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Flipping diffs..
akumabito - 17/2/07 at 10:26 AM

The MEV 4x4 kitcar runs with the entire Range Rover drivetrain 'backwards', they flipped the diffs upside down to correct the drive direction. Would this in any way shorten the lifespan of the diffs or compromise their strength? Won't they essentially be running as in reverse the whole time? I seem to remember a topic on here where it was stated that the gears would wear out a lot faster, and possibly also be a lot noisier than normal, but I could be mistaken.. any thoughts on the matter?

big_wasa - 17/2/07 at 10:39 AM

The engine is still rotating the same way, then so must the dif. So it won’t be running backwards just upside down.

The main issue is weather you would have lubrication problems?

goodall - 17/2/07 at 11:09 AM

depends on the design of the diff

also you could get round this by using the front diff at the back and the rear diff at the front

akumabito - 18/2/07 at 10:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by goodall
depends on the design of the diff

also you could get round this by using the front diff at the back and the rear diff at the front


If you'd use the front diff in the back, and the rear diff up front, would that mean you would not have to flip 'm up side down?

I guess if that is correct, you could also swap the front and rear axles?

That may actually be exactly what I need!

I'm thinking about starting a low-budget off-road project. I'm thinking about getting a beat-up Suzuki Samurai LWB, and converting it to a rear-engined configuration, then replacing all the bodywork with a cabin off a small Daihatsu pick-up.

If a rear-engined layout could be established by swapping front and rear axles, this could save me TONS of headaches! Next biggest hurdle would be steering... maybe a hydraulic setup would be easiest..

gazza285 - 18/2/07 at 12:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by goodall
depends on the design of the diff

also you could get round this by using the front diff at the back and the rear diff at the front



If you are putting the engine at the back as well then you have effectively turned the whole drive train around 180 degrees, meaning that the cars motion would also be turned 180 degrees, you'ld be going backwards! You would still need to turn the diffs upside down, but at least they would still be turning the right way.

Liam - 18/2/07 at 12:35 PM

Looking at the layout of the range rover transmission, the front and rear propshafts run down one side of the car. If you flip the whole lot 180 degrees to make it mid engined, then flip the two axles up-side-down to get it to go forwards, you'll also move the axles a couple of feet sideways! I.e. the engine will now sit roughly in line with the wheels on one side of the car! So they must also swap the front and rear axles anyway to get the engine central, i.e. original front axle back to the front etc. This of course means the steerable front axle stays at the front so makes sense.

This means both the axles are running up-side-down and backwards, which presumably isn't a problem or there'd be lots of broken mev 4x4s. Not surprising given how bulletproof the rangey stuff is.

Liam

rav - 19/2/07 at 11:07 AM

So there you go - upside down and backwards if you want to build a 4x4 lol

Liam - 19/2/07 at 05:43 PM

Ah but at least it drives forwards, dude! Only way you'll be driving is upside-down and backwards with that beastly lump in the back of a cinq

rav - 19/2/07 at 06:21 PM

Better start fitting a winch then so u can pull me out of the armco!
BTW did you get yr chassis repainted alright? What colour was it again - Ferguson grey??!

gazza285 - 19/2/07 at 07:19 PM

Oi, that's what colour I've got for mine.