Damn'it Christo - Another product that looks good

[Romer]

Just when I think I am almost done (we are never done) modding my truck I see these on Christo's site "Heavy Duty Chromemoly
Off-Road Use Birfield".

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_drivetrain_driveshaft.htm

It's been 40K since I did my front axle down to the knuckle and changed brakes and I am thinking I will need to do the brakes in the next 10K miles. So I will tear it all down so I won't have to worry about it for a while.

These are much ceaper than OEM Birfs, and data on how much better they are? Since I have heavy 35 tires, this is something that might be worthwhile. Haven't had a birf break on the trail yet and don't want to experiance it. I already swapped the rear axles for the Poly Performance Heavy Duty Rear Axle Shafts.

There was nothing wrong with my birfs last time, just wondering if this would be a worthwhile mod next time I tear the axles down.

Opinions? Any data on how much stronger these are?

 

[GXO]

I was right where you are not too long ago...but i had just put 37s on. I went with longfields and the poly rears.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Are these rebadged Longfields or some other brand?

I have nothing against Slee, but having witnessed the absolutely fantastic service and warranty replacements provided by Bobby Long, I'd be inclined to stick with Longfields. I'm pretty sure Slee was running Longfields in the shortbus, so maybe these are just rebadged?

Ary

 

[Romer]

Any data on these vs. the Longfields?

I know someone who had a longfield that broke in a 40 running big tires. I think they were 40's???

 

[GXO]

40 longs are not 80 longs We have a MUCH bigger bell, etc and 30 spline...

 

[lowtideride]

Any data on these vs. the Longfields?

I know someone who had a longfield that broke in a 40 running big tires. I think they were 40's???

Might have also been a 27 spline, which are know to break. Which I have broke

 

[psfpilot]

Sleeoffroad.com:
Chromemoly units are made to withstand higher shocks loads and twisting forces. This is achieved by making the joint from chryogenically stabilized aviation grade steel. This design makes them a good choice for vehicles with larger tires and are used in more hardcore application, but they will wear faster [emphasis added].

Longfield longevity


Edit _ I accidently clicked the edit button instead of qoute. No edit was made to this post other than this comment - Romer

 

[Hayes]

I would guess that they are Newfields, based off Christo's part number:

NF-80-BIRFHD

NF = Newfield??

 

[Romer]

Sleeoffroad.com:
Chromemoly units are made to withstand higher shocks loads and twisting forces. This is achieved by making the joint from chryogenically stabilized aviation grade steel. This design makes them a good choice for vehicles with larger tires and are used in more hardcore application, but they will wear faster [emphasis added].

Man-a-fre had some Japanese production 80 series birfs for sale on their website. That might be an alternative to the Toyota OEM price.



I just got off the phone with Bobby Long (maker of Longfields). When I asked if he recommended 80 series Longfields for highway applications, he said that the Rockwell hardness is ~58 on Longfields versus ~68 on OEM. This softer metal withstands shock loads better on the trail. He estimated that a Longfield 80 series birfield would last approximately 30,000-40,000 miles, and thus he does not recommend it for a vehicle that will have numerous miles put on it in the future. Of course, if it's mostly a trail machine, the longs are probably your best choice.

Thanks for the above info. So if I wanted a stronger birf for the trail, they would wear faster on the highway? I put about 15-18K miles a year on road, so this would be a major factor.

 

[Hayes]

I'm still waiting for somebody to make something in between a hard, long-wearing--but brittle OME birf and a soft, quick-wearing--but strong Longfield.

Something cheaper than OEM, marginally stronger, but harder than the Longs. Seems like there is a decent market (relatively speaking) for replacement birfs, but the soft character of the Longs turns many away because most 80's see a good amount of road time.

 

[reffug]

If you want to think your done modding your truck then you kinda have to stop going to Slee's website. I have done that but people such as yourself keep posting up links in threads which makes it impossible. Damn you Romer.

 

[Romer]

Quote:
Sleeoffroad.com:
Chromemoly units are made to withstand higher shocks loads and twisting forces. This is achieved by making the joint from chryogenically stabilized aviation grade steel. This design makes them a good choice for vehicles with larger tires and are used in more hardcore application, but they will wear faster [emphasis added].

Christo, any data on what wear faster means. Current birfs can last up to 200K miles or more.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Ken-Just a data point. I helped NorCalSam replace his longfield Chromo birfs. They were clicking like crazy at 20k miles. If you go this route, I would recommend a part time kit to keep the wear to a minimum. If you want cheap, PM NorCalDOug. He got a birf recently from Newfield that is just a standard birf, but it's heat treated in all the right places and comes with the ABS ring. $149 if I remember right.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Ryan wins the prize.

I ran one set of Longfields in the the Shortbus and never broke them, except I stripped the splines on the ends when I broke hubs. I changed over to Newfields and have never broken the HD units in either the ShortBus or the new BlueBerry (even after breaking two ring and pinions).

These are Newfield units. Bobby has good products, but does not have a wholesale prices, so it does not make sense for us to sell them. Newfield does have wholesale pricing. I have run the HD units for 3 years now and I pretty confident in the strength of them.

As to how many miles, that is up in the air. The lower cost light duty ones are just that. It is for the soccer mobile that doesn't see much off-road, but needs to replace clicking birfields.

 

[scottryana]

40 longs are not 80 longs We have a MUCH bigger bell, etc and 30 spline...

FJ80 v. FJ40 Birfield you can see the 80 bell is quite a bit larger.

Ryan.

 

[Romer]

Ken-Just a data point. I helped NorCalSam replace his longfield Chromo birfