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v6 thirds...

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jekbrown

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
ok, anyone who reads the FAQ knows that V6 thirds have larger bearings and a stronger housing... but in real-world use are v6 thirds really that much more durable/strong? or is it not that big of a deal? I'm building a light buggy that will run 36s or 38s and I'm trying to do things as inexpensively as possible. This wont be a comp rig and Im not a crazy man on the skinny pedal. 80% trail use, 20% rocks, ORO rig. stock 4.10 gears 4cyl thirds are a dime a dozen.. do I really need v6 thirds? Also, if I did run one axle with a v6 third... would it be more advantageous for it to be the front or the rear? common sense says the front... but I dunno. :)

j
 
#2 ·
i think the strength is negligible compared to price difference.
the "V6" uses the same gearset, just different housing, carrier and bearigs.
the 4cyl carrier is more desirable as it allows for "lincoln locking" more readily.
 
#3 ·
Tracy Evans who competes in UROC runs 4 cyl 3rd but only runs 35s but has never broken one FWIW. I went with a 6 cyl and it makes a difference. the big question is what locker you are going with. The cheapest overall option (unless using a lunchbox locker -- not recommended) is using a used Toy e-locker that is also selectable. Rocklogic4x4.com's team ran this setup for ages but went to 1-ton to use water filled tires (last I heard but I know their buggy is now on 1-tons). If you use a toy e-locker 4.10 third, it also happens to be a V6 diff that is the stronger unit. If you buggy is not too heavy you might be OK with 4 banger diff. I have the V6, it was only $275 used for the whole diff with locker. But I haven't even installed it yet, and have hammered the crap out of my 4 banger diff with a 4 cyl cummins diesel and 5500 lb truck and it is still holding up fine. But I am not locked up... ...yet.
 
#6 ·
i have run 4 cylinder 4:10 thrids in my truck and runner and have not broken one yet.have them miller locked with dual-cases,37in.ssr's and not scared to use the skinny pedal.broke lots of other stuff,including the t-case input shaft this weekend.like you said there cheap,so run them...
 
#8 ·
broke 2 4cyl diffs.one 4.10 open crushed pinion bearing one 4.88s open ripped teeth off pinion.

replaced with a locked 4.88v6 no probs and i beat the snot out of it ever time out.

oh yeah i do run a 4cyl 4.88 diff in ft with aussie locker. no probs so far but its only been out 6 times so far
 
#9 ·
gnob said:
i think the strength is negligible compared to price difference.
the "V6" uses the same gearset, just different housing, carrier and bearigs.
the 4cyl carrier is more desirable as it allows for "lincoln locking" more readily.
Click to expand...
You can put a 4cyl gear set into a V6 if you use a shim. A true V6 gear set is larger than a 4cyl and will not fit in a 4cyl housing.

Don't compare a V6 to 4cyl if you not going to put a true V6 gear into it.


Just because 4WPW does this to save money does not make it right!
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
yeah, i was going to run a spool in the rear and prolly an aussie locker in the front. Guess I shoulda mentioned that. :) I'll prolly go with em just cause they are so cheap/common... I guess if carnage ensues then I'll go hunting for some v6 thirds. This rig wont be for comps and will be trailered... so if stuff breaks its not like I cant get to work or home or whatever. :)

j
 
#12 · (Edited)
GearMan said:
yes "V-6 Gears" were first made for 4 cly toyotas.you just have to use the 86 and up factory 4 cly brng.
Click to expand...
The gear set itself is not where the main strength difference is!!!

And on a related note, I'm pretty sure V6 and 4cyl carriers will fit either housing too, again, depending on which bearings/races you use.

Gearman has all that stuff in his head... including part numbers! :eek:
 
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#13 ·
i have ran and broke both 4cyl and v6 diffs. the v6 third is stronger lasted about 3 times as long (3 months) but for the price 4cyl diffs are a dime a dozen. both break..... now ive gone with a 60
on the 4cyl diffs for me the pinion always stripped and sometimes the splines spun too.... v6 ones i took teeth off the ring
 
#14 ·
Holly Shit, you guys must never let up on the loud peddle. I ran 4cyl diffs in my last rig for 13 years. The last 5 with detroit rear and arb front with 37's and never broke anything related to the diff. And that was more than a dozen trips through the con, etc.
 
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#15 ·
Chris Geiger said:
You can put a 4cyl gear set into a V6 if you use a shim. A true V6 gear set is larger than a 4cyl and will not fit in a 4cyl housing.

Don't compare a V6 to 4cyl if you not going to put a true V6 gear into it.


Just because 4WPW does this to save money does not make it right!
Click to expand...
Thats not true.before there were "v-6"gears they were 4 cly. gears and all you need is a so-called v-6 gear and your 86 and newer rear pinion bearing and it bolts right into a 4 cly. third. V-6's are way over rated.IMO
 
#16 ·
GearMan said:
Thats not true.before there were "v-6"gears they were 4 cly. gears and all you need is a so-called v-6 gear and your 86 and newer rear pinion bearing and it bolts right into a 4 cly. third. V-6's are way over rated.IMO
Click to expand...
The application of this larger gear was found first in a 4 cyl application, it was the Turbo. The Turbo trucks were the first to received the larger, heavier housing also. This housing is what we now call the V6. It may be more accurate to call it a Turbo/V6 housing.

You may think the 4cyl housing is just fine and if it works for you that's great. I broke two 4cyl stock R&P's on years before I had a crawler. I was never impressed with the 4cyl diffs.

Last two rigs I used V6 3rd's and they never broke. I carried a 4cyl diff as a spare but never used it for myself. It did see service in two other rigs over the years.

There were several upgrades used in the turbo trucks that were later also used in v6 applications. Another example is the 23 spline transmission. Sure 21 spline works for lots of people. But there are also people that are looking for more strength than the 21 spline can provide.

Saying the V6 diff is over rated is like someone saying anything over 33 tires is overrated. It's overrated if you don't need it for what you are doing.
 
#18 ·
I've set up quite a few "4 cyl" 3rds and a couple V6 ones......I really don't get excited about the extra reinforcing rib......or the monster size main pinion bearing.....or the slightly larger pinion head.....though I kinda like the really good sized carrier bearing. REASON----properly torqued down they(carrier bearings) keep the ring gear deflections to a min. That is where the strength is folks.

that said, I can feel good about setting up 4 cyl 3rds....I just make sure I set em right. I know where Gearman is coming from. ZUK
 
#19 ·
I ran a 4 cylinder, ARBed, 4:88 Genuine Geared diff for seven years in my truck, three years in the rear when it was my DD and the rest in the front after an SAS. It finally gave out this year when the ring gear bolts loosened and it broke the flange off the ARB housing. We are not real extreme wheelers but we do take it to the limit and bypass is not a word in our vocabulary!!!!! V-6 stronger, maybe but not by that much in my opinion!!! :grinpimp:
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
good times. I think I'll definitely go the "use the 4s for now, if they break all the time go 6s" approach. I really dont hammer down on the skinny pedal hardly ever. I dunno, maybe its boring as hell to watch me wheel, but thats the way I like to drive. Slow n easy.... crawlin'. I think the 4cyl thirds oughta hold up pretty well. If I'm wrong, well, I'll invest the $ to upgrade. :) thanks guys,

j
 
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