Lot of speculation in that
thread without any resolve, unfortunately. Keep in mind that discussion was for D40 Frontiers, not the D22 in question here. 2005 is the inflection point for Nissan axles and differentials...they may share similar naming conventions and some dimensions, but they're ultimately quite different.
For that discussion, it's highly plausible that a 350Z LSD will fit a C200-equipped D40, simply because I can confirm the 2.5L D40 used the exact same open carrier housing and side gears as the 350Z. The C200 and C200K are subtly different, but appear to use the same 31-spline by 32.0mm according to ARB. I show the Quaife QDF13L for 2003-08 350Z/G35 with VLSD as being 31-spline by 33.0mm, though the latter dimension reads like a bore ID, and not a spline OD. I would chance that the 350Z Quaife would fit an 05+ C200 or C200K with little fitment issue...though, all those differentials and axle shafts may involve the use (or non-use) of circlips (compression clips), which could ultimately be an issue, particularly if the clip depth is different. It's also worth noting that VLSD applications use different housings designed for fluid flow to support the "viscous" portion of the LSD. Putting the VLSD unit into an non-VLSD housing may reduce its effectiveness.
Since we're potentially talking about a D22 2.4L 2wd C200 here, though, I'm in a position to validate fitment. Here is my assessment:
- As noted, I hoard this sort of stuff. I have a R200A 29-spline carrier, an RD106 ARB locker for a rear 31-spline C200, and the corresponding axle shafts handy to get actual measurements from (these are for pre-05 trucks). 29-spline axle shafts are 29.9mm in diameter, and 31-spline are 31.8mm.
- ARB specs their carrier opening as 30.4mm for 29-spline, and 32.0mm for 31-spline. (Presume carrier openings are about +0.5mm larger to allow sliding the shaft in.)
- Quaife model QDF13L shows application for 2003-08 350Z and G35 with VLSD diffs. A dimensional data sheet for it shows it as a 31-spline by 33mm shaft diameter. It also shows the ring gear ID (127.9mm) and ring gear bolt pattern (10x 12mm x 149.9mm) is consistent with my measurements and ARB data (128mm ID x 150mm pattern).
- All the remaining dimensions of the Quaife QDF13L are oversized. The data sheet shows the overall carrier length as being 179.1mm, with 141.0mm between bearings. The overall length is of lesser importance because of the case design on these, but the R200A carrier is 165.1mm and 127.1mm, respectively. The 14mm bearing differences are a deal breaker. Although the bearing heights are the same (19mm, though it would still need a different bearing because the ID's are 47mm vs 45mm), the distance from the bearing to ring gear mounting surface is 38.7mm on the Quaife vs. 31mm (total 50mm offset) on the R200A and RD106. This difference is also a deal breaker.
- Even if all those dimensions were correct, C200 rear axles in 2wd trucks use 29-spline axle shafts, not 31-spline. I should clarify that my prior comment about 31-splines in C200 was largely a reflection of the newer 4wd trucks I work on, forgetting that 2wd C200's, specifically those in 2.4L trucks, stayed at 29-spline. Older 4wd trucks (Hardbody, WD21 Pathfinder) with rear C200 were also 29-spline, but they eventually changed to 31-spline. Anyway, the confirmation here is that the side gears in 2wd 2.4L Frontiers with C200 rear axles are the same side gears found in 3.3L Frontiers/Xterra with R200A front axles (p/n 38423-C6100 if anyone cares), which are known to be 29-spline.
- For this reason, 300ZX Turbo LSDs have been fitted to front R200A diffs on 4wd trucks after boring out the ring gear bolt holes for 12mm bolts. This should also apply to fitment in a 2.4L rear C200.
Now...that all said, a Quaife QDF7L LSD for a variety of Z, ZX, and SX cars of the 80's and 90's also appears to be dimensionally perfect. The
dimensional data sheet has the right overall length (165.9 mm), right bearing spacing (128.0mm), bearing dimensions (45mm x 19mm), right ring gear offset (50mm), ring gear ID (128.0mm) and pattern, though the 10.2mm holes would need to be bored out to accept 12mm ring gear bolts, just like on the 300ZX LSD. The axle shaft bore (32mm) is high for the spline OD, however, I presume this is just the bore opening.
Of course, all this still hinges on the truck using a C200. OE C200 LSDs also existed, but good luck finding one...and even if you do, it may still be a matter of 29-spline vs. 31-spline. Frankly, I've never seen a C200 LSD, though I know it uses the same LSD pieces as the H233B LSD (and apparently the H190 LSD).
If it's an H190A, all the above is off the table...however, 4x4Parts lists an OEM LSD unit for $950. I swapped in an H233B with LSD and disc brakes for well under that.