Rear diff question

jhill15

Test Drive
Location
Charleston, WV
I'm looking at an 07 offroad manual with rear diff lock and 125k. I have researched some on the diff failures on these trucks but I can't seem to find out which models and diffs are prone to failure. Can anyone help me out with exactly which diffs and years are the ones to watch out for?

Thanks in advance

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thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
There arent many second gen failures per say. I only have seen/heard of about 2 on the r180 front diff. The rear on the OR/p4X/manual version is the m226 which is the d44 variant, so stronger than the other version which is in all other autos (c200k)
 

TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
There arent many second gen failures per say. I only have seen/heard of about 2 on the r180 front diff. The rear on the OR/p4X/manual version is the m226 which is the d44 variant, so stronger than the other version which is in all other autos (c200k)

The M226 is a D60 variant.

The 08+(?) have 4 spider gears as opposed to 2 in the previous years.
 

JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
Its definitely the front r180 that fails. I don't know if Ive heard of any m226 failures, except those caused by neglect.

Here is a long thread about front diff failures
 

Fromfrontier2Xterra

I bought a Taco
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
All over PA
The r180's downfall are the spider gears. If you lock the front you lose the spiders. However you then find the next weakest link. 9 times out of 10 it is the cv's next in line.

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jhill15

Test Drive
Location
Charleston, WV
So this 07 has the m226 with which is much stronger but might have leaking seals.

From what I gathered I shouldn't that concerned about the rear diff on this truck.

So hopefully if they don't sell it by next weekend I will am gonna nab it up!


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JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
So this 07 has the m226 with which is much stronger but might have leaking seals.

From what I gathered I shouldn't that concerned about the rear diff on this truck.

So hopefully if they don't sell it by next weekend I will am gonna nab it up!


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Yes. The m226 is a strong rear axle. You'll still have the r180 up front but in reality, its a minority that bust em up. Just gotta be easy on the skinny pedal.

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samuel313

Test Drive
Location
Provo, UT
People have had M226 failures due to the e-locker only having two spider gears from 2005-2007. 2008+, the e-locker has 4 spider gears. However, the failure rate is definitely much lower than R180 spider gears breaking. Rugged Rocks sells the updated e-lock unit, but many opt to go full ARB if their diffs do break. Sometimes people post their updated e-lockers for sale and they are usually pretty inexpensive, so there are options if the diff does go. I recently swapped in a 2005 M226 w/ 3.69 gears and e-locker, and feel comfortable that the likelihood of it faliing on me is pretty low.
 

ryandavenport

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Middle Tennessee
Man, im just having no luck. They sold the 07 last night!.

My search continues!

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Have you considered looking for a non off-road model and just adding an ARB air locker? That's what I did and really enjoyed it. Not sure where everyone has the understanding that the M226 is a stronger axle, but the C200K has a much better track record. I ran mine locked with 34s for a few years with no issues. It has now moved on to another forum member as I upgraded to a Pro-4X


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jhill15

Test Drive
Location
Charleston, WV
I have thought about that as well, and im definitely not ruling out a non locked X. I would go for a 2009 and up as I love the face lift of them. I would have a hard time justifying that I need an arb locker to my wife lol. If the locker was already there then...lol.

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Mr_Scott

Test Drive
Go for the later Elock'd X in my opinion. The arb is nice but there are more things to go south on them. I beat on mine. A lot. Tons of rocks and plenty of high speed sliding around through the desert while locked and I've never had a problem (35"s and 4.56's). Bent an axle but never any diff problems. Not sure I've even seen a case where the updated ones have puked on an X or a Fronty....? There's a huge following of Rubicon owners who have little problems as well. Just my .02 here:)
 
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