Front Axle Rebuild Kits???

[TX80Fan]

My cruiser has approx. 106k and is going to need the front axle rebuilt in the near future...some birf soup appears to be a brewin'. I'm trying to decide where to purchase a complete front axle rebuild kit. So far, the choices are from the following:

- C-Dan...Toyota OEM
- MAF...???
- Cruiser Outfiiters...w/Koyo wheel bearings
- Marlin Crawler...???

Which kit do ya'll think represents the best value? Please steer me in any direction for a good deal if possible...I'm cheap! Also, any other suggestions? Thanks all...

[beno]

Originally Posted by TX80Fan

My cruiser has approx. 106k and is going to need the front axle rebuilt in the near future...some birf soup appears to be a brewin'. I'm trying to decide where to purchase a complete front axle rebuild kit. So far, the choices are from the following:

- C-Dan...Toyota OEM
- MAF...???
- Cruiser Outfiiters...w/Koyo wheel bearings
- Marlin Crawler...???

Which kit do ya'll think represents the best value? Please steer me in any direction for a good deal if possible...I'm cheap! Also, any other suggestions? Thanks all...

You need to stop thinking in terms of "what is a good deal" and start thinking more in terms of "what parts do I need to correctly solve the problem."

-o-

[Joe Egolf]

I bought the Marlin Crawler kit with his HD seals for $85.Kit is complete and seals are awesome

[TX80Fan]

Originally Posted by beno

You need to stop thinking in terms of "what is a good deal" and start thinking more in terms of "what parts do I need to correctly solve the problem."

-o-

I know...thanks...I've spent many of $$ with Dan and don't mind doing so again. However, I just want to stop the seapage before it gets outta hand. No clicking and I couldn't tell ya where / which seal is to blame...I just know I've got some sludgy / soup startin' that wasn't there a few months back and if I'm going to crack'er open I might as well try to go through the whole thing...right? Should I just repair / replace the leaking part(s) and leave the rest alone? Everything seems to be operating just fine...it just has started to show sludge / soup on birf...

[beno]

Originally Posted by TX80Fan

I know...thanks...I've spent many of $$ with Dan and don't mind doing so again. However, I just want to stop the seapage before it gets outta hand. No clicking and I couldn't tell ya where / which seal is to blame...I just know I've got some sludgy / soup startin' that wasn't there a few months back and if I'm going to crack'er open I might as well try to go through the whole thing...right? Should I just repair / replace the leaking part(s) and leave the rest alone? Everything seems to be operating just fine...it just has started to show sludge / soup on birf...

I'm not saying to buy your parts from Dan. It does not matter to me at all whom you buy your parts from.

I am saying if you are going in, go all the way and don't half-ass something as important as the stability of your drivetrain.

And, yes, to your question about "going through the whole thing." Or, you can go part of the way and something fails on the side of the road in the middle of no where and you are saying to yourself "I should have done the entire front axle rebuild."

Good luck.
-onur

[Izeloz]

I got all my wheel bearings and seals from Autozone. They are all made-in-USA Timken bearings and seals. I had them price match Rockauto.com and saved almost 50%. I ordered the rebuild kit from justdifferentials.com. I am debating whether or not I should swap sides on my birfs or just get some Longfields right now.

[WarDamnEagle]

Originally Posted by Joe Egolf

I bought the Marlin Crawler kit with his HD seals for $85.Kit is complete and seals are awesome

I bought that kit and HD seals for my 4Runner. Marlin doesn't carry kits for the 80's (to my knowledge) and the 80 axle seals that he sells are OEM.

I bought all my 80 axle parts from CDan.

[lt1fire]

I bought my kit from Dan and I am very happy about it so far. I did hear though that marlin's seals are much thicker.

[WarDamnEagle]

Originally Posted by lt1fire

I bought my kit from Dan and I am very happy about it so far. I did hear though that marlin's seals are much thicker.

They are....but they don't fit 80's!

Straight off Marlin's website:

Heavy Duty Front Inner Axle Seal

These New Marlin Crawler designed Heavy Duty Front Inner Axle Seals are an amazing upgrade for your truck. If you are constantly replacing inner axle seals because of leaks, or you just want to build the most bad ass Toyota front end possible, then these are the seals you want!
Advantages of our HD Inner Axles Seals include:
Indexed lip ensures a perfect perpendicular installation
Wide design allows movement, maximum shock absorption
Steel Expansion Ring ensures true circular inner dia
Seal holds to axle even under heavy vibrations
164% Increase in effective sealing deflection distance
89% Wider than the "common aftermarket seal"
Our New Heavy Duty Inner Axle Seals are designed by Marlin Czajkowski of Marlin Crawler and are an exclusive Marlin Crawler product. Current applications include all 1979-1985 Toyota Hilux 8" Front Axles, and all 1969-1/1990 Landcruiser front axles including FJ40, FJ45, FJ55, FJ60, and FJ62. Order a pair of these along with a pair of our Special Fit Rear Axle Seals below to ensure a leak free rig! Always Grease the ID of any new seal before installation.



The 80 seals are OEM.

Again, straight off the website:

FJ80 Inner Axle Seals

We carry genuine Toyota FJ80 Inner Axle Seals. Fix your leaky axle by replacing its inner axle seal today!

[lt1fire]

Why do the 80's get no love from marlin ??

[TX80Fan]

...how much money is Dan's front axle rebuild kit from American Toyota?

[maybe_a_80...]

I would go with Dan. He goes out of his way to hook us all up with OEM parts. This really is the best way to go for PM. Also, when you call Dan to order parts, he'll just put the whole thing together and you are saved the hassle of wondering if you forgot something...I know the other places will do this, too, but Dan has all OEM parts AND the knowledge to get you the right stuff. Plus he has the 54mm hub socket you need to do the job. So it all shows up together and you have one nice neat bill for the whole shebangy.

Dan just makes it easy...

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by maybe_a_80...

I would go with Dan. He goes out of his way to hook us all up with OEM parts. This really is the best way to go for PM. Also, when you call Dan to order parts, he'll just put the whole thing together and you are saved the hassle of wondering if you forgot something...I know the other places will do this, too, but Dan has all OEM parts AND the knowledge to get you the right stuff. Plus he has the 54mm hub socket you need to do the job. So it all shows up together and you have one nice neat bill for the whole shebangy.

Dan just makes it easy...

+1 on everything!

Also, when you order your parts from Dan, you help support his "used dogs".

Always order from Dan! Its just good Karma.

[TX80Fan]

You guys been drinkin' Dan's punch.... Nah, I really don't mind placing ANOTHER order with Dan...hell, I've spent hundreds with him already and it was a seemless transaction with great service. I just thought I would seek possible alternatives...and I'm sometimes cheap!

[blzrfn]

I'm planning on ordering my kit through Cruiser Outfitters, I have heard nothing but good experiences.

[Romer]

This is tech, we don't post here to see who has the better prices. Make the calls yourself

If you want to compare the quality of aftermarket to OEM, thats worth discussing and you can get that from any Toyota dealer.

[Melovesha]

Originally Posted by blzrfn

I'm planning on ordering my kit through Cruiser Outfitters, I have heard nothing but good experiences.

Did you get your rebuild kit? did you do the rebuild yourself? how long/how much did it take?

Thanks!