Rear axle swap for ke55 Beams project

[bfhoovey]

Hey guys, I've got a BEAMS engine on order and hopefully should arrive in a couple of months, super excited! But I just wanted to know about swapping the rear axle. I've tried messaging a few places to see if they will swap out the diff in the current one and most places have just refused to say they do axle work ( even when some of them say they specialise in fabrication and swaps) So just just wanted to know how feasible a swap will be. I've heard the ae86 axle is pretty much the exact same length and with lots of aftermarket support, that feels like the right choice for the least amount of work (I understand I'll still have some work cut out for me, but easier than getting a an axle shortened or lengthened) or would it be better to get an older hilux axle? Would you have any idea for specific make and model? Cheers guys

[altezzaclub]

Celicas run a T-series Jap diff that would be a little wider, like the AE86, but not worth shortening.

I'd say find the lightest one, on a  small car you want the minimum weight pounding up and down in the back, its all unsprung weight. Hilux is probably the heaviest.

Small vans too, any Toyota banjo diff will likely take an LSD unit, its just Aussie-made Borge-warners that don't, as far as I know.

They will all be 30-40 year old and likely need a re-build.

Here's what I found with the KE70's Celica conversion, you'd have to cut the arm mounts off and put little leaf-spring mounts on.

https://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/65709-how-to-fit-a-celica-diff-to-a-ke70/

 

...and here is some stuff I saved in another post about diffs when I was hunting for one.

"can bolt an ae86/te71 T series 6.7" in a ke70 for instance for upgrade. tho bigger diff head needs shorter driveshaft etc

http://www.ke70.com/...x.php?t325.html

There are four different models of Toyota that are readily available that came with a t-series

corona rt104 1974-1982

corona rt132 1978-1982

celica ra40 1978-1981

celica ra60 (same as ra40 diff,however it has sway bar mounts)1982-1985

te71 disk diff measured 1400mm.

-Automatic aus-spec MA61's came with 4.1 LSD (F293)

Read the Axle Code from the vehicle indentification plate. http://forums.toymod...?t=msg&th=33561

first digit: ring gear diameter

A 138mm

B 145mm

C 6.25"

D 6.62"

E 7.1"

Second, third digits: gear ratio

Fourth digit: no of pinions, ltd slip-yes/no

Code pinions ls

2 2 no

3 2 yes

4 4 no

5 4 yes

 

 

Quote

"Model Axle Type Diff Details

 

Celica RA25 Solid Axle (coils) F313: 7.5", 3.90:1, 2 pinions, Clutch LSD

 

Stud Pattern Width Brakes

4x114.3 1365mm Drum

Edited February 3 by altezzaclub

[parrot]

You need to determine how much power you reasonably expect, and what you are going to do with the car.  There are tables with widths of various Toyota rear ends, but there is no reason why you need to stick with Toyota.  I think you will find references to skyline diffs as well, though I don't know if that's a good thing.

Shortening a diff is not as simple as you might think either.  And it will need conversion to leaf springs, plus you will want a panhard rod.  And you will need disc brakes.  The car will clearly need engineering.

And you really should look for something with an LSD or ability to swap an LSD in.

As Altezzaclub mentions you also need to try to minimise unnecessary weight.

Is a T series 6.7 inch centre / axles going to cope with what you will throw at it?  What width wheels/tyres are you planning to use.  Will you be able to fit them under the car?  Probably anything with a larger diff centre will be significantly wider than a Ke55.  Needs to be factored into overall width.  And a larger tyre footprint will place additional load on the centre & axles.

So it's complicated.  If I was you, I would consider above, then go into a diff place and tell them what you want, and see what they can build for you off the shelf.  Probably cheaper than sourcing a differential unit yourself and converting it.  Then go back to your engineer and see what they are willing to sign off.

Edited February 4 by parrot

[ToyoCoro80]

The AE86 axle is probably your best starting point given the aftermarket support, but parrot's advice about talking to a diff specialist first is solid. they might save you a lot of headache by just building you something suitable from the start.