Hey all, I have a manual 2006 Honda CR-V AWD, and am looking to make it a bit more capable off road. I ordered Dobinson's lift springs, (1.5 - 2.0 inch lift) along with slightly more aggressive tires, and new rear upper control arms to ensure proper alignment with the new setup. One thing I'm curious to know more about includes potential upgrades to the stock AWD system that it currently has. I've heard of some people pinning the clutch packs in the rear diff to get a better torque split, but unsure if it's really worth it or not. Also heard of people swapping in a viscous coupler and rear diff from a wagovan to get full time 4WD instead of the part time AWD. I also know that the 2005 - 2006 CR-V came with one of the best AWD setups out there (at least amongst elements and previous years of second gens), as the clutch packs in the diff have little ramps between them that make it engage a bit sooner; so I know I'm already at a bit of an advantage in this regard. Realistically though, using other honda parts, how much better engagement can I get? Is it worth the hassle? Does anyone have experience upgrading these AWD drivetrains? Or even important info regarding lifting a 2nd gen / making it more offroad friendly? Any new info is appreciated, cheers!!!

 

05-06 CR-V probably had the best rear ends as far as dual pumps go. The addition of the ramp clutch really speeds up the torque transfer. The down side is the ramp clutch only works in the forward direction. In reverse you are still just a normal dual pump rear end.

There are clutch upgrade kits and shim kits that speed up and give a more aggressive lockup.

I think there is also an LSD differential available now as well.

Quick Spool
https://akdbuiltperformance.com/akdb...l-system-dpqs/

Clutches
https://akdbuiltperformance.com/raci...-clutch-packs/

Lockout Clutch blocks, probably not a good idea for a street car.
https://akdbuiltperformance.com/rtaw...-block-plates/

Thermal overload delete
https://akdbuiltperformance.com/rtawd-thermal-switch/

 

Much appreciated! I'll give those links a check. You the man!

 

GearX made an LSD for the dual pump rear end at one point.

Video evidence,

But the GearX website is not listing any LSDs right now.
https://www.mcssl.com/store/22311947...-differentials

 

Engagement has never been my issue, lack of any low range gear and low end torque becomes more apparent as you go further off pavement

 

Very true. If it only had 4 low... it would be the best thing ever. For the steep hills you always need momentum. Is there such thing as a lower aftermarket first gear? Or is the stock CRV fist gear as low as it gets? Also, I found another link to an LSD from Traction Concepts... can't seem to find any info on people running it on their car tho.

https://www.tractionconcepts.com/Hon.../tcxho4393.htm

 

That Phantom style LSD isn't great. There is a reason they call them phantom LSDs.

I do believe of the K series transmissions the CR-V has the shortest first gear. The element might be shorter or maybe it was just the final drive. Can't remember but the information is out there.

 

Is there an AWD upgrade that's even worth doing for the money? Anyone have experience using upgraded diff springs and clutches in their second gen?

 

I tested the function on my 2006 before dismantling it for parts. Wet grass hill gave 1/10th of a rotation of slip before the rear started shoving.

I bought the quick spool kit but haven't installed it.

 

the AWD upgrade worth doing is buying an actual 4WD vehicle with low range and a drivetrain robust enough to deal with tires bigger than 29”.


These CRVs are “soft roaders” and not “off roaders”

enjoy driving on some fire roads and exploring, but anything that says it needs 4x4, stay away.

 

Couldn't agree more. Just don't currently have the money for a proper 4WD, and want the V to be able to reach a few more places. The main reason for my interest in upgrading the diff is that I live in a very snowy climate, and having it open in the rear is dogwater sometimes. Just find myself wishing for a little bit more even torque distribution or a harder lockup for snow traction. Don't wanna buy a subie, either haha

 

The 2005-2006 crv and 2007-2011 crv ALL share the same rear differential internals.

The mods i do on mine is:

Replace the spring for the bypass ball (pressure and thermal) with one from K20/K24 TCT.

Add a shims on the clutch pack under the clip for tighter movement. (from the junkyard, racing diff make one thicker)

Night and day compare to oem.

