What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Curious as to why a 2nd gen rear axle and not a 1st gen tundra axle. I've never heard of the 2nd gen axle swap before

 

Stock locker

 

I could be mistaken but I believe the reason why most LT kits are 3.5 is that it fits the Tundra axel which fits the Tacoma with minor modifications. Any other length and you will need a custom made axel or convert to 2wd.

 

The 2nd gen axle is not as wide, and would fit a +2 better. As far as I know my 4:88s and harrop 3rd are interchangeable.

 

This is at the heart of my initial question. If the 2nd gen front axle is the same length as ours, could we use their +2 inner shafts? And if not, how hard would it be to make one that does work.

I guess, for me, it all comes down to this: whether you think +2 is a waste or not, there's obviously a market for it in the 2nd/3rd gen world. Why not let the best gen play as well?

 

Front Rang Offroad was toying with the idea of a +2 kit for a while. Been like 3 years though since the prototype so I'd say its a dead project.

Just no market in 1st gen stuff anymore.

Trying to find that article that explains the differences in the tundra CVs..

It just costs a LOT to justify it. For new uppers and lowers you're looking at 2.5k alone at least. Then custom CV axles makes it all the more a PITA and more expensive. If I recall right geting the outers off is a bitch. Not gonna find a lot of folks that will cough up over 3 grand for a kit when you can get a +3.5 for the same price or less.

Yeah certainly not worth it. Its only 1'' wider per side so don't get a big advantage with outboard shocks either or a better diff. LC axle would be better though its only 1.25'' wider per side but you get a 9.5'' diff at least.

mm no. Its the same locker and diffs.

No modifications needed to fit, they bolt right in with a LT kit. YOu do want to modify the inner Cup to get maximum travel though so it won't bind.

Doesn't matter if they are the same length, they are a different spline count all together.

That and I know they aren't the same length..

 

I don't know but I'd sure want to find out before buying an LT kit

 

@drr

"The Tacoma tripod-type inner CV’s are inferior to the 6-ball Tundra true Constant Velocity joints."

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/project669.html

 

Maybe I misunderstood but I thought he was comparing a tundra axle (no lockers) to a 2nd gen axle which could have a locker

 

That front range kit is the whole reason I'm on fire for +2

The "no market for it" I just don't understand. Why make a +3.5 kit then?

Forn2nd/3rd gens the cost is similar for the 2 platforms and, in my opinion, reasonable.

I didn't realize the 2nd gen axles are only 2 inches wider. I thought they were bigger than that. That does make things a bit less "easy".

As far as the spline count goes, aren't 2nd gens also using tundra axles for +3.5? Are they using a different year range than us?

 

Does the Tundra outer fit on the Tacoma shaft?

 

Also, I don't know if anyone makes a coilover that would work for +2. All in all, this is probably a dead end. Sux tho.

 

The 3.5’s have been around forever, making a new 2 kit for a dying gen doesn’t make sense, even more so cause most people aren’t modding them like that anymore

 

I'm pretty sure it was built specifically around the Tundra axel. Why make a custom axel?

I'm prett sure that is why the 2nd gen kits are generally only +2 but I'm not sure what axel they use but I'm willing to bet its not a custom one.

 

yeah but thats not really a good argument. Sure the Tundra only came with the 8.4 diff(Did come with an LSD sometimes) while the tacoma had the 8'' elocker or 8.4'' diff. So it can be an advantage on any front if you have an 8.4 with a locker..you just swap the axle. If you don't and want an e locker then you could swap to that if you wanted. Be a lot of fab work for that so I don't think it would be worth it compared to bolting in a 1st gen elocker axle if you really just wanted a simple locker swap.

I mean I was very interested in it too. But I've emailed them 3 times about it over the last 2 years and never get anything back.

The +3.5 kit was made when they figured out, holy shit the tundra axles swap over super easy! So they did that and doubled the suspension travel. Its like on Nissians Frontiers where you can literally just swap the Titain arms over and axles and Bam...Long travel.

Yeah not a lot wider. Remember they don't have to be because the frame is dovetailed to run the outboard shocks. It doesn't help your cause as you'd have to shave the axle and reweld perches on it..but have to do that with any axle swap haha But you don't gain a lot from it, not like it won't help if you want outboard shocks but you'll still need a spacer.

No the 2nd gens all use custom CV shafts for their LT kits. Why there are +2 and +3.5 kits.

And there isn't a market because...well there isn't. 2nd gens out sold 1st gens MAJORLY. Like 2 to 1 or higher. With 3rd gens now out, and the fact they use the same frame..same suspension..those mods are still going strong and the majority of people with money to blow moved to 3rd gens or realized used 2nd gens are not super affordable for a bigger tacoma and moved to that. Most 1st gen owners are old folks just putting around not giving a shit about mods, High school kids/College kids in their first vehicles with no money, or just people just driving them into the ground enjoying them stock.

You can look at all the big aftermarket companies and even more at the small specialty shops. They don't stock any 1st gen stuff anymore. BAMF hardly does, Relentless doesnt, ect. No one was buying gear.

So getting someone to R&D a whole new +2 kit for a tiny market and getting smaller all the time...not very likely.

Not certain..

Well the FROR kit was going to use a standard coilover, however it was odd geometery, no sure how that would work. 2nd gens run the same 8'' coilover on +2 or +3.5 kits.

 

Booooo.

The explanations help, but not much. Maybe I'll revisit the idea of +3.5. +2 would've been so sweet tho.

 

Yes your 3rd member would swap directly onto a 2nd gen rear axle housing. I don’t understand why anyone would do that or a tundra axle though. Same weak semi-float design with drum brakes. All you get is a little extra width. Go with an LC rear axle - huge 9.5” ring gear, full float, disc brakes, and is about the same width as a 2nd gen. Tons of aftermarket support as well.

I am definitely going to have to get one and try to frankenstein a CV together to see. Although I’ve never blown up the tulip joint, so if the outer joint is the same is it really worthwhile?

 

Oh.

I doubt it. Looking at pictures, the length of the overall bearing is off. Besides, my suspension doesnt articulate enough to warrant an inner C/V.

 

Soldered up some 100 Ohm 3W resistors for the map and dome lights.

 

I don't think it will work. And not needed unless your inner's are binding. With my extended travel kings, mine don't bind

Check out the pics here: Will need a slightly longer shaft to work as far as I can tell.

https://www.offroadsolutions.com/tech-info/high-angle-cv-boot-kit/