not and u have mags already then that makes it harder!!! next job... disk brakes!!)

[ben]

you havent had any drama with chewing out wheel bearings cause of extra wide rims?

bro so spewen you didnt make it to the nats.. nexxt time!!

ben

[bunger64]

Hey fellas if you looking for a great diff use a ford AU Ute or wagon v8 choose your diff ratios its wider than vn commodore has disc brakes and a single cable for hand brake  and you will have to change your master to suit disc rear i have done 4 conversions so far and all are very happy

[restoreid]

Hey Bunger this is the rout im'e going to take did you put spacers on & use standard ford wheels 7 what master cylinder did you use cheers Reid