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Axle Flip

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by MowTaco, Oct 11, 2010.

  1. Oct 11, 2010 at 9:06 PM
    #1
    MowTaco

    MowTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I got to thinking the other day... which never ends well. I was pondering lifting my truck and came up with a brilliant idea that I'd heard done on other trucks. Since the 5 luggers are sprung under, could I flip the axle to be sprung over for probably 2-3" of lift? I was looking at it and might run into trouble with where the shock mounts... I searched and didn't really find anything. Please forgive me if this is stupid.
     
  2. Oct 11, 2010 at 9:07 PM
    #2
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

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    what about the front?
     
  3. Oct 11, 2010 at 9:09 PM
    #3
    MowTaco

    MowTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I would probably go with spindles in the front... this is just for the rear.
     
  4. Oct 11, 2010 at 9:12 PM
    #4
    mrp192

    mrp192 REALLY!!

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    are you talking about having the leaf spring on top of the axle?
     
  5. Oct 12, 2010 at 4:24 AM
    #5
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    It can be done ...but it'll probably give you more like 5" of lift (guestimate).

    Jeep owners do it all the time on the YJ Wranglers.

    It's not a 'bolt on' type of modification. Do some research.....and lots of it before commiting to it.
     
  6. Oct 12, 2010 at 4:26 AM
    #6
    Kelson

    Kelson Well-Known Member

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    x2...imho keep the SUA and just get a leaf pack with more arch
     
  7. Oct 12, 2010 at 4:29 AM
    #7
    Namyo

    Namyo -

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    forgot what I'm doing here...that gif is bad ass...:D
     
  8. Oct 12, 2010 at 6:38 AM
    #8
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    If you are thinking about flipping the axel "upside down" have the spring perches at the "top" of the axel, think really hard about that.....What direction is the truck going to go when you put it in a forward gear?
     
  9. Oct 12, 2010 at 6:45 AM
    #9
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    lol. Certainly you jest.
     
  10. Oct 12, 2010 at 6:58 AM
    #10
    PreRunnerSeth

    PreRunnerSeth Well-Known Member

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    This is exactly what I'm going to be doing with the Scout. There are a few considerations. You cant simply flip the axle over. You have to cut off the spring perches then weld on new ones on the top. You will want to angle the pinion up a bit before you weld the perches on to correct the pinion angle for the lift. Not sure how the attach points are for the shocks on a 5 lug but you will most likely have to weld on new shock mounts as well. You will need longer brake lines as well. all in all not a really hard thing to do. Doing this procedure on the front of a solid axle 4x4 is a far more complicated process. The rear is fairly simple. I also highly suggest using a certified welder for these kind of critical suspension welds. Not sure about a 5 lug taco, but I will gain 6" or so of lift on the scout with this.
     
  11. Oct 12, 2010 at 7:11 AM
    #11
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

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    ^^This^^
    I have no idea if there is a way to correct this, but I wouldn't have thought of it unless Chris mentioned it. I don't think you can flip the axle without flipping the third member, but I don't know for sure. I think the bolt pattern only fits one way.

    On a more minor note, the diff drain plug will be located on the top of the axle so you'll have to drill/tap a new one on the bottom.
     
  12. Oct 12, 2010 at 7:39 AM
    #12
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    I think that maybe the OP is curious about a "SPOA" lift as Seth has mentioned.
    I'm currently starting this project on my samurai.
    Basically it's a free lift with a little bit of labor. If you have a "SPUA", you can weld new spring perches on top of the axles. Cut/gring/remove the old perches from underneath the axle and weld new spring perches on top of the axle basically giving you an "X" amount of lift equal to the depth of your axle + SP.
    It's very easy to do. very few measurements and some eyeballing.
    Very common on zukes, scouts and zukes with toyota axles and/or yj springs.
     
  13. Oct 12, 2010 at 7:59 AM
    #13
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Honestly?

    For the amount of effort (time, $$) you'd put into your 5 lug tacoma to go spring-over axle ( 5" of lift ) PLUS get the front IFS to match the rear.....

    Trade-in your 5 lug and get a Prerunner.
     
  14. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:01 AM
    #14
    MowTaco

    MowTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, i would obviously not just flip the axle over. I guess i used the wrong term for it but i am talking about the spring over lift. I actually got the idea from the samurai. Thanks for all the info.
     
  15. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:06 AM
    #15
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    OME 881 coils with OME nitrochargers shocks up front. TC UCA's OME Dakars with extra leaf in the rear. Warn 8000 winch with 80ft custom braided synth line. Custom 60ft synth extension. All pro tube bumper, Hi-lift jack, Safari Snorkel, Wilco tiregate. 2019 Jeep JLUR.
    There's very little cost and hardly any effort into doing a SPOA. Not only is it low cost but also adds the benefit of not snaggin jaggies if he decides to do a bit of 2 wheelin.

    Time=8 hrs. A few buddies, pizza, beer
    Cost= a set of spring perches, extended brake lines.
    tools=welder, grinder.
    Sure there's a lil bit more than that, but it's very do able.
     
  16. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:07 AM
    #16
    Beefed Taco

    Beefed Taco Taco Vending Machine

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    Plenty of options for your 5-lug.....even custom shock mounts for the flip. :thumbsup: btw guys, he's talking about doing a spring over which would leave him with 2 choices, using square u-bolts and 4x4/PR u-bolt plates, or also doing a u-bolt flip too, like in my 3rd pic. It needed to be long to keep the e-brake cable from contacting the shock on the 4x4 model.

    Captured 2004-8-12 00003.jpg
    Captured 2004-4-7 00003.jpg
    Captured 2004-8-9 00003.jpg
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    lead_tacoma-1.jpg
     
  17. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:14 AM
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    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Very little cost & time?
    For someone who's mechanically inclined, has a garage, and all the tools needed to do it..... Sure. But for someone who doesn't have much or any mechanical experience, doesn't have the room (garage), and doesn't have the tools /jacks/lifts/cutting grinding tools - it'll be expensive to pay people to do all the work.
     
  18. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:18 AM
    #18
    Beefed Taco

    Beefed Taco Taco Vending Machine

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    hahaha, just bring some pizza and beer and we'll turn that thing into a trophy truck...your $ is no good here....but there better be anchovies and the beer nothing less than Heineken.
     
  19. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:19 AM
    #19
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

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    nice shackles, got any for a 2nd gen?
     
  20. Oct 12, 2010 at 8:22 AM
    #20
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    Actually, for the scout lift I would just go this route.

    http://scoutparts.com/products/?view=product&product_id=14219
     

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