Best Source for Front Axle Upgrades?

TLC76 · 11-04-09, 09:19 AM

I've been researching front axle options here, and have come to the conclusion that 30 spline chromo axles and chromo hub gears is the way to go. I will be running the stock front axle with 4.10's and a Lock-Right, with 37's (350 Chevy twisting the components).
I've been looking around online, and have found axle sets from about $550 to $650, some of which require mini truck knuckles which I don't want to deal with if I can help it. Found the hub gears for around $70 each

. What's the best source for these axles those of you who have done them? I don't want to order the wrong thing, and prefer to buy from a vendor with a good rep here. It seems to me that it's gonna cost me $800 or so by the time it lands on my doorstep.
Also, what other items should be replaced when swapping out axles? I'll check bearing play and that sort of thing of course, just wondering what seals etc- I may overlook.
Also, from what I've read the rear axles should be ok with 37's? I have a Detroit for the back also.

bustanutley · 11-04-09, 09:45 AM

longfield

LC_Hamma · 11-04-09, 10:49 AM

mini truck knuckles which I don't want to deal with

Magnum studs or ARP & minitruck knuckles, dump the small pattern you have. Six Shooters if your sure you never want to get 1/2 of what you're spending to polish these up.

TLC76 · 11-04-09, 10:49 AM

Do all Longfields require the mini truck knuckles? How difficult/expensive are they to find?

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/4runaxles.htm

Poser · 11-04-09, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC76

Do all Longfields require the mini truck knuckles? How difficult/expensive are they to find?

Welcome to Low Range Off-Road, your off-road parts and accessories source for your Suzuki, Toyota, and Jeep

No, they do not. Those folks appear to not know what they are talking about...

Simply purchase what you need from Longfield and be done with it.

30 spline super set and chromo lockout gears.

If you have a disc brake Land Cruiser front axle, you will be able to install these axles. If you want to run the chromo lockout gears, you will need to find the OEM lockouts that were used on 1979 and later 40/55/60 series or solid axle(pre-1986) mini trucks/4Runners....

What size tire are you going to run?

Are you spring over?

Lil'John · 11-04-09, 11:19 AM

As they say... one stop at longfield and be done with it.

OTOH, I wouldn't touch trail gear even though they are the only company manufacturing a 6 stud knuckle. This is due to some morally bankrupt practices they employed in the past.

TLC76 · 11-04-09, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

No, they do not. Those folks appear to not know what they are talking about...

If you have a disc brake Land Cruiser front axle, you will be able to install these axles. If you want to run the chromo lockout gears, you will need to find the OEM lockouts that were used on 1979 and later 40/55/60 series or solid axle(pre-1986) mini trucks/4Runners....

What size tire are you going to run?

Are you spring over?

I am runnning 37's, spring over. How necessary are the chromo lockouts with my setup? I have a '76 with the front discs.

bustanutley · 11-04-09, 11:43 AM

If/when you break a hub do you want to void the warrantee on your shiny now striped longfield?

Josie'sLandCruiser · 11-04-09, 08:10 PM

Hi All:

As "Nutley" said, Longfield requires an upgraded lock-out gear for warranty reasons with their 30 spline Super Set.

The cheap way to swap over is to get a set of the Toyota manual lock-out hubs from a 1986-95 4wd pick-up or 4Runner. The Longfield hub gear will swap into these hubs, allowing them to be used on the older solid front axle.

Good luck!

Alan

------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC76

I am runnning 37's, spring over. How necessary are the chromo lockouts with my setup? I have a '76 with the front discs.

Bret · 11-05-09, 11:27 AM

While you have it apart the Marlin axle seals wouldn't hurt either. Depending on the axle you may need to grind a little out of the inside of the knuckle ball. If your axle is a stock 76 your "best" answer will be to swap the "Selectro" hubs (if you don't they will jump off the truck by themselves when you start to abuse it) over to the Aisins if they aren't already there. the hubs on your 76 are a little longer than the mini truck hubs (the stock birf is a little longer too). If you look up aisins there were a few pictures showing the differences. Just do a little homework before you buy the gears. If you keep the stock length hubs you can use a washer and a bolt to hold the Longfield in place. Once you start to put it together it will all be clear as MUD!

camcruiser13 · 11-05-09, 11:32 AM

longfields all the way

TLC76 · 11-05-09, 07:15 PM

My buddy has the hubs from the '95 4runner I just sold back to him, I'll get those from him. So the Longfields are the correct length for the IFS hubs?

Bret · 11-06-09, 04:47 PM

With the right hub gear.

TLC76 · 11-06-09, 07:18 PM

All this talk of upgrading the front, and I break the back. Went to give the neighbor a ride around the block, and I punch it and all hell breaks loose. Best I can tell, the pinion sheared off at the driveshaft, fell into the diff and locked it up. In the process it punched through the case. So I'm skidding down the street dumping fluid. Had to use the jack and 4 neighbors to get it back into my driveway. Time for a beer.

bustanutley · 11-06-09, 08:08 PM

got a wrap bar on your sprung over truck?

CruisinFJ60 · 11-06-09, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustanutley

got a wrap bar on your sprung over truck?

x2
if not my guess is axle wrap

Bret · 11-06-09, 09:54 PM

Been there done that, just on a little hill. Do you need the housing/pinion etc? I have some extra but your likely to find them closer than Florida.

There will most likely be a wrap bar in your future!

Pinion look like this?

TLC76 · 11-07-09, 08:20 AM

No wrap bar (isn't learning fun?). I have a line on one here, thanks though. Guess I better do some antiwrap research.

TLC76 · 11-09-09, 05:23 PM

Ok, per the recomendations of the gurus here, I am going to go with the Longfield 30 spline chromo set and the chromo hub gears. I'm planning on using the IFS hubs (Aisin) off my '95 4runner, from what I understand these will work with the Longfields? Just want to make sure I order things right the first time. (This is of course the '76 axle with discs).

Bret · 11-09-09, 08:28 PM

Just doublecheck with Bobby when you order and it will work out great. You may want to order the o-rings for the hubs while you have them apart to swap the gear out.