Gear ratio's for 97 Hardbody 2wd and 4wd?

[gt]

Hi, I'm new to this site, and I'm thinking about replacing my kingcab's 2wd rear axle assembly with a 4wd's, to reduce the ratio, for better towing, and bring my truck up some. Does anyone know those gear ratios for the 2wd and 4wd ?Yeh, I know, I'm NUTS!..
Modified by gt at 1:46 PM 2/14/2007

[Big-Bird]

Welcome the NICO forums GT!

I know the 4WD have 4.363 if it has a standard transmission

and it has 4.636 gears if it has an auto transmission.

I think there were a few early model D21's that also had 4.11's

Later model Xterra's and Frontiers have also been know to have 4.88's

If you are changing gears in the rear, you may also need to swap axles too.

Not sure about the outer axle bearings but seems to me I recall they are the same for 2WD and 4WD.

[gt]

Thanks for your reply! It's GREAT to have a place to get info! To further clarify, I'm planning on changing out the complete rear axle assembly. I know I'll have to measure drive shafts,ect, to see that everything is the same--or not! Drive shaft mods are ok with me. I realize I'll be higher off the ground( I'm in Mississippi---so that's a GOOD thing). I'm also planning on cranking up my torsion bars(height again) to try to equal the rear..... ..Would you happen to know the gearing on the 2wd????? My truck is a 4cyl 5spd.......... My purpose is to get lower gearing, for towing.( 4 wheelerin the truck, and generator on the trailer). I reckon (southern talk) I'll have to figure tire diameter too. Thanks for your help!!!........greg


Modified by gt at 7:30 AM 2/6/2007

[Desert Rat]

You'll have some issues simply swapping axles including spring over vs. spring under, different E-brake assemblies between 4x4 and 4x2 models, and different axle widths.

The 2wd truck will have something around a 3.54:1 ratio in an H190 rear axle, wheras 96-97 4x4 hardbodies will have 4.625 in a much larger 31 spline 4 spider H233B rear.

Early 720's were the only 4x4 Nissans (Datsuns) to use an H190 rear, and even those switched over to the larger C200 somewhere around 1983 or 84. Hardbody V6 trucks, as well as the 4 banger models for 96-97 had H233B's, and the earlier 4 banger HB's had C200's.

As you know, your 2wd truck is spring under axle, and the 4x4's are spring over. You can get an H233B with spring perches configured for spring under out of an Xterra or Frontier desert runner, but it will be about 4" wider than your current rear axle. I would imagine the 4x4 HB axle is also a bit wider than what you have. Frontier/Xterra axles are 33 spline units with slightly larger shafts, 2 spider diffs, and 4.636 or 4.90 ratios. Axle gear ratios can be identified on Nissan trucks by looking at the door jamb build sticker and identifying the axle code:

For example:

HG35 - H190 with 3.54 gearsHG37 - H190 with 3.7 gearsHG43 - H233B with 4.375 gearsHG46 - H233B with 4.625 (up to 1999), or 4.636 gears (2000+)HG49 - H233B with 4.900 gears.CA41 - C200 with 4.10 gearsCA46 - C200 with 4.625 gears.

That said, the perches should be close, and you could likely bolt in the 4x4 HB axle into your truck in a spring over configuration. You will need a new end on your driveshaft, as the mounting holes on the DS flange are larger on the H233B than they are on the H190. The downside is that this will lift the back of your truck 5-6" and aside from going with one of the fancy high dollar Fabtech or similar drop spindle lifts in the front, you won't be able to match that ride height in front and your truck will sit very tail high.

Lower gears are available for the H190 diff you have from companies like Automotive Customizers, but the H190 doesn't lend itself well to gearing changes due to a lack of adjustment in the carrier.

1998-2000 2wd Frontiers also used the H190 rear axle, but with a slightly lower 3.7:1 ratio. You might scavenge the yards to see if you can find a 3rd member from one of those - it'll bolt right into your existing axle housing using your existing shafts.

[gt]

Thank you Desret Rat! Your knowledge about this stuff is fantastic! I went out at lunch, and I do have the HG35..3.54's, and I understand what your saying about the swap. You mentioned that the "HB V6 trucks, as well as the 4 banger models for 96-97 had H233B's, and the ealier 4 banger HB's had C200's."....Were these units you just mentioned, all 4wd's(or 2wd) with spring over? Re-mounting the spring perches should not pose a major problem. (taking many mearsurements, grinding and rewelding), but I don't need to go a "bunch" wider...I still want to fit in the body. Are any of those assemblies about the right width? And are any of those the right drive shaft yoke? Once I can get this info in my "thick head", then I can make a decission on what to do next!.....thanks......greg

[Big-Bird]

DR knows crud loads more about the gearing than anyone else I have ever heard from.

Good to know you're on our side DR!

[Desert Rat]

BigBird, there's an axle writeup on our site that I'd be happy to share provided I was credited for it, but I would prefer it be linked rather than copied. Let me know if the admins are cool with that, and you can sticky the link. You learn a lot rebuilding trucks, doing lockers, gears, and solid axle conversions.

