Ke30-55 Diff Into Ke20?

[GCrolla]

Hey Guys,

 

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if a later model diff (ke30 - ke55)

will bolt into my ke20?

 

ke20 parts seem to be hareder to get a hold of.

 

Any help would be awesome

 

Cheers

[GJM85]

I've done it!

 

The spring mounts on the 55 diff are about 25-30mm wider so your springs twist inwards. The overall wheel track is about 35mm wider also. You'll have to lose the swaybar because there is nowhere to mount it on the ke20 body.

The drum brakes of the 55 BW diff are much bigger than the 20 drums and have a different stud pattern. 55-4x114.3. 20-4x110. The shock absorbers of the 30/55 mount to the lower spring plate and on the 20 diff the mount to the spring mount, so shock absorber length becomes an issue when you use lowering blocks.

The final issue you will encounter will be the tailshaft as the rear yokes are different. Square for the 20 diff and round for the 55 diff. I found a 55 tailshaft and had to shorten it 25mm. It is a much thick tailshaft but its lighter. You may encounter a problem where the 55 tailshaft won't fit into a ke20 gearbox. I didn't have that problem as I used a ke70 5 speed.

 

It resulted in cutting the spring mounts off the two diffs and rewelding the 20 spring mounts on the 55 diff. This allows you to set the springs mounts in about 15mm and you can also use either 55 or 20 rear shocks.

You may have issues with the brakes as the standard ke20 master cylinder struggles to move enough fluid to expand the rear brake shoes enough for a good stop.

Cheers

GJM85

[coln72]

Or you could get the later axels shortened about 5mm and slide them into the KE20 housing...... Just need the later brake assemblies.

[robj]

I put in a T series out of a RA 23/28. Needed to cut the mounts off the KE20 diff and weld them on the T series though...

 

These diffs are 1365/1370mm wide face to face, which is narrower than many other T series. I used TE27 Flares too, look up my old build post and it will give you some idea if it's worth while for you. Hand brake cables matched up, and this diff had provision for a panhard rod.

 

Can get good lsd centres for them too. Again 114.3PCD

Cheers

 

Rob

[GCrolla]

Cheers guys for all the info, gonna come in handy if I go with that option.

 

I'm keen to track down a stock ke20 diff, not looking to do too many modifications, just want it on the road.

 

Thanks again for the heads up on what to look for.

[GJM85]

Yeah. It gets better. I forgot to mention the ke55 handbrake cables are too short. So you'll need remove the 20 ones and fit them onto the 55 diff. It's a straight swap but it's a c#*t of a job.