Please help!! Centered rear end options

SoCal · 06-30-08, 09:51 PM

Hey guys,

I'm a young rookie that has always liked these fj40's, so I bought myself a started project. I feel that i got a good deal ($3500). Guy started a frame off resto. Frame has been powder coated. The whole undercarriage is great. The engine alone was probably worth more than half of what i paid for. Anyway, here's the deal.

It wasn't running and i obviously knew that. I knew i had to throw on a transfer case and tranny b4 i could run it. I thought it was gonna be easier so clearly i underestimated the complexity of the project. And i've gotten myself into some trouble!!!

The set up i planned for is (since i bought that already):
TH400 w/ np205.

Problem is i didn't account for the rear end. BIG OOOPS. The drive shaft will not line up w/ stock rear end. The angle from the t-case to the rear end is too much. So i need to swap out the original differential to a centered one. I'm considering a dana 60 or ford 9 inch. What do you guys recommend?

And i've read the tech article: Land Cruiser Centered Rear Diff Options - Land Cruiser Tech from IH8MUD.com

Joe Egolf · 06-30-08, 10:00 PM

A lot of cruiser for $3500 IMOP

pr0ject42 · 06-30-08, 10:02 PM

Hell, if you're in a crunch, grab a mini rear end. One less than 86 should match your width. 86+ they widened the rears a bit to match up with the IFS front.

Should be nice and cheap, lots of gears and locker options. And hey, you're half way to a SOA!

LC_Hamma · 06-30-08, 10:13 PM

Most co$t effective option if you want to stay maxed out at 30 splines (w/o goin to full float & rebroached RD33 ARB - 35 spline) & keep your 3rd member, gears, locker, etc:
Custom Axles

DHONDAGOD · 06-30-08, 11:00 PM

A minitruck rear end will get you up and running quick and cheap. Brakes are better than stock cruiser stuff too IMO... I had one in my crusier for a year before doing my cruiser/mini hybred centerd rear end that went in when I back-halfed and linked the rear suspension.

Search for my buildup over on pirate4x4.com. Its in the sticky at the top of the page in the LC secton under "all the buildup threads"

If I had alot of money Id do a TrueHi9 in the back of mine.
Other options are standard 9", early cruiser, custom 60 or 14bolt, etc...

Chris

SoCal · 07-01-08, 05:31 PM

Hmm interesting. I hadn't considered those other options, but they make sense. I know money is an issue but I rather save up enough til i can do it the right way(so it will take a while b4 i have it running). I want to go w/ something strong so i don't have to worry as much when i'm on a trail.

In the past I did stuff the cheaper way and I ended up paying later.

jagota · 07-01-08, 05:52 PM

TLC in Van Nuys has a centered LC axle for sale. Give them a call. It would swap right in.

06-30-08, 09:51 PM	#1
SoCal IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Live in San Diego. Up in LA often Posts: 4	Please help!! Centered rear end options Hey guys, I'm a young rookie that has always liked these fj40's, so I bought myself a started project. I feel that i got a good deal ($3500). Guy started a frame off resto. Frame has been powder coated. The whole undercarriage is great. The engine alone was probably worth more than half of what i paid for. Anyway, here's the deal. It wasn't running and i obviously knew that. I knew i had to throw on a transfer case and tranny b4 i could run it. I thought it was gonna be easier so clearly i underestimated the complexity of the project. And i've gotten myself into some trouble!!! The set up i planned for is (since i bought that already): TH400 w/ np205. Problem is i didn't account for the rear end. BIG OOOPS. The drive shaft will not line up w/ stock rear end. The angle from the t-case to the rear end is too much. So i need to swap out the original differential to a centered one. I'm considering a dana 60 or ford 9 inch. What do you guys recommend? And i've read the tech article: Land Cruiser Centered Rear Diff Options - Land Cruiser Tech from IH8MUD.com Last edited by SoCal; 07-28-08 at 10:08 PM.

06-30-08, 10:00 PM	#2
Joe Egolf IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: W.Suffield Ct Posts: 437	rear end A lot of cruiser for $3500 IMOP __________________ 1981 BJ42

06-30-08, 10:13 PM	#4
LC_Hamma The Anti-Leafer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas, Georgia TLCA# 3343 Posts: 1,699	Most co$t effective option if you want to stay maxed out at 30 splines (w/o goin to full float & rebroached RD33 ARB - 35 spline) & keep your 3rd member, gears, locker, etc: Custom Axles __________________ '73 FJ55 http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/76835-pig-chebby-avalanche-trim-%3D.html '73 FJ40 http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q...&addtype=local '78 FJ40 - future crawler in pieces '93 Ram W350 5 spd. SRW CTD '99 Ram 3500 4X4 5 spd. DRW CTD '74 BMW 3.0CS future project

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06-30-08, 10:02 PM	#3
pr0ject42 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 133	Hell, if you're in a crunch, grab a mini rear end. One less than 86 should match your width. 86+ they widened the rears a bit to match up with the IFS front. Should be nice and cheap, lots of gears and locker options. And hey, you're half way to a SOA!

06-30-08, 11:00 PM	#5
DHONDAGOD IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Got glitter?????? TLCA# 15288 Posts: 304	A minitruck rear end will get you up and running quick and cheap. Brakes are better than stock cruiser stuff too IMO... I had one in my crusier for a year before doing my cruiser/mini hybred centerd rear end that went in when I back-halfed and linked the rear suspension. Search for my buildup over on pirate4x4.com. Its in the sticky at the top of the page in the LC secton under "all the buildup threads" If I had alot of money Id do a TrueHi9 in the back of mine. Other options are standard 9", early cruiser, custom 60 or 14bolt, etc... Chris

07-01-08, 05:31 PM	#6
SoCal IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Live in San Diego. Up in LA often Posts: 4	Hmm interesting. I hadn't considered those other options, but they make sense. I know money is an issue but I rather save up enough til i can do it the right way(so it will take a while b4 i have it running). I want to go w/ something strong so i don't have to worry as much when i'm on a trail. In the past I did stuff the cheaper way and I ended up paying later.

07-01-08, 05:52 PM	#7
jagota IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 46	TLC in Van Nuys has a centered LC axle for sale. Give them a call. It would swap right in.