M205 Sourcing

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
This started as a source thread, and now we are showing information.

Below is what we have gathered so far as to where we can find m205s and which vehicles they come out of.

I know we can use the one out of the Titan and the Armadas - better if they are 2007 and newer.

But there is an infinity with an m205 and some pathfinders have them as well.

If you have any more information to add, post it to the thread and we will keep updating the below list.

Thanks!

So far we have:
2004 - present Armada:
- 2004-2008 had 2 ribbed
- 2008-present have 3 ribbed and stronger

2004 - present Titan:
- 2004-2008 had 2 ribbed
- 2008-present have 3 ribbed and stronger
2008 - 2012 Pathfinders:
-205 with 2.97 gears
- v8 was available on SE and LE trim levels in 08 and 09
- v8 was available on LE trim level only 10-12
- Since all v8 Pathys are 08+ they should all be the upgraded 3-rib design
2004 - 2010 Infinity QX56: - unsure of gearing
 
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thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
Titan, Armada, and V8 pathy are all definites

If the infiniti uses it, it would most likely only be the QX80, but I think they use an R180 on most models.
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Titan, Armada, and V8 pathy are all definites

If the infiniti uses it, it would most likely only be the QX80, but I think they use an R180 on most models.

I only know about the infinity because AT told me that is where he got his, but I can't remember the model number he found it in. The thing had never even been engaged before.
 

Golf286

Wheeling
Location
Niwot, Colorado
I only know about the infinity because AT told me that is where he got his, but I can't remember the model number he found it in. The thing had never even been engaged before.
I don't know what prices are like in your part of the country but M205's are bringing stupid $$$ out west right now.
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
I don't know what prices are like in your part of the country but M205's are bringing stupid $$$ out west right now.

If it is coming out of a titan or armada - usually they run from $600 to up to $900.

But some of the pathy diffs are going for like $250 - I just need to figure out which model we can pull from.
 

SteeevO

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
fontana,ca
Getting an M205 at a reasonable price is almost impossible now. it's to the point where it's almost worth just buying a new one and saving yourself the headache.

a few years ago I was getting them for around $500, now I'm lucky if I can even find one, and when I do it's $900+

It's nuts,
 

obi_krash

Suspension Lift
Location
Richmond, VA
Getting an M205 at a reasonable price is almost impossible now. it's to the point where it's almost worth just buying a new one and saving yourself the headache.

a few years ago I was getting them for around $500, now I'm lucky if I can even find one, and when I do it's $900+

It's nuts,

That much?? Holy crap - man there are a bunch over here in the mid-atlantic area. Using car-part I can find 8 of them where the price ranges from $600 to $750. These are Titan and Armada ones.
Just cause I was on the site, I checked the South East area - there are over 30 of them in the same price range.

Anyone interested in starting an m205 finding/shipping app? Lol
 

Golf286

Wheeling
Location
Niwot, Colorado
Getting an M205 at a reasonable price is almost impossible now. it's to the point where it's almost worth just buying a new one and saving yourself the headache. a few years ago I was getting them for around $500, now I'm lucky if I can even find one, and when I do it's $900+ It's nuts,
^^^Agreed
 

Golf286

Wheeling
Location
Niwot, Colorado
That much?? Holy crap - man there are a bunch over here in the mid-atlantic area. Using car-part I can find 8 of them where the price ranges from $600 to $750. These are Titan and Armada ones. Just cause I was on the site, I checked the South East area - there are over 30 of them in the same price range. Anyone interested in starting an m205 finding/shipping app? Lol

My guess is most of those are 2.94 gears, also remember you'll want 08 or newer
 

thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
My guess is most of those are 2.94 gears, also remember you'll want 08 or newer

Wrong gears don't really matter unless people are really trying to match the rear to slam it in and drive right away.
To me it's worth it to just get w/e gearing bc most people are going to regear anyway.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Agreed. Gearing should be the absolute last concern. Everybody should be regearing to run 35s anyway. Or you bought the right truck and you've got 3.69s like I do and have to regear no matter what.

Important thing should be 08+.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Also, here's the deal. And I'll throw this out there for people who don't know.

Get to know your local dealership. If they ever replace a 205 (or any axle for that matter) on anything under warranty, the old unit gets scrapped after 30 days. Corporate never asks for axles back.

So it's not going to happen on the regular, but, it is possible to get a used 205 from a dealership cheap. Because if you know the parts guys, they just recycle them. And if you're doing gears and a locker, all you really need is the housing and axle shafts.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Also, can confirm for your little chart in the OP.

08-12 v8 Pathfinder
- 205 with 2.97 gears
- v8 was available on SE and LE trim levels in 08 and 09
- v8 was available on LE trim level only 10-12
- Since all v8 Pathys are 08+ they should all be the upgraded 3-rib design

04-10 Infiniti QX56
- 205 unsure of gear ratio

The 11+ QX56 is Patrol based so I don't know if that has the same axle or not.
 
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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Also, here's the deal. And I'll throw this out there for people who don't know.

Get to know your local dealership. If they ever replace a 205 (or any axle for that matter) on anything under warranty, the old unit gets scrapped after 30 days. Corporate never asks for axles back.

So it's not going to happen on the regular, but, it is possible to get a used 205 from a dealership cheap. Because if you know the parts guys, they just recycle them. And if you're doing gears and a locker, all you really need is the housing and axle shafts.

Not even close man... They ship the old off and rebuild..

They don't scrap
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Not even close man... They ship the old off and rebuild..

They don't scrap
Mine does. Maybe when they're that close to the factory it's different. But the shop foreman at my dealership said in the 15 years he's been there they've never asked for a diff back.
 

Prawn

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Las Vegas
So I called my local scrap yards and pick a part and it seems they want upward of a grand for an M205, if they even have a wrecked Titan. Where are all these "deals" everyone is banging on about a $600 price tag?
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
So I called my local scrap yards and pick a part and it seems they want upward of a grand for an M205, if they even have a wrecked Titan. Where are all these "deals" everyone is banging on about a $600 price tag?
Call your local dealer. Talk to the service manager. Ask if they have any laying around. I'm dead serious.
 

Mixdnuts

Test Drive
This may be the wrong place to ask this but how bad is the pre 08? Possibly going in my 2014 pro4X. There is one at my local you pull so it will be fairly cheap.
 
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