J30 Diff users; good price? anything else needed to install?

Post by **RedSubdivisions** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:35 pm

Well, I'm getting ready to buy a J30 diff (1995), but I wanna know if 280-300 dollars is a fair deal? I also plan to install it myself, so for the ones who have swapped it out, is it a direct bolt in with no mods (besides the rear cover, of course) or do I have to buy washers and longer bolts as suggested on KA24DEvelopment?? I'm seeing two things and I'm confused.

Post by **ag240** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:48 pm

Bump for you because im doing the same thing and I are cunfuzed

Post by **tctomasc** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:50 pm

I think I am about to get one of these tomorrow but I am not sure. If it turns out to be the same infiniti lsd as the one you guys are getting then you will need the axles as well.

I just can't remember the name the guy told me. It might have been Q45?

Post by **Kckouki** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:52 pm

Mine was a direct bolt in, and I got mine for waaaaay cheaper then that. hahaLike $250 cheaper

Post by **Ali 556** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:30 pm

RedSubdivisions wrote:Well, I'm getting ready to buy a J30 diff (1995), but I wanna know if 280-300 dollars is a fair deal? I also plan to install it myself, so for the ones who have swapped it out, is it a direct bolt in with no mods (besides the rear cover, of course) or do I have to buy washers and longer bolts as suggested on KA24DEvelopment?? I'm seeing two things and I'm confused.

My Bro Is In S.A,TX And He Found A 95 J30 Diff + AXELS (you don't need'em for S14) For 45$+25 For The Axels...

Please Don't Be A Fan Boy And Pay 300$ For VLSD....Hell Kaaz Are Like 600 BRAND NEW..

Post by **ag240** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:35 pm

For clarification, On the s13:

I can get a j30 lsd and directly bolt it on (with the rear cover from the s13) to the axles, right? Can the diff from the Q45 be used for this application as well?

S14 need the axles also?

i feel stupid

Post by **bassboost** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:53 am

I just did this swap last weekend...

I have an S13, and I took the VLSD out of a 1996 Inifiniti J30. This diff had the six bolt setup for the shafts and the only thing that needed swapped was the diff cover and the 2 bolts near the front of the diff, because the stock S13 bolts aren't long enough. Other than that it was a direct bolt in job

However, I'm not sure of the years, but on earlier model J30's they had a 5 bolt setup on the shafts, so I'm assuming the shafts also needed purchased? Someone can chime in on this if they want to clarify what I said...

Just a quick search "J30 VLSD":

zerothread?id=266530

Should answer any questions asked

Post by **spindrift187** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:34 am

Imagine that, searched and found it haha

I wouldn't pay more than $200 for the diff however.

Post by **Warped161** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:58 am

i did this a long time ago on my s13, the output shafts are the same. you will need: large washer's, the bolts from the j30 and dont forget to get the abs sensor

Post by **RedSubdivisions** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:22 am

spindrift187 wrote:Imagine that, searched and found it haha

I wouldn't pay more than $200 for the diff however.

Yeah, but 280-300 means shipped as well. I forgot to add that. oops.

Post by **tctomasc** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:23 am

Now I just got my diff,and it looks nothing like the pics you posted. I'm wondering if someone could tell me what I have. Its a 4:10 ratio, 0202012 is stamped on bottom. on top is stamped 38311 and under that is 40f00. 5 bolts to axles, 4 to the shaft. will that fit without getting new axles?

Post by **Cone Junky** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:31 am

I pulled a j30 diff from the junkyard for $60. It was from a 96, so it was a direct bolt in, especially since I removed it myself and got the mounting bolts too.

I believe 95's have a 5 bolt axle flange, so you'll need the axles too.

I wouldn't pay that much, but what's expensive is relative...

Post by **tramp_drift240** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:36 am

^ very sad that i dont have junkyards near me.

i need to make a trip back to VA.

Post by **CRIPES** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:00 am

Cone Junky wrote:I pulled a j30 diff from the junkyard for $60. It was from a 96, so it was a direct bolt in, especially since I removed it myself and got the mounting bolts too.

I believe 95's have a 5 bolt axle flange, so you'll need the axles too.

I wouldn't pay that much, but what's expensive is relative...

mine is from a late 94 and it has 6 bolt.

late 94 and up have 6 bolt

Post by **240marcuSX** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:08 am

I sold my J30 vlsd for $180 picked up.

just swap the rear covers and you should be good.

Post by **tctomasc** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:15 am

So I need axles or do i just need the cover? Or both

Post by **Nacho_240** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:28 am

CRIPES wrote:
mine is from a late 94 and it has 6 bolt.

late 94 and up have 6 bolt

From what I've read, it was the 95 and newer j30's that had the 6-bolt output shafts. Earlier models had the 5-bolt.

tctomasc wrote:Now I just got my diff,and it looks nothing like the pics you posted. I'm wondering if someone could tell me what I have. Its a 4:10 ratio, 0202012 is stamped on bottom. on top is stamped 38311 and under that is 40f00. 5 bolts to axles, 4 to the shaft. will that fit without getting new axles?

your car more than likely has the 6-bolt setup so it won't bolt on to your diff. First possible solution is to get 5-bolt axles from a z32 300zx, 94' or OLDER j30 or r32 skyline (not 100% sure about this one yet, but I'll find out by next week when I try them out).

Second possible solution would be to find a pair of VLSD 6-bolt output shafts from a 95' or NEWER j30 or possibly a VLSD equipped s13. The shafts from an open diff will not work for your diff.

I would suggest the first solution simply because the 5-bolt pattern is sturdier than the 6-bolt and also because nobody is going to seperate the output shafts when trying to get rid of a diff.

