Differentials: Identification, Restoration, Repair 2nd Edition

For some reason, people are often quite courageous about getting their hands dirty when it comes to engine modifications and repairs, but they hesitate when the project turns to working on differentials. Perhaps they just don't have the necessary information. As usual, the more you know about a subject, the better off you are. That's why, when it comes to diffs, you definitely need this book: Differentials - Identification, Restoration & Repair. It contains almost 400 pages of extraordinary details which have been assembled from the experts. It also includes over 500 high-quality black and white photographs. With the correct information and clear instructions (and all of that is right here), you can do this! Save yourself time and money, and experience the grand satisfaction of doing it yourself.

This useful book was written by Randy Lyman and Jim Allen. Randy is the CEO of Randy's Ring & Pinion. He has been working on differentials since 1979 and has built over 2,250 differentials with his own hands. His background includes Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy and a degree in Physics. His expertise makes this book a vital resource for the do-it-yourselfers. Jim Allen was a tugboat operator for the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War where he served as a marine engineer. Jim is also an ASE certified Master Tech and has worked on many different makes and models of vehicles for a number of years. In 1993, he went full time into the magazine business. Allen has authored nearly 1,500 magazine articles and this is his seventh published book. As you can see, the extensive engineering and mechanic knowledge of these men, combined with professional writing skills make this book a winner.

Even if you are still uncomfortable about actually digging in with your own hands to do the work, this guide is loaded with superior information to help you choose the right pieces for your project. It examines their origins, strengths and weaknesses and the processes involved in doing the jobs right.

When it comes to the powertrain of cars and trucks, engines are often the item you'll find in the spotlight. Transmissions aren't far behind, but the differential is the quiet hero of this group. If you understand that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link (and all of that horsepower has to get all the way from the engine to the pavement, or off-road trail, or whatever terrain you are attempting to traverse) you'll realize just how important it is to consider all of the details of your differential. For applications involving vehicles used for such activities as drag racing and off-roading, this especially holds true.

What does this book tell you? Well, chapter one gets things going by taking you through an education on all of the components and how they work. It sets the stage for the rest of the book, which is a fantastic assembly of specifications, recommendations and directions.

Chapter two is truly a vast and wonderful resource. It's called the "Axle Encyclopedia". This is an invaluable guide to factory axles, identification and codes. You'll discover this helpful section breaks down specific axles and details such items as: manufacturer, other names common to the unit, applications (this will help you know which factory unit you have and offer assistance with interchange opportunities). You'll also find a comments section for each, with observations and details from the experts. Next is a tremendously handy table which breaks down construction specifications AND rebuilding specifications! It concludes with excellent general information, and details about such things as lockers and limited slips and aftermarket options. Depending on the unit, you'll find even more items such as formulas for success, major variations, general strength and more. Please take a look at the numerous axles covered in the area below. You'll find almost 50 different listings in the axle encyclopedia and close to 150 pages.

Chapter three goes on to cover "building blocks", which includes such topics as tools, work environment, shop supplies, ordering parts, breaking in parts, bearings, seals and other helpful instructions. Chapter four addresses light repairs, while chapter five covers the major repairs. In chapter six, you'll receive an education with a class in "modifications 101". That's right. This book isn't only about factory components. You'll find over 50 pages of modification information. Hang on. It gets better. Chapter seven is named "upgrade potpourri" and it contains exactly what it says. Just when you thought this book was finished, it puts a big load of icing on the cake by adding appendix 1, which is a glossary, or "gearhead dictionary" and appendix 2, which is a series of helpful formulas.

Having the right differential equipment is majorly important for maximizing the enjoyment, performance, economy, etc. of your vehicle. Once you use this book to determine your requirements and options, you'll be on the road to success.

What's the big deal with differentials? Well, gear ratios are a balance between acceleration and top end, and the components which are used to make up the differential also play a big role in things such as mileage and durability. Think about it this way. It's simple to build a go-kart with a solid rod for an axle and a wheel on each end. The trouble is, when you scale it up to real car and truck levels that set-up really only works well in a straight line. When you go around corners, the outer wheel has to cover more ground, so you need the vehicle to be able to allow the wheels to turn at different speeds. Fortunately, super-smart engineers have figured out fancy ways to do this, and, yet still offer you great options for using both wheels to put down the power.

The detective work and math has already been done for you. It's in this book! You will be astonished at the amount of information contained in this guide.

• AAM 9.25, AAM 10.50 (new style), AAM 11.50 Rear, AMC-20 Rear
• Chrysler 7.9 IFS, Chrysler 8.0 IFS, Chrysler 7.25 IFS, Chrysler 7.25 Rear, Chrysler 300, Chrysler 8.25 / 8.375 Rear, Chrysler 9.25 Rear, Chrysler 8.75, Chrysler 9.63 Dropout
• Dana Spicer 28TTB / 35 TTB / 35 IFS, Dana Spicer 25 /27 / 30 Front, Dana Spicer 30 IFS, Dana Spicer 44 Front, Beam & TTB, Dana Spicer 50 Beam & TTB
• Dana Spicer 60, Dana Spicer 70 Front, Dana Spicer 23, 27 and 30 Rear, Dana Spicer 35/AMC-15 Rear, Dana Spicer 36 ICA Rear, Dana 44 ICA Rear, Dana Spicer 41, 44 and 45 Rear
• Dana Spicer 53, Dana Spicer 60, Dana Spicer 61 Rear, Dana Spicer 70 Rear, Dana Spicer 80 Rear, Dana S110 & S135
• Ford 7.5, Ford 8.8, Ford 8.0/9.0/9.38 Dropout, Ford 9.75/10.25/10.50
• GM 7.25/8.25/9.25 IFS, GM 8.5 Front, GM 7.5/7.63/8.0, GM 7.6 IRS & 8.6 IRS, GM 8.40 Rear Dropout, GM 8.2/8.5/8.6 Rear, GM 8.875 Car/Truck Rear
• GM 9.375 Rear Dropout, GM 9.5 Rear, GM H-052, H-072 Rear Dropouts, GM 10.50 Rear
• Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac 8.2, 8.5, 9.30
• Samurai/Sidekick 6.90 Front/Rear Dropout
• Toyota 9.5 Landcruiser Dropout Front and Rear, Toyota 7.5 IFS, 8.0 and 8.25-inch Dropouts, Front and Rear, Toyota Clamshell 8" Front, Toyota 9.5 and 10.5 Rear

• AMC Car Models: 1962 - 1987
• Chevrolet Car & Truck Models: 1946 - Present
• Chrysler Car Models: 1957 - 2011
• Dodge Car & Truck Models: 1946 - Present
• Ford Car & Truck Models: 1948 - Present
• GMC Models: 1956 - Present
• Honda Models: 1994 - 2002
• Hummer Models: 1992 - Present
• Isuzu Models: 1991 - Present
• Jaguar Models: 1960 - 1997
• International Harvester Models: 1953 - 1980
• Jeep / Willys Models: 1941 - Present
• Lincoln Models: 1950 - Present
• Mercury Models: 1949 - 1986
• Packard Models: 1957 - 1958
• Plymouth Models: 1957 - 1993
• Samurai/Sidekick: 1986 - 2004
• Studebaker Models: 1939 - 1964
• Sunbeam Models: 1964 - 1967
• Toyota Models: 1958 - Present
• Volvo Models: 1953 - 1975

• Fitment Coverage Document (major applications) - Click Here

REFER to the TABLE OF CONTENTS tab for details about the contents in this book.

Sample Page:
Below: Differentials: Identification, Restoration & Repair Sample Page - Full-Float Axle Disassembly