Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

The spline count is the input to the crawlbox and the output of the crawl box (input size on you tcase).

23 spline is stronger and bigger. However if your tcase is 21 spline, then its much easier to use 21 spline crawlbox otherwise you will need to upgrade the input in your tcase as well. Also the couplers to the tranny are according to spline count as well.

I have seen guys go either way. General consensus is to support the crawlbox as well, however there are many that aren't that are holding up just fine.

 

x2 I love the Ballistic joints. Only issue I had was a little warping from welding them to make shackle hangers. That made the threaded ring a bit challenging to get in and out... but I suck at welding anyway, I shouldn't have welded them so fast.. So it's an easily avoidable situation. They're awesome, overall, and simply bullet-proof.

I had zero issues with them.

 

Shit I'd buy that thing. Everything you need is there including new tires. You could tweak it and work out any kinks you have and bam, done. If it does drive down the road at 65 with no problems that seems pretty solid to me.

However I gues if you have a full shop and all the tools to build it you would want to build your own anyway. Not to mention tricks look so much cooler than SUVs

 

It would be a good idea to run a brace between the two cases and tie that into the crossmember.

 

Welp, 4runner is gone. Oh well. I'm used to wheeling the longer wheelbase trucks anyway. On the other hand, got some more parts in the mail

 

OOOOOOOO, nice parts
Fuck the 4runner, LONG WHEEL BASE FTMFW!!

 

Thanks for the help. Aren't all the 23 spline input shafts for the older gear driven cases? Is there anything I can do to upgrade/beef up my taco case other than cryo treat some (or all?) the parts?

Also, I know I'd have to get different length drive shafts. Is it difficult to cut/remove the old u-joint and weld up my own and have a shop balance them? Should I just buy some beefed up aftermarket parts and proceed with the aforementioned welding/balancing? Or am I better off just ordering some?

Lastly, Marlin? Inchworm? Or pick a color?

 

Yep...get a v6 t-case.

Not too bad to do yourself. Stick with the stock Toyota components...they are strond like bull. Theres a reason they make D60 axle to Toy driveshaft flanges.

Components are identical. Theres a few threads out there comparing early inchworm and Marlin stuff, but they are the same now, except for a slightly different oiling method on a bearing in the Marlin case. A bearing I have yet to see fail due to lack of lubrication.

Otherwise they are identical. Same double row 32 ball input shaft bearing, same heat-treated all-new output, same coupler.

I have an Inchworm at home and have physically verified that the differences toughted by Marlin aren't differences anymore.

Lastly Marling is more all inclusive, they inlcude a shifter and base, and shift knob.

I sourced my own shifter (ebay) and got a free knob from Inchworm, and save $600 over Marlins price. And that was upgrading to Marlins total spline input instead of the Trailgear one.

Keep the money in your pocket, buy Inchworm. Either will get the job done.

 

Didn't realize the v6 tacos had a different tcase. Are they still chain driven?

 

Seems 4 cyl tacos got 23 spline too...from Marlins site:

Found some info on marlins site..

**(1995+ 2.7L models);
-Chain driven, FORWARD SHIFT (23 spline input and 27 spline output) design with a drivers side drop and a 2.57:1 gear reduction.


6 Cylinder Models (1988-2006)

**(1988-1995 Pickups and 4Runners) Found with the 3.0L V6 was introduced in 1988 and survived until 1995.
-Chain Driven, Forward Shifting, 23 spline input shaft, transfer case with a passenger side output and a 2.57:1 gear reduction.
**(1995.5-current Tacoma & 1996-current 4runner)Found with the 3.4L V-6 introduced in the Tacoma.
-Chain Driven, Forward Shifting, 23 spline input shaft, transfer case with a drivers side output and a 2.57:1 gear reduction.

Anyways call inchworm and Josh will help you out and get you squared away.

 

Is there such thing as a factory 23 spl gear driven case? I know I have seen one but it could have had the inputs swapped.

 

Four cylinder turbo models came with a factory 23 spline input...rare but they do exist.

 

Well we shall see how the dual 21 spl cases do. I'm sure that the output is more of a weak spot than the inputs are. If I remember its the opposite on the taco cases minus the fact supratt broke his output.

 

Called Inchworm and he did confirm the tcase has 23 spline.

I was lying under the truck today and realized that with all the cutting and modifying I want to do to the frame there's not going to be much left of the OEM frame except for under the cab haha

Call me stupid, but would it be a bad idea to build an entirely new frame from the ground up, rather than hacking the other one up to little bits? I'm not sure if there are any regulations concerning that, issues with the VIN (or lack thereof), or if it varies from state to state. Should I just call up the DMV?

 

Personally, I would leave the original frame under the cab, and just do the custom frame foward of the front body mounts and aft of the cab... Less work and it should be plenty strong under there.

 

Back end would be chopped right behind the cab and redone too.

 

I know. I think that's fine.

vvvv

I think the DMV would be fine with a totally custom frame (not sure though) but I just think it'd be more trouble than its worth..

Just do this

 

That's not far off from what I had in mind.

I thought if I just made a new frame, it would be easier to access while building/welding and I could incorporate a flat belly into the design, fab some new sliders, and not have to worry about body lift, etc. Plus if I leave the suspension and frame intact, it might be halfway sell-able?

 

These are a lot bigger than I thought