[Juicerider]

Does anybody know who makes new ring and pinion gears to fit a Vitara, or where I can get them from. I can’t find any new ones for sale on line, and beakers yards here in Perth charge like wounded bulls for an old set, that’s as old as the one I want to replace.
Also has anybody had any experience using solid spacers between the pinion bearings? Would be keen to know what you used and how it worked out.

[Joe]

Suzistore in midland got me a new rear 5.12 ring & pinon in for me from Japan $580, or if ya going bigger tyres zookoffroad sell gears too suit for about the same price but obviously you'll spend double the money for two diffs

[Juicerider]

Joe wrote:

Suzistore in midland got me a new rear 5.12 ring & pinon in for me from Japan $580, or if ya going bigger tyres zookoffroad sell gears too suit for about the same price but obviously you'll spend double the money for two diffs

Thanks Joe I’ll talk to them on Monday

[Gwagensteve]

My understanding (jono165, who isn't on here often now can confirm) is a Hilux solid spacer kit works, but requires exactly 5.00mm machined off of it. These kits are available from Lowrange offroad (the 4 cylinder version is the applicable part AFAIK)

https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyota- ... nd-v6.html

I had a workshop make a solid spacer for my Sierra many years ago, and I never had an issue with pinion seal failure or loss of preload in the years I ran it with 35's.

As for reusing gears- if they've come from a diff with good bearings/no pinion play and pass a visual inspection, there's no issue putting them into a rebuilt diff. It makes no sense to pay huge money for new ring and pinion gears with the same ratio as those commonly found locally. Most Vitaras have only been used lightly on road so gear wear isn't a significant issue. If they've been low on oil (about the only problem) you'll see pitting on the gear teeth.

[Joe]

I've had shit luck with second hand diffs that's why I bought new gears

[rexhunta]

There's a local wrecker in Bunbury that seems to get a bunch of good Vitaras. We stripped 4 diffs and all where in great condition.

[Juicerider]

Thanks for all the advice. After trying to find a reasonable priced ring gear and pinion I bit the bullet and ordered one from Japan. Thanks for link to the Toyota spacer upgrade, I do like the idea of using a solid spacer.

[jono165]

Gwagensteve wrote:

My understanding (jono165, who isn't on here often now can confirm) is a Hilux solid spacer kit works, but requires exactly 5.00mm machined off of it. These kits are available from Lowrange offroad (the 4 cylinder version is the applicable part AFAIK)

https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyota- ... nd-v6.html

I had a workshop make a solid spacer for my Sierra many years ago, and I never had an issue with pinion seal failure or loss of preload in the years I ran it with 35's.

As for reusing gears- if they've come from a diff with good bearings/no pinion play and pass a visual inspection, there's no issue putting them into a rebuilt diff. It makes no sense to pay huge money for new ring and pinion gears with the same ratio as those commonly found locally. Most Vitaras have only been used lightly on road so gear wear isn't a significant issue. If they've been low on oil (about the only problem) you'll see pitting on the gear teeth.

I still check in here occasionally - low range has made it easier since I did a solid spacer on my sierra.

They now make a solid spacer that is already the correct length for a suzuki diff.

https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki- ... x-sps.html

[Juicerider]

Yeah I ordered two solid spacers from low range earlier this week. I'll let you ok now how they work out