xm-xp falcons

[2nd.gunman]

is the front sheetmetal on xm-xp's interchangable? i want to fit an xm front onto a xp. i know the chrome side stripe is different but will it all line up and bolt straight on like xa-xc? also is there any difference between sedan and coupe frontends?

 

[addo]

You're asking some questions now!

The radiator support is different on the XP. You need an XK-XM radiator support; the earlier ones have the brackets for a bonnet prop rod so you never need sprung hinges that wear out.

Everything else is a bolt-up, but be sure to get the XP rear splash shields as they are a different shape. All body styles for any given model (XK-XP) are identical up to/including the lower windscreen chrome and hinge pillars.

More fun would be a Mustang front graft!

 

[2nd.gunman]

thanks for the info

but i've also heard that XF spindles are a bolt on giving 5 stud disc brakes is this correct?

 

[addo]

You need tapered collets to bush down the steering arms.

Also only XC and later rims will fit as the centre boss is fatter. I don't advocate this unless you simultaneously do a diff swap that gives you matching rear axle bosses.

Hindsight says to me the best rear end "swap" is either a full 8" swap from a US car, or a shortened diff out a later Falcon. I've wasted too much money on the Centura idea and it's a WOFTAM; trust me.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah but those centura diffs are perfect, because they have the same stud pattern, fit under with only some mods for the mounting, and can handle a 4.1 with ease

 

[2nd.gunman]

what sort of money is involved in shortening a later model diff?

i was thinking of using a XG or XH ute diff.

 

[addo]

You should be out no more than $1500 for a turn-key swap on a later Falcon diff.

Centura:

•Marginally too wide. Say ½" and this is enough to make wider tyres "bark" on the inner edge of the guard lip and be harder to remove.
•Conversion to Ford brakes (for larger drums and ease of spare parts) requires either welding and redrilling backing plates, or swapping to Falcon tube flanges. Also needs remachining of axles to move bearing shoulder and seal running surface outboard.
•Wheel studs are 1/16" smaller in diameter. Need to drill out for ford size pieces.
•Centre boss is way too big and some people ream out the Ford drum. I advocate machining the boss down instead.
•AFAIK, all are 2 pinion, most are 2.92. Centura assembly stopped a long time before BW Falcon diffs changed much, so they're older and mostly more used.
•No OEM sway bar mounts.
•Mounting point for brake connection is on the wrong side and needs redrilling/tapping.
•Brake line clips need relocating
•Centre has 1/16" smaller bolts for ring gear, meaning you need all newer model parts or have to make up eight Cr-Mo sleeves to use an older ring gear on a newer centre.

I'm a firm believer in the right tool for the job, and Centura is just not the option it was once. Mine has had bucket loads poured into it and still may be physically weaker than a chopped up XG/XH unit. Hardest bit with the shortened Ford diff is resplining an axle.

Cheers, Adam.

 

[2nd.gunman]

has anyone tried a hilux diff? it looks to me like it would be about the right width, has a ford stud pattern and low gearing.

also can you get a limited slip centre for a xp ute diff? will XF wheels fit one of these diffs? the thought of a bolt in 4:1 diff is tempting

 

[xctasy]

The Falcon tract is 1420 mm. The HiLux is a little less, but its designed for wheels with less offset. Add Falcon 5 stud wheels, and it would be fine.

I havent measured the offset. I'll crawl under the 2002 Hilux tommorow.

It has a 3.9:1 diff. Earlier SR5's had as low as 4.88:1 diffs. Most are limited slip. They are 31 spline, banjo/pumpkin/lift out diffs with 9" style third members which never break. Drum brakes are heavy duty items which are not as big as the XE utes, but perfect for our cars. Hand brake is easy, and all the parts are avaliable. Chaps run 450 hp supercharged Chevy engines with them, and seem to be delighted with the results. The diffs do lock up on the straightaways like most LSD's, and cornering an old 5.5 turns lock to lock XM with a partly locked diff on a wet street at even 20 mph wouldn't be pretty.


That's why we upgrade suspensions, tyres and brakes!

 

[64xm]

hey anything more happen with this?

 

[addo]

Dunno about the others, but I'm plugging along.

 

[64xm]

im interested in the diff part hehe

 

[Anonymous]

g,day i have a xp wagon , soon to have a 250 2v and am interested in the diff thing , i have a rusty xm wagon with i think xr diff and front brakes and i think vh40 ? booster , any help and advice on the swapover would be appreciated, cheers bundybiker

 

[addo]

Where are you? Is that you, Dan?

The basic theme of the diff caper is "Use something much newer than a Centura, and shorten it".