Nissan Skyline GT-R Differential : Front, Rear, and Middle

R34 Vspec Rear Differential R200 3.545 gear ratio

dif·fer·en·tial

ˌdifəˈren(t)SH(ə)l/

A differential is a gear train with three shafts that has the property that the rotational speed of one shaft is the average of the speeds of the others, or a fixed multiple of that average

The Nissan Skyline GT-R are an all wheel drive car. They have a front and rear differential, and a transfer case which some people might call a center differential.

The front differential is called a F160, the rear a R200. There are two differential gear ratios seen, 4.111 in the R32 and R33 GT-R, and 3.545 in the R34 GT-R. The Vspec R33, and R34 also had a electronically controlled lockup of the rear differential. The R32 Vspec had a standard differential.

R200 Gear Ratio Information

Front Differential - F160

Broken front differential/oil pan from an RB26dett engine

The front differential in a R32, R33, and R34 GT-R is part of the engine oil pan. It has the same gear ratio as the rear differential. Make sure of this. If you don't you get cool things happening, like wild bucking when the center diff starts to lockup, and the front wheels are spinning either faster, or slower than the rears.

Stick your finger in it, to test the level.

The front differential of a Nissan Skyline GT-R is in the oil pan

38189-03V00 Seal - Oil, Drive Pinion

R34 front differential right side adjustment shims. All these show as discontinued

Front differential bearings for Nissan Skyline GT-R

Middle - Center Differential or transfercase

The middle or center differential is also called the transfer case. The transfer case splits the power out front to rear.

Nissan Skyline middle differential or transfer case

The ATTESA system controls the middle differential in a Skyline GT-R. A hydraulic pump with input from various sensors, that go to the ATTESA ECU, schedule the amount of lockup of the center differential.

ATTESA - The Nissan Skyline GT-R All Wheel Drive System
R34 GT-R ATTESA ETS-Pro Circuit Diagram and Component Location
How to Bleed the ATTESA System
GT-R, GTS4, FX35, R35 Transfer cases
Diagnosing common ATTESA faults

Center differential chain and clutchpack from a Nissan Skyline GT-R

Rear - R200

The rear differential on a Nissan Skyline GT-R is an R200. Its a strong differential. They don't fail a lot unless you do things like wheel hop. When they do break, they generally break stub axles.

OEM R32 GT-R and R33 GT-R are 4.111 gears

OEM R34 GT-R are 3.545 gears

From JT