Post by **tctomasc** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:35 am

I have a 95 240. I am at work right now, and am kinda too busy to get it on the lift atm, but at 3 I will get it up in the air and find out I guess. I'll let you guys know what I find.

Update:

I need axles :'(.

On car. 3 sets of 2 bolts

the new diff.

So switching outputs would not be the best idea especially if i plan on a spirited sr20?
Modified by tctomasc at 3:48 PM 8/6/2008

Post by **CRIPES** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:38 am

right. but i pulled mine from a 94 J30, so they must have changed it mid-year.

Post by **iitywygms** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:47 am

All the info in one place.

http://www.ka24development.com/vlsd.html

Post by **timster** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:01 am

If it makes you feel better the 5 bolt axles are stronger. There's a perk to needing new ones.

Post by **SketchyRollin564** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:15 am

Im so confused, i thought 5 bolt was the one that fits on the 240? Or is it different on the s14 and s13?

dude i know will sell me a 5bolt with 55k miles on it for $100 because he ended up welding his diff so now he doesnt need it'

edit: nvm, i just jacked up my rear end and its 6 bolt

Gaysey was the one who told me i needed the 5 bolt... that explains why im misinformed
Modified by SketchyRollin564 at 3:00 PM 8/7/2008

Post by **RedSubdivisions** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:44 am

iitywygms wrote:All the info in one place.

http://www.ka24development.com/vlsd.html

Right, I got that. but I'm seeing one thing on one website (KA24DEvelopment) and something different on another (NICO).

Post by **CRIPES** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:06 am

RedSubdivisions wrote:
Right, I got that. but I'm seeing one thing on one website (KA24DEvelopment) and something different on another (NICO).

j30's came w/ 5 and 6 bolt patterns.. 240's came with 6 bolt patterns.. if you use the j30 diff w 5 bolt you'll have to swap your axles out with the j30.. if you use the 6 bolt j30 diff it will bolt directly.. 6 bolt j30 diff's were on half year 94's and all 95 and up.

according to the dealer ALL j30 diff's cam with VLSD.

Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:12 am

is it just me or does 200+ for a damn used J30 diff sound like a lot! Hell, you can get used Nismo 2-ways for a couple hundred more....

fyi, I bought my J30 diff for less than $70 (w/ axels)

Post by **CRIPES** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:15 am

adrians_s13 wrote:is it just me or does 200+ for a damn used J30 diff sound like a lot! Hell, you can get used Nismo 2-ways for a couple hundred more....

fyi, I bought my J30 diff for less than $70 (w/ axels)

yes. i got mine for $60

Post by **Dattebayo** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:22 am

This thread fails. There is plenty of info about this if you search and are patient. I know if you search under my name specifically there will be no mis-information about what you need for the swap.

And I also SWEAR by the fact you need the ABS driveshaft to do this properly. Old U-joints in the standard driveshaft will not tolerate the stretch from the ABS-equipped longer nose of the J30 diffy for very long if you beat on it at all.

Post by **Tulsa_S-13** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:37 am

Everything you really need to know for this swap can be found here:

http://www.ka24development.com/vlsd.html

If you have a non-ABS 240sx then it WILL be a tight squeeze on your driveshaft. Plan to change your rear seal often if you don't have a shortened driveshaft.

As for going prices, the typical J30 VLSD can be had with axles for around $150-200. Why even bother with paying $80+ for shipping when you could just find one locally and not have to worry about that BS.

I bought a J30 VLSD where I live for $150 with axles. I needed the axles for my R32 VLSD and was able to turn around and sell the VLSD without axles for $150. Free axles for me!

Post by **SketchyRollin564** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:29 am

http://www.ka24development.com/vlsd.html its saying you can swap the guts from the j30 vlsd into your open diff if you wanna keep the stock ratio

im guessing this is a good way to get around needing a new driveshaft too?

this is directly from the site at the bottom of the page

To overcome the .75" extra length at the nose of the diff you can:

1) Install it and see if your driveshaft and tranny mounts have enough play to soak up the extra length.

2) Get a driveshaft from an ABS equipped 240SX...it's .75" inch shorter.

You can also swap the VLSD "guts" into your stock open diff housing:

If you buy a J30 diff but would like to keep the stock 4.083:1 ratio...open it up, remove the VLSD center section, and swap it onto your open diff ring gear.

Sounds easy, but it's a time consuming process, and if you mess it up (have too much or too little clearance or backlash) - You'll ruin the gearset.

I've done it twice succesfully, so it's not that hard or scary...but you need to take your time and put EVERYTHING back EXACTLY where it came from (shims, bearings, etc...).

And to make it VERY clear...you use the VLSD center section AND output shafts...with your stock open diff ring and pinion / case / bearings.

Post by **CRIPES** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:59 pm

i was trying to take the shafts off of the j30 diff when i first got it to change the seals out but i couldnt get them off. i tried whacking it with a hammer, but it wouldnt budge.. i had to take it to a shop and they did it for $40, but it would be nice to know since some of my buddies want to do the swap.

so does it come off with force or is there some sort of tool that you need?

J30 Diff users; good price? anything else needed to install?

J30 Diff users; good price? anything else needed to install?

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (RedSubdivisions)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (ag240)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (RedSubdivisions)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (Ali 556)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (ag240)

Re: (spindrift187)

Re: (spindrift187)

Re: (Warped161)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (RedSubdivisions)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (Cone Junky)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (Cone Junky)

Re: (240marcuSX)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (CRIPES)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (Nacho_240)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (Nacho_240)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (CRIPES)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (tctomasc)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (timster)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (iitywygms)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (RedSubdivisions)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (CRIPES)

Re: J30 Diff users; good price? anythi ... (adrians_s13)

Re: (Dattebayo)

Re: (Tulsa_S-13)

Re: (SketchyRollin564)

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums