Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

Ahh, I see. It is probably just the angle of the pic that makes it look narrow. Didn't realize yours was a 2nd gen until you mentioned it lol

I also went with 4.5 backspaced wheels for the same reasons you did... and the tires still stick out quite a bit. But mine is a 1st Gen

Going full width is nice 'cause you certainly have more more for placement of things; and it makes it a bit easier to work on things; plus more stability, etc. I have no regrets.

Sorry I missed the information you may have already posted, but what are your plans for the front?

 

Lol yep second gen it is. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

As for the front, I'm going with a kingpin axle which I'll start getting together soon. I'm really just using ruffstuff promo codes to get stuff as they come around lol. Got the rear axle squared away first so I can keep the truck on the road until I can do the front and still get something done. Current work schedule doesn't allow me a lot of time off to get stuff done so gotta make the most of it.

 

I went with 10 oz of dynabeads in each. I'll find out this weekend how smooth (or not) it is. Not too worried because it's mainly a trailered rig, but want it to be bearable for the times I do drive it on the road.

 

Looks good Brad. I'm ready for Jambo. Should be a blast as usual.

 

Haha I also used ruffstuff promo codes. Always waited for the Memorial Day, 4th July, Father's Day, Halloween, etc. sales. It really saved a good chunk of money that way. In fact, I have never bought anything from them without a promo code

I went back/forward a million times on the ball joint vs kingpin decision. I know many guys have strong opinions about which axle is better. Personally, I think both are great options.

Both have pros and cons. I think the kingpin, if built right, will require less maintenance in the long-term. You'll probably go through a few sets of ball joints before you have to touch the kingpins.

Actually, many guys replace the kingpins when they are building the axles without actually needing to do it. Very rare to see busted ones...but they are relatively cheap, so why not replace them while the axle is apart? However, as you know they are a BITCH to remove [have to heat the crap out of them] and also require over 600lbs of torque I think upon installation lol It can be a real PITA.

Having said that, the 2005 and up ball joint super duty axles are really impressive. Have you seen those axle up close? The knuckles, ball joints and axle tubes are massive; bigger than any other D60 prior. They also come with 35spline shafts all around from factory. If I were going to build a rig with a ball joint D60, I would go that route. The only drawback is that they use unit bearings...which are damn expensive. So when the time comes to replace those the wallet will not be happy. I think there is a kit to convert the unit bearings to traditional bearings but it is over a grand [maybe it is for the earlier ball joint axles only...can't remember]

I ended up with a kingpin axle from a F350 from the 80s.. There are better steering options for the kingping D60s. I have Artec's arms with double sheer. Really nice and strong design that frees up space, which makes the steering set up a lot easier. They also eliminate the need to use the traditional kingpin springs and have zerk fittings. So adjustment and lubrication of the kingpins is easier. Don't have to remove anything. Just adjust the set screw from the top of the steering arm and use a mini grease gun through the zerk. But there are other aftermarket steering options that are very good as well for the kingpin D60.

Really happy with the kingpin choice and so far no regrets. It is probably the last front axle I will ever build. If I move into a different vehicle platform I will just transplant the axle into the next vehicle.

 

Any recommendations on 17 in aluminum wheels and what backspacing for toyota axle? Just ordered some 37" pro comp tires. Not looking for beadlocks but something with a removable rock ring.

 

Get beadlocks they are worth the money!!!

 

I'm pretty sure at some point I'll be able to claim my truck was built solely on ruffstuff promo codes lol

I'm pretty set on a kingpin axle now. Highly considering buying a housing from ECGS with just Reid inner Cs and building the rest on my own from there.

I went through your build and really like your knuckle/histeer combo a lot. Just wanna overbuild it and take my time now when it matters and not later on. Especially with a heavy ass second gen.

 

So you ended up going with bigger tires. It happens to all of us
[I think I remember you saying you would never go bigger than 35"s in a different post....though I may be confusing you with somebody else ]

The housing from ECGS seems awesome because I think they fabricate it from new parts and can do custom lenghts. I thought about going that route once upon a time. But if you have them build the whole thing you are looking at a really expensive axle!

Either way it will be time and money I think. If you go the custom ECGS route it might be more expensive, but it saves you time. If you find a kingpin at a junkyard it saves you money but then you have to rebuild the whole thing hub-to-hub which takes time [the parts can be sourced relatively cheaply online]

 

I'll tell you what. My rear is a custom ECGS axle really and I went with all the bling parts too. Glad I did it. Otherwise It'd be sitting in my garage collecting dust like back in my jeep days. They're great guys and a 15 min drive from me. They use the newer d60 center section that has better clearance.

 

ECGS is a great group of guys. They've always taken care of me really well in the past. Other vendors could take a lesson from them on how to do business.

 

Agreed 100%

Forgot to add earlier, aside from swapping in a 1330 to 1350 ujoint my driveshaft required no shortening at all.

 

Always wanted to go to 37s since the beginning. I was happy with 35s when I was dding and driving it to the trails bit now that I have a dd/tow pig and access to a trailer it was time to upgrade lol
And tired of showing up to trails and being told I can't go cause my tires aren't big enough or I won't make it lol...

 

When I went 37's I knew it was time for a trailer. The Taco still had decent power on the highway with 35" Hankook MT's and made a pretty good DD. After 37" PBR's you needed ear plugs on a drive of any length and if the wind was blowing the wrong way, I was aerodynamically limited to about 70. Now I set the cruise at 75 in the Ford and forget the trailer is behind me

 

Couldn't agree more. After trailering it to Rubicon and Moab and sand hollow, anything over 2 hours is worth the effort of pulling everything out and not having to worry about.

 

Ahh, so your rear axle is custom made from ECGS. That's awesome man. I think you made a great decision, and if you source the front axle through them it will be awesome as well. For me time is more important than saving a few hundred dollars here and there

Agree. I've been impressed with their customer service. I would say ruff stuff and ECGS have the best customer service in the industry.

My rear driveshaft did not require any surgery other than to mate it with the factory 1410 ujoint that came with the late model 14bolt.

haha that's great. A SAS is a big project, so it makes sense to get the biggest tire you can fit in there.

With 40"s I am certainly in for a lot of fun on the highway lol. Planning to get a set of 35" AT's for daily driving and will just have to deal with a slower ride with the 40"s when I go wheeling.

 

Getting a little closer. Links are in just need to do the final weldout and add more bracing to the lower link mounts on the frame

 

Nice! Now that thing is finally starting to take shape

Are you planning to pimp that axle? I've heard those factory Ford knuckles are notorious for cracking...and you have some big tires going into that rig.

 

Yeah, the axles will be the last thing to get built. I have a lot of the parts already, Gears, rebuild kits and ARBs. still need knuckles and RCVs. But making it a running truck again has been the first priority.

 

Cool. That makes sense.

I thought about RCVs but the thought didn't last too long Those things are like two grand for the these axles That's just insane. But I did upgrade the knuckles.