 

Whats the difference in the 02-04 and 05-06 than other than the Rear end? Different Gearing in the transfer case or transmission or anything? Could you Just Swap rear ends from an 05-06 into an 02-04?

 

Yes you can do exactly that and gain the ramp clutch from the 05+.

 

very useful info!
Are you aware if the final drive is the same ratio?
just asking since they lable the 02-04 and 05-06 T-cases as "different" but I don't think that really are.

 

There is a small ratio change to under drive the rear. It is like 0.5%.

I have put a few 05+ CR-V rear ends under Elements. There is a slight difference in the breather tube. The old diff is bent 90 and goes under the diff bracket while the 05+ is straight and goes through the bracket. If you get the 05+ diff bracket it is not an issue. Or just drill a hole in the bracket for the vent tube.

 

I recently picked up an 03 Cr-V manual, but its missing the transfer case, can get an 05 one, so I was reading these forms to find if it would work with my rear end, but might try to just upgrade the rear end as I wasn't sure exactly what the difference was.

 

Missing or has a block off plate? The 2wd manuals were the same transmission as the awd transmission but missing the second ring gear and have a block off plate where the transfercase bolts on.

 

Missing, its a AWD, they started to change the clutch and gave up, and pitched the driveshaft with the t-caae attached....
so I get the luck of trying to make sute i get the right one, but im not sure on issues with gearing in the different trans (element to crv) vs the rear ends. I've found one from an 05 crv, and another from an 04 crv. Based on part numbers, 05 and 06 are susppose to be different. But I don't see how. Because the trans are the same, and the final drive I thought was the same.
but what's weird is the 04 element, which the t-case is suppose to fit fine from it, has different gears in the trans and the same part number for the final drive as the 05-06

 

Yeah I see that part number for the 05-06 transfercase is unique. The final drive ring gear and the transfer ring gear part numbers are all the same from 02-06. I thought the gearing change was done in the rear end? But the hypoid gear in the 05-06 trasfercase is also a unique part number.

I would probably find an 02-04 transfer or any year Element. But the driveshaft from the Elements will be the wrong length.

 

All the same. 97-11 rear diff all interchange one to another. Element to.

Crv ans Element transfert case (manual) are all the same and interchange to each other. (new part number indicate update to the parts)

On my 2003 honda crv i have CRV manual transmission with element internal and rear diff from 2011 honda crv.

 

Yeah, seems to be a bit of a pickle.. other than getting a
t-case and rear end from 05-06. But the auto and manual rears are different I'd guess, which will make it a hard find..

 

Auto and manual rears are identical year for year.

Elements never got a rear end upgrade. CR-Vs got the ramp clutch upgrade in 05. They all otherwise interchange.

 

Whats Weird is when looking at 03 Cr-V part numbers for the Dif, It's showing 2 different part numbers for a Final Drive Gear...(41233-PPP-000 & 41233-PZF-020) One that Matches the Elements and 05-06 Cr-vs (41233-PZF-020 ) and the Other only Matches a 02-03 CR-V and 02-05 Civic SI...(41233-PPP-000) So that Makes no sense to me. lol I feel like these Honda Part numbers are just a Rabbit hole. But Based on the Info Of Transmission final Drive and Rear end Final Drive, The Transfer case should in Theory work Through all years of CR-V (Providing It doesn't have The Weird 41233-PPP-000 Final drive)

Okay, After doing a Bit more Research, Even Tho its a different part number for the Front, It appears they are all the Same across them. But I can't fully find the Gearing for the Rear Diff. Which Being the Rear diff is the same Across manual/ automatics that would make since why the use 2 different transfer cases. But Is the Gearing the same with all the manuals ?

 

Huh, looks like they had two final drive options. There are also 2 part numbers for the counter shaft that has the spur gear for the ring gear. I don't see a ratio change. The PPP part number is shared with the EP3 Civic at 4.764 and the PZF part number is the Element at 4.764.

Either way you can change the final drive in the transmission and not effect the AWD. The rear is driven off a second ring gear on the diff sending power to the rear AFTER the final drive ratio has done the reduction. This second ring gear or transfer gear is the same for 02-06.