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Hit a wall deciding on which front axle to use in my sas

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Eurotarded, Apr 2, 2019.

  1. Apr 2, 2019 at 2:51 PM
    #1
    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    Hey guys new to the thread and forum here but I have read a lot of yalls comments and threads on sas. I’m sure this question has been asked before but I have hit a wall deciding on a axle. I know I’m going leaf sprung for simplicity purposes but my main question is concerning the different types of d44 front axles I should consider. I know it needs driver side diff housing ect but I’ve seen some swaps done with low pinion and it was shimmed and caster was angled and some haven’t and I’ve seen the high pinion shimmed as well as not. I’m trying to find the best starting donor axle as far as if I should low pinion with Wagoneer and if it has to be modified for caster or if I should high pinion with Chevy or ford and do a hub swap for lug pattern or if there is already a ford or Chevy or Jeep axle hp with the width similar to my e locker rear end that does not need the c’s cut and rotated. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated
     
  2. Apr 2, 2019 at 2:54 PM
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    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    I'm kind of a purist and would want a land cruiser axle or something.

    There's a sub-forum that's dedicated to SAS, you might look here:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/solid-axle-suspension.123/
     
  3. Apr 2, 2019 at 3:01 PM
    #3
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    It is sort of decide what axle you like or the truck you can find with one in

    there is no best it is what you do to the axle after you decide

    It all depends on your fab skills.

    Another option is checking out the kits on the market.

    Over the years I have fixed a few that got the axle in side ways

    My favorite is the Land Cruiser or Pick up or 4 runners axle no rejection drugs needed for foreign parts .
     
    Eurotarded[OP] likes this.
  4. Apr 2, 2019 at 3:57 PM
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    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    I understand that fab work is necessary for this sas regardless of axle it’s unavoidable and I’m a decent fab tech but if there is a “golden” front axle that doesn’t need shimmed or the c”s rotated that has the 6x6.5 hubs then that’s the one I would like to find. As far as the land cruiser axle I will definitely look into that option. My main concern is I plan on overlanding and dd this truck and I will have a m1102 trailer behind it so a good front axle headed correctly is what I’m going for. Just wanted info on the the “best starting points” for axle options. Trace width etc
     
  5. Apr 2, 2019 at 4:17 PM
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    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    :rofl:


    It seems like any axle you get from another vehicle will need a bunch of fab to it just to get it to fit on a Taco. You pretty much start with bare tubes anyway.

    If you've seen any of the Aussie guys, they use the CRAP out of the 'cruiser axles. Towing, overlanding, etc... way out in the boonies of the outback. They like their trailers too. If a cruiser axle is good enough for the aussies, it's good enough for us in the States, lol...

    There's also this:

    no experience with it, but it seems pretty legit.
    http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...assaulttm-fully-built-front-axle-housing.html
     
  6. Apr 2, 2019 at 4:50 PM
    #6
    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    Of coarse there will be fab lol unavoidable. But if I can use a high pinion axle and not have to shim it to caster it then I would rather get that one. And if I find those ones in a 6x6.5 lug pattern instead of a hub swap then I would prefer those as well. No need for wasted fab work if the axle already comes with or is already what I need to limit the amount of fab. I greatly appreciate the quick replies though!! I’ll look into the land cruiser axles and see what I find there. Any other info is appreciated!
     
  7. Apr 2, 2019 at 5:24 PM
    #7
    Toyoland66

    Toyoland66 Well-Known Member

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    Are you keeping the stock t-case?

    Land Cruiser axles are all passenger side drop. You would have to flip the housing if using a junkyard axle, and if a cut & turn has you leery then maybe you don’t want to tackle a flip. You would want a Fj60/62 axle it’s the same width as a 1st gen taco rear. I wouldn’t bother with a 80 axle the steering adds significant cost to run with SOA leafs.

    For cost/ strength/ availability I would look at a set of 05+ super duty axles, you would be surprised how much easier they are to find and not that expensive. You are looking at trucks from the 80s to find a donor D44 or Toyota axle.
     
  8. Apr 2, 2019 at 5:33 PM
    #8
    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    now That’s good info to have right there thanks!! I don’t have a problem rotating the c’s on a low pinion Dana 44 or shimming the axle to leaf with a degree shim if that’s necessary. I was just simply seeing what axle gives the less modification needed to swap in my truck. Seems you’ve talked me out of the fj axles ☺️ Thanks. I’ll see what I can find as far as those axles to use. Any suggestions or input on what that axle needs to be modified to work?
     
  9. Apr 2, 2019 at 5:35 PM
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    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    Are those axles the Dana 60?
     
  10. Apr 2, 2019 at 5:39 PM
    #10
    ryans4x4

    ryans4x4 Well-Known Member

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  11. Apr 2, 2019 at 6:11 PM
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    Toyoland66

    Toyoland66 Well-Known Member

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    If you’re asking about the super duty axles yes the front is.

    8 lug but IMO worth it considering the overall expense and amount of work that goes into a SAS.
     
  12. Apr 2, 2019 at 7:05 PM
    #12
    Eurotarded

    Eurotarded [OP] Member

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    Well I’ve found a couple of those decently priced but can’t find anything regarding a hub swap or adapter to convert it to 6x6.5 to keep it the same. I already have 8x6.5 on the military wheels of the trailer I got
     
  13. Apr 7, 2019 at 9:24 AM
    #13
    slander

    slander Honorary Crawl Boi

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    I would do an fj60/62 axle (that's what I used) but instead of doing an axle flip, install a gear drive passenger drop transfer case out of a mini truck. All you need is an adapter plate, and do some exhaust re working on the pax side. The other nice part is the 60/62 series axles are much cheaper than the 80 stuff and use easier and cheaper to find mini truck hubs and kunckles.
     
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