rear end problems

General information about the first-generation Nissan Maxima in the US. What was the Datsun 810 became the luxury leader Maxima in the US in 1981.

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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#16

Post by kassim503 »

I figured out the gearing, and its 4.38, goodbye good fuel economy and hello to quick first gear pulls!

The diff seems pretty low mileage, its very very very tight to be coming out of any 80's car, in fact it feels like its new. Probably because its the front differential and its been just "in it for the ride" and was not engaged until its in 4wd.

Im just finishing it up right now, all it needs is to tighten the cv joint bolts and throw in some fluid and off to cruise around.

Unfortunatley the old differential is trash, with fluid of just 3 days old and about 50 miles on it, the fluid has so many metal shavings that it was silver, not black or tan. Also the ring and pinon gear has some damage done to it, so its really just a boat anchor now.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#17

Post by kassim503 »

Does anybody know where i can get the correct speedo gear for 4.38 gearing that I have? I might need it soon because im taking her in for a state mandated inspection in about 2 weeks so they might not like it if my speedo is 10mph off.

the gearing makes first and second gear go fast if you nail it, so i have that little bit of go power if i ever needed it.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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asavage
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#18

Post by asavage »

The Parts Catalog lists only three ratios for the R180 as used in the Gen1 Maxima Sedan:
  • 3.364:1 (LD28 AT to Jun-82)
  • 3.545:1 (All MT; L24e AT to Jun-82)
  • 3.700:1 (All AT from Jul-82 on)
That means that the speedo gear you need would have to be from a vehicle that has the same trans family as yours (your sig doesn't say, and I can't remember) and that uses the ratio you have. I'd guess 720 PU might be your only bet on that one.

If you have a MT, I think you might get close -- though not right on -- by using the speedo gear from the 4WD 720 5-spd. However, if you have the AT, I think you are out of luck, as the 720 never used the L4N71b, and I don't know if the L3N71b that they did use has an interchangeable speedo gear.

You might have to use a speedo ratio correction box.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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kassim503
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#19

Post by kassim503 »

Unfortunately, I have the auto.

Stole this from Zhome.com-
Speedo Gears:
3.3?? : Yellow
3.545 : Black
3.7 : Blue
3.9 : White
The following rear gear ratios were only available from Nissan Competition Dept. - not OE in any models sold in the US
4.11 : Red
4.375 : Purple? <- note question mark

If its for a 280z, it should be able to fit the maxima, they are nearly identical cars mechanically.

I guess I have to try to find this ?purple? speedo gear, from Nissan, ill try the dealership and a nismo shop sometime soon. If i cant find it, ill set up a speedo correction box.

Ben, how did you set up your speedo after the 4.11 gearing? Did you correct it or did you just live with it.

The speedo thing dosent really bother me, I just follow the speed of other people in the slow lane, usually slow lane traffic is only 5 mph over the limit, right where I like it :)

Does anybody know if the speedo has to be accurate to pass inspection? I have to have the car inspected in 2 weeks before it expires.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#20

Post by 83_maxima »

kassim503 wrote:Unfortunately, I have the auto.

Stole this from Zhome.com-
Speedo Gears:
3.3?? : Yellow
3.545 : Black
3.7 : Blue
3.9 : White
The following rear gear ratios were only available from Nissan Competition Dept. - not OE in any models sold in the US
4.11 : Red
4.375 : Purple? <- note question mark

If its for a 280z, it should be able to fit the maxima, they are nearly identical cars mechanically.

I guess I have to try to find this ?purple? speedo gear, from Nissan, ill try the dealership and a nismo shop sometime soon. If i cant find it, ill set up a speedo correction box.

Ben, how did you set up your speedo after the 4.11 gearing? Did you correct it or did you just live with it.

The speedo thing dosent really bother me, I just follow the speed of other people in the slow lane, usually slow lane traffic is only 5 mph over the limit, right where I like it :)

Does anybody know if the speedo has to be accurate to pass inspection? I have to have the car inspected in 2 weeks before it expires.
I pulled the gear out of the 200SX's manual tranny - it was a 5 speed too, probably very similar to the FS5W71B, if not a FS5W71B. As I recall, it is a small cartridge that has the gear on the end. You might keep your eyes open for another donor vehicle in the JY that you can get both the diff and the gear out of. It was important for me to maintain accuracy with the speedo.

FY!: The gear I pulled out of the 85 200sx WAS red, despite the reference indicating otherwise. The one I pulled out of the maxima trans WAS white.
dlh
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Location: Denver

#21

Post by dlh »

The gears can be swapped out between the carriers. There are at least 2 different carriers between the 4n71b and the manual boxes.
crank pirate, cannibalistic zcar owner
1982 280zx turbo 4 spd auto
1973 240z, lsd, cv axles
HowlerMonkey
Posts: 130
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: West Palm Beach Florida

#22

Post by HowlerMonkey »

I would go with a 3.9 from a 200sx turbo........don't forget to get the diff mount.

Sadly, you will need axles for a 280zx fitted with a r200.
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#23

Post by kassim503 »

The NA 200sx had a 3.9 r180 rear

The Turbo 200sx had a 4.11 r180

If its a R180 they all interchange with eachother, so no z car mustache bar would be needed

Unfortunatly,I settled for a 4.39 from the 720 pickup, but I have mastered my RPM's to speed ratio, so im almost accurate on speed when im locked up in 4th
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
goglio704
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: East Tennessee

#24

Post by goglio704 »

Kassim,

Was it a direct swap? Did you have to swap any parts from the original to the replacement?
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
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kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#25

Post by kassim503 »

It was all bolt on, no custom fabrication.

Only swap i had to do is swap the maxima's pan for the trucks pan, the trucks breather is a hose that connects to higher ground so the differential dosent get mud in it while its in the bogs, or fording a river while the maxima's breather is a little piece of plastic with a splash guard over it.

Also the truck cover had shorter studs, otherwise I just swapped the differential covers and pushed the new one back in.

Complete bolt in operation, which was exactly what I was hoping for :D
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
TheDieseliminator
Posts: 207
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Florence, AZ

#26

Post by TheDieseliminator »

Well that's good to hear for someone wanting to pop in that rear axle and not to mention much lower gearing then what you saw from the factory. I guess if you wanted to set up a Maxima diesel for a good amount of towing that axle ratio would be a stump puller!
1982 Datsun Maxima diesel wagon w/ 228k miles
*occasional daily driver*

1982 Datsun Maxima diesel sedan w/ 252k miles
*now off the road as a parts car and sent to the yard :( *
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asavage
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#27

Post by asavage »

The limiting factor in towing with a Maxima (diesel or otherwise) isn't the gearing, IMO.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
HowlerMonkey
Posts: 130
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: West Palm Beach Florida

#28

Post by HowlerMonkey »

The 200sx turbo came with 4.11 only one year.

The other two years was the 3.9.


I know this because I run a 200sx turbo 3.9 diff in my maxima.
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