LSD rear axle for a '05 4x4?

[Sodo]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum. I've had my Frontier about a year, am starting to personalize it.

What's the most economical, and sensible way to get an LSD rear diff?
Is there a 2WD Frontier that has LSD? And can this diff fit my axle? Or if same ratio would the entire rear end bolt in?
I don't want a locker, just full-time LSD.

Thx!!

PS My axle is a CA31, which is wide open (jacked up, the rear wheels turn in opposite directions)

[dvdswan]

Sharp looking truck. I think there is an electronic locker from the factory available but I could be wrong. Do you have an offroad pkg on it?

[Chainsaw]

Someone else will have to bring better knowledge then me, Andy? If I remember correctly the nismo/offroad diffs are limited slip normally and locker when activated. I know you said your not interested in a locker but could be nice plus ..??

[Chainsaw]

Off topic, what brand is your canopy? Like it?

[Stu Pidass]

Don't the gen 2 4x4 come with the LSD stock?

[Sodo]

Thx for the question - I edited my top post to clarify that the CA31 is an open diff.

[Sodo]

I would not put the time&effort into the switches and stuff. Unless I was putting in a whole Nismo axle with all the bells/whistles I might consider it. An automatic, mechanical, full-time solution seems to be what I need to get the performance I want, at minimal cost. I don't go 4-wheeling per se, but a 4WD stuck with 2 wheels spinning is just SILLY.

So I couldn't post in the thread, sometimes this forum acts up...From what I understand no one makes an LSD for the C200k. The other axle variant for the 2nd gen Frontier, the M226, came in 2 versions, the locker/LSD and an open diff. For that you can put a TruTrac LSD in the open diff but you'll be needing to swap axles as the differential housings are different. https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/fron...al-p-6352.html

Thx for the note, that TrueTrac is a cool diff.
I noticed 4x4.com has this C200 LSD for $580. Anyone have comments about this item? I like the idea of the TrueTrac but OTOH I can't imagine I would ever do thing with my truck that would wear out the clutch type either. Currently this looks like my best bet, thx for the 4x4parts link.

Regarding the wrecking yard solution:
What about replacing the whole axle, does the M226 axle bolt on in place of a C200? (then task to find same ratio....)
I don't suppose the M226 diff fits inside my C200 axle housing....
Any idea what an Axle costs at the wrecking yard?

Thx for any help!

[Andy]

Lots of people swap the diffs. It's very straight forward, just need to determine your factory gear ratio and if it corresponds to one available on M226's. If not you could regear the front diff.
After that you would have a stronger axle, but unless you sourced it out of an "offroad or pro4X" you would still need to put a limited slip in it. Also the M226 has more lockers available.
From what I've seen you've got a few good locker options for the c200k. That would've great off road
All said, if you're not going to wheel it , you're not going to need it. Your truck has an ABLS system which uses the antilock breaks to stop a tire that is spinning and transfer the power to the other. It does a great job 99% of the time. In 6 years of wheeling we rarely needed our locker.
Put the $1k that the lsd, or swap, or locker would cost into other personalization. Then if you really find you're getting "hardcore"! Get a locker.

[Chainsaw]

Andy, not all the 2nd gens have ABLS, mine for example. It'll sit and spin all day long!

As far as swapping the axel it may not be a straight bolt in but it will be close. Number one is gear ratio. If the ratio in the donor axle doesnt match you'll need to buy gears to match the two (hundreds of dollars). Number two is the easier stuff. There isnt much hardware that holds an axle on. A couple of U bolts if the tube sizes are different, maybe a fitting if the brake hose thread doesnt match, and possibly the most expensive part (aside from matching gears if need be) would be if the drive shaft flange doesnt match vs the donor axle.

The most economical way is PROBABLY going to be finding a the LSD you want and putting it in the axle you have. Since your not wheeling and dont need stronger axles Id say set aside the idea of the M226 swap. Not sure which would be more expense, the axle swap or buying and LSD and having it installed. Maybe they are close, maybe one is way more expense, I dont know. Id say call a few junk yards and get prices on axles vs getting and LSD installed.

Randys ring and pinon is just up in Everett, they can do the work and may offer an LSD...

[Sodo]

All said, if you're not going to wheel it , you're not going to need it. Your truck has an ABLS system which uses the antilock breaks to stop a tire that is spinning and transfer the power to the other. It does a great job 99% of the time. In 6 years of wheeling we rarely needed our locker.

I do have ABLS. Having ABLS is probably a lot better than 2 drive wheels (as I assumed it would be). I didn't think ABLS could work that well, especially when it feels like someone stuffed a sock in the intake...!

I think that's good advice - probably better off using the $ for suspension. Thanks!!

[Andy]

With judicious use of the throttle, the ABLS will take you a long ways. Good luck!