I saw some comparisons else where, in regards to Toyota. The fact is the 3.0 V6 rear exceeds specs for a Ford 9", the front a Toyota 8.5". This is all components, axles, ring gear, ect. The newer 3.5V6 200-245HP trucks use a 10" rear end, around a dana 60 spec. So you have to ask, why did Nissan use smaller diffs with more power, yet fairly beefy axles? It makes no sense, other then costs. That was somewhat the conclusion on the Toyota discussion. Still, cost savings do no good if you are left holding the bag for millions of dollars in warranty work, and pissed of customers. And, they took the cost to build and engineer a solid engine and transmission.