1993 Hardbody 4x4 rear axle swap and interchangeability

[flyingfrog509]

I have a 93 HB D21 4x4 pickup. 4 cylinder 5 speed. It currently has the H233B rear and I installed an electric locker. Unfortunately something went very wrong and what I thought was some rear brakes needing adjustment turned out to be the axle was grinding in past the seal and that castle nut that holds the axle bearing inside the cage was kind of welded onto the axle for the first 3-4 threads.

With that said, I can't find what other year rear ends might bolt up. I can swap out the third member to keep my air locker, but the axle housing itself, what years will work? I've read 87-93 from a 4x4 will all fit (being they should be H233 axles) I already know the 2x4 axle housings are different from a junkyard run. The axle bearing cage & seals all look the same but the bolt pattern is different, the pinion to the driveshaft looks different and the axles inside the tubes are thinner where they meet the center.

I have a line on a 1997 4x4 rear end, but can't find if it will fit or not. Any help would be great!!! I just need to know what other vehicles other than a 93 4x4 have something that will work for my search.

[flyingfrog509]

I went and looked at the 1997 axle and it appears to be a H233b. Same measurement from backing plate to backing plate and same measurement center to center on the springs. Appears to have the same bolt pattern around the third member. The ABS connection looks a little different at the pinion, but that doesn't matter to me.

Still hoping someone can confidently say if this swap will work & if the center chunk will swap between the 93 & the 97 housings.

From this post, I'm starting to think it will fit right in. I know mine has 31 spline axles from my locker. I've checked cross refs for the brake pads, cylinders, soft center brake line, inner and outer bearings and they are all used both in my 93 D21 and in the 95-97 Nissan Truck. I'm thinking about going for it and reporting back if no one tells me I'm nuts.

https://www.clubfrontier.org/threads/ha ... nfo.37358/

[whomadewho]

Car- part.com. Shows 1993 - 1997 interchange. Checkout the site

[Niti QX4]

OP, what did you do?