As for the question of spring configuration on 4x4's, yes, all were spring over axle, and to go to an SUA configuration, you'd need to remove the existing perches and reweld new ones on the bottom of the axle. Just be sure to get your pinion angle right...it should be roughly on a parallel plane with the transmission output.

[Desert Rat]

Something else as an FYI, the number on the diffs (H190, H233B, C200, etc) indicates the ring gear size in milmeters.

Do the math on the H233B and you'll find that sucker has a large 9 1/4" ring gear....Even the C200 is equivelent in size to a Dana 44.

H190's are crap and are really only worthwhile in completely stock configurations.

[gt]

I "REALLY" appreciate everyone's help and input !! Now I can make some informed choices 'cause now I know WAY more than I did a few days ago! Like what I can do "reasonably", and what I SHOULDN'T do !! Thanks to everyone!.........greg

[gt]

MODERATOR EDIT:

I COMBINED THE 2 THREADS ON THIS TOPIC BECAUSE THEY BELONG TOGETHER. Please try and keep topics like this one together. It makes doing searches so much more effective. Thanks! BB

I had asked about my 97 HB and rear axle assembly swaps....my neighbor has a 97 HB, 2wd, 4 banger, but with an automatic......his axle code is: HF 41. Would that be a 4.10 gear? Could I assume that an axle like his would probably be a "bolt up"?? thanks.....greg

[Desert Rat]

Yes and probably, assuming that other axle is also an H190, which I'm near certain it would be. Just compare the diffs. An H233B looks similar, but has a considerably larger pumpkin, but short of a 1 ton model (rare in the states), H233B's didn't make it into 2wd D21's.

Even easier would be to simply swap in the 3rd member to your existing housing. That way you keep your existing brakes, shafts, and housing. This is about a 90 minute job. You would have to rebleed the brakes when you're done since you'd have to unbolt the brake lines and pull the axle shafts out just far enough that they come out of the carrier. You can feel this when you pull it apart. Just 4 bolts on each end.

[gt]

Thanks for your repley....but....maybe I'm missing something...You mentioned just pulling out the 3rd member. My rear axle assembly has an inspection cover in the rear by which you can access the ring and pinion. Are you referring to the style that are kinda like the older chevy and ford "chunck styles"---pull the axles, unhook the drive shaft, and unbolt the "chunk" from the front of the axle assembly?? It looks like on mine, I'd have to pull the rear inspection cover, pull the axles, remeve the carrier assembly, then pull the pinion out of the housing??I must be missing something!....please enlighten me!!....thanks.....greg

[Desert Rat]

That's interesting....that would mean you have a C200 under there....I wasn't aware those were ever used on a 2wd HB, but there's all kinds of oddballs out there, i guess. Are you sure it has a removable cover on the back? Is it an 8 bolt cover?

What's your doorjamb sticker say?

Regarding a removable 3rd, yes, you can just drop the chunk out like on a Ford 9". The H190 and H233B axles are both configured this way, as are Toyota axles.

[gt]

Just went out and looked at my truck....yes an 8 bolt inspection cover.the door sticker says:

TRANS.....FS5W71CAXLE.......HF 35ENGINE...KA 24 2389CC

My neighbor's 97 auomatic says : AXLE...HF 41 What do you think?.....greg

[Desert Rat]

Have you owned the truck since it was new? Is it possible someone before you swapped rears already?

Did you look to see if it still had a drop out 3rd member?

That axle code is not consistent with a C200 axle - the only axle that Nissan has with a removable rear cover. C200's are designated with the code 'CA'

How about your neighbor's truck...does it have the removable cover too?

I've never seen a 2wd HB with a C200, but I'm going to start looking at them closer.

[gt]

I'm the second owner...don't think anything was ever swapped out. Mine does not have a "drop out" 3rd member, for sure. I'll have to take a look at my neighbor's this evevning (Tues), and let you know what I find.?????????????????????????????????????????????......later.......greg

[partyboy6971]

if you go with the 4x4 axle you could do the opposite of whta people with fullsizse 4x4's do and flip the shackle so it is pointed up from the frame with the spring above. and then make shackles to the length for the ride height you want.

[gt]

Thanks, I'll look at that!

[gt]

OK! Looked at my neighbors truck( 97 HB 4 cyl auto, HF 41 axle)His is a "chunk" style, and has 10 bolts holding it in. Tried measuring, the best I could, and it appears that the distance from the center of the axle to the driveshaft mount is the same, and I believe that the drive shaft mounts have the same spacing in thier bolt pattern too! So, I don't know WHAT may have been swapped out, or originally installed! I found out I could buy the whole rear axle assembly at the bone yard for $175....so I'm thinking ---go buy the complete assembly from the automatic version, but DEFINITELY first take measurements, plus count the gear ratio!.........Please, what's your thoughts?