Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

You can also keep ABS running LC axles, Marks 4wd makes a kit to put the front axle tone rings on the wheel hub so you can run part time, stock LC 80s are full time AWD and the tone ring is on the birfield.

 

The 80 rear passenger drop is no big deal on a Tacoma. Fuel tank is on the driver’s side so it fits fine. Mine has no vibes either. Easy to flip a front housing for drivers drop too.

I would run a flipped 60/62 front before an 80 front for most of the reasons you listed. Bigger birfs aren’t worth the hassle to me and you are still stuck with the HP 8” third.

 

the bigger birfields aren't really the advantage, with chromos most people are breaking shafts or R&P before birfs. The advantage is the bigger knuckles with wider trunnion spacing puts less stress on the trunnion bearings, also wider bolt pattern on the steering knuckles.



80 axle vs 60 axle

 

first time I see a pic comparison between those two.

The balls are certainly much bigger on the 80

 

Because the 80 axle is HP 8" instead of a 9.5" like the 60/62. The 80 birfs are way stronger than mini truck stuff.

Trunion bearing eliminators from TG fix any of the issues from stock trunion bearings...I literally never think about my trunions until I'm taking apart a knuckle and remember how much easier they are than actual bearings. They are great

 

About to start the parts gathering process. $397 for a 07 superduty axle Already pulled. Will be going with a 10.5 for the rear to keep it matching

 

Heck of a deal. I paid a grand for my late 80's kingpin

Read the posts above. See if you can find the mileage on that thing. Unit bearings - the good ones - are expensive. Even more expensive if you want to do a live spindle conversion.

REID has something now for the steering. there's also a guy on pirate (Weaver Fabrication I believe) that can machine your knuckles and he includes new steering arms for the price. Otherwise figuring the steering might be a bitch. If you go that route I would get new ball joints while in there.

It's a heck of a monstrous axle. With the factory 35spline shafts all around you can start running at least 40"s easily. The axle won't feel it a bit.

 

I think most people running links don't need high steer, it's only really necessary with SOA leafs to keep the drag link from interfering with the leaf springs. Low steer is easier to package unless you chop the frame rails.

 

@xweslingx showed me that weaver Fab site and for both knuckles to get done it’s 500 with arms.

In regards to the bearings that’s the downside to the axle. Very expensive bearings. Going to go 3 link and cut some of the casting off to make room for the links.

Tires I want to run 40s so figured this axle will be best.

Haven’t looked much into the manual hub part but will be doing so shortly.

 

$190 for timken unit bearings doesn't seem that bad, those fuckers are cheaper than Tacoma unit bearings.

 

I was going to do the 4x4 conversion but after adding it up I can buy front and rear axles plus a case for the cost of the swap. Inchworm has 5-7 adapters left and are not making anymore. Price went from 475 to 200 on them so I’m snagging one very soon

 

The prerunner adapter? What case are you going to run?

And what steering box are you planning on?

Only thing I would say to keep in mind is how long the SAS will take, it seems like a lot of people have the truck down for a lot longer than they anticipated, so hopefully you have a backup if its your DD.

 

Don’t plan on the swap taking place for a year or so. I’m just gathering right now so it’s not a hard hit later. Hopefully my job position will aid the process by having a company car.

Yes, prerunner adapter and plan is to run a fj case

Steering is going to be hydro assist and I believe the ifs box mounted as far forward as possible. I know sometimes the core support next to the radiator needs to be trimmed depending on how far forward.

This will be my first link syspension but have done 2 other leaf swaps on s10s.

 

i have a picutre of what can be cut off of the casting somewhere. weaver also has full time slugs if you want to go that route and just use the locker for 4wd engagement. or run the stock manual hubs till they bust

 

Don't get the prerunner adapter. Save the money and just buy an atlas. Price almist comes out to the same. There's a reason they are discounting the part and it's because it constantly leaks... or I'll sell you my dual cases with the prerunner adapter and you can try to make them work

 

I've seen people around here use the factory manual locking hubs when they swap the SD axles. Don't know much about them, or what issues they might have.

The cutting of the casting will probably the most tedious part of the project. Then you have to reweld around the exposed areas around the axle tube. There are some threads on pirate showing how some guys cut the casting; somebody even created a template if I remember correctly.

Apparently the factory units wear out fast especially with big ass tires. Spidertrax and Currie make beefed up ones but those sell for $300 - $500 EACH

Slugs are a good cheap solution.

 

The unit bearings will be the least of your worries with that axle

 

What’s the biggest worry ?

 

Would still need to either swap the trans or run the adapter

 

Call advanced adapters. Last time I talked to them they have something that will work with the 2wd trans.