Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

Me too. I ended up getting a Diamond axle built with a 9.5" third. It works well, no issues with it at all.

Ya it just allows the drivetrain to not bind up when driving in tight parking lots and on the street. With the CDL on, it's just like a taco.

 

Diamond axle would obviously work too since you can get it however you want. FWIW, I have a spare 80 series rear diff (4.11) with e-locker.

 

That's definitely an option but DAMN they are expensive. Right now my biggest consideration is cost effectiveness vs toughness. The truck is still my DD and only vehicle and I'm trying to keep it that was as long as possible.

 

If I had the time, I would start with one of these and build it a little every paycheck. It's hard to find a stronger, higher clearance housing than this. Plus, two long side axles off an 80... man it would be sweet.
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/LC95HOS.html

 

If I decide against SAS that may be what I do. Any idea where the best place to find a 9.5 center is? Local junkyards don't have anything Toyota

 

I must admit, in the last 2 days ive learned more about these trucks in a more technical sense. This is what it's about.

 

car-part.com you can search any junkyard in the nation. Don't forget the Lexus LX450 is exactly the same as well. You want parts from 93-97 for the full floater stuff, 91-92 are semi-float and have drum brakes.

 

@SGTCap im running an fzj80 rear in my 1st gen taco. Its fine with the offset if you set your pinion up correctly. You dont need a centerd diff outback, the rear drivelines on these trucks are long enough to compensate for the angle.

Easy swap, brakes worked fine with the stock taco master. The hardest part was cutting all the brackets off the 80 axle with a 4" grinder and a sawzall.

 

Get on IH8MUD and check their parts classifieds.

 

You know offhand how wide that is?

 

63" wms to wms. Didnt look that much different than stock.

 

We're getting some really good information here that could be it's own thread. What would the mods think of a title like: "What to do with a fat bitch?"

I've got some more reading and research to do when I get off this 16hr shift. Ya'll have given me a lot of ideas. Thankfully OT buys parts

 

Heading out tomorrow at 0600. Two weeks on the road, Death Valley, Mojave, Phoenix, Joshua Tree, PCH and home. Clothes. Still need to pack clothes.

 

Don't forget to post updates!

 

If anyone is looking for the perfect aerodynamic expo trailer let me know. This one is local to me and I can go check it out for you.

https://houston.craigslist.org/rvs/5524050529.html

 

This is awesome! If only I had somewhere to put it...

 

Oh I won't.

 

It gets cold here too. My great grandpa recorded the coldest temp in Oregon at -54F. I know, I know, you've been swimming in colder. I was just illustrating that I have personally had my truck in a broad variety of terrain and conditions, and over that time I've built a strong bond with her. How many vehicles on this planet have done the Nuerburgring, the AlpenStrasse, the Mojave trail, and the OBDR? Exactly one, and it's in my driveway.

Edit: what ad?

Also Wisconsin barely makes the top ten list for coldest states (one degree colder than Oregon), and doesn't rate an honorable mention for coldest places on earth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state_temperature_extremes

 

And that is how you give someone an education.


And the day you sell or trade that truck I'm driving up there to beat some sense back into you. Then we're going to get your truck back. You don't let go of something that's been through that much with you.

 

I know I'd instantly regret getting rid of it. I've been beating on this thing for a decade. It blows my mind it still starts.

https://youtu.be/5YwBzcZHBTM