Guest Anonymous Posted May 25, 2002 Share Posted May 25, 2002 Here's the finished diff strap. Thanks ScottieGNZ and Pete for sharing their info to help me come-up with this. It's stupid simple. I just used longer diff to mount bolts and added rubber bushings that compress when the strap is tighted. The preload can be adjusted by adding washers/spacers to the appropriate places to lighten or tighten. Anyway, the result is a rubber dampened diff with limited upward travel. (maybe slightly longer bolts. I used 4.5", the 5" bolt threads weren't long enough but I guess you could extend them). Anyway, here are pics (thanks to R0N for the shots). Diff strap Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 Cool Jon. Nice simple design. Looks easy to fab too. Can't wait to hear how it performs. My only concern would be about bending from heavy launchs. Looks like 1/8" stock? You should have better clearance to the e-brake cable than the Tyler design since you don't have the thickness of the Chevy tranny mount above it. Go out and abuse it a couple a dozen times. Then whip on over here and let me look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 It's 3/16" stock... but it should hold up just fine. See the bolt under the front of the diff in the front view? That was/is the old strap, 1.5 x 2 x's 16 gauge that wrapped around the mount replacing the 3/16" cable that JTR recommends. It worked great, so this can only be better. I'll beat it and bring it by. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 Dan, it's 3/16" stock... but it should hold up just fine. You could make it outta 1/4" but I think that would be over kill. See the bolt under the front of the diff in the front view? That was/is the old strap, 1.5 x 2 x's 16 gauge that wrapped around the mount replacing the 3/16" cable that JTR recommends. It worked great, so this can only be better. I'll beat it and bring it by. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest QIK 71Z Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 I've seen several posts about different ideas on rear diff mounts. I have been using a solid front mount with urethane rear bushings for about 2 years without any problems after 40+ quarter mile passes. My car doesn't leave super-hard (best 60' is 1.61), but I wonder if there are any potential problems when using this setup that I may be unaware of. I drive the car on the street as often as possible and the only thing I don't like is the increased noise that the mount transmits into the interior. Am I missing something? I inspect the car thoroughly before and after every trip to the track. Thanks, MBarber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 The only thing "bad" I've heard about a solid mount is the differential "whine" resonates throughout the car. If your inspection shows nothing bad going on, ie: cracks and such, I'd say go with it. To each his own. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 That ought to do it! Nice mod! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 Pete and Dan, my only concern is with the threads filing away at the top of the mount. It's pretty tight (the bushings are really hard rubber that are compressed to about half their height) so I don't think it's going to move very much. What do you guys think? Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 I like it. I run a solid mount.. the only problem is when it was last removed to install the lsd.. we found that the mount was one run away from breaking...a grade 8.8 bolt.. ready to bust..hmmm maybe I drive the car too hard...hehe I to hate the "whine" from the diff. Now that the car is put back together with full interior..it really stands out now...I don't like it at all.. I'm going to have to do something else..I like your idea tho.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToplessZ Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 Hey dan what type of rear fender flares do you have on your car. they look like mine and one of them needs replacing. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 Jared, I believe Dan's rear fenders are from John Washington (Vello Rossa now called Reaction Research??) and are the "Subtle Z" fenders. Since your fender is fiberglass you should be able to repair it like new. I may be wrong on this but I follow his progrees fairly close since Dan does amazing work with only a red handled crescent wrench to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awd92gsx Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 Hmm...that's a pretty good idea...when are you setting up the jig and taking orders? I've wondered, though, is it possible to isolate the solid diff mounts with a layer of rubber? I'm about to buy one...not sure what's going to be worse, the constant banging of my diff hitting the underbody, or the diff noise...at least with the diff noise I don't have to worry about breaking too much other stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 Hey Jared, the fronts are SubtleZ and the rears are 280YZ. Both from Kit Car Z, formerly Reaction Reaserch, aka John Washington. And Tee Zee, FYI, I have THREE cresent wrenches: the small one you saw, a bigger one for bigger nuts, and an even bigger one for you, you nut! J.K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 Well I got 4 crescent wrenchs but loaned out one and lost two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 Glad to see someone finally thought it was a good enough idea to use it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToplessZ Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 rats those are different fenders then I guess I didnt look hard enough I mine are from jim cook racing with the mock side vents I want to buy the left side only but dont know if thats do able. The wheel decided to come off and mess it up pretty nicely and I am afraid of an extensive fiberglass repair not holding up. That and the backside is filled in with foam...Grrrr. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 You can probably buy just one of the flairs. I have a set of the JCR fenders and they are quality units but I do not want to sell them since I want to mold them into my Origin convertible rear panel. You can take out the foam and reinforce the damaged area stronger than the original. The easiest way is to take off the entire fender to do the repair from the inside out.You can temorarily shape the outside contour with wide masking or duct tape with the remaining fiberglass pieces to lay the fiberglass cloth on from the inside. Getting the fender off will be tough but if you replace it ...off it comes anyway.You can probably surgically remove the fender from the body with a hand held small disc grinder with a thin 3 inch cutting disc for precision cuts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 29, 2002 Share Posted May 29, 2002 That looks great, wonder why Nissan didn't do it that way in the first place. If I take the rearend out for any reason I will fab that up but for now the chain with a bolt through it has been working great. Yeah, everything I do is Jerry rigged cuz that is my name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted May 29, 2002 Share Posted May 29, 2002 I'm not sure which is more laughable - the 240Z headlight wiring system, or the front differential mount and "arrester strap"/afterthought ! Great fix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R0N Posted May 30, 2002 Share Posted May 30, 2002 Originally posted by awd92gsx:Hmm...that's a pretty good idea...when are you setting up the jig and taking orders? Bill, I think Jon is selling it for $35 + shipping which is cheap considering the strap from the dealer is $50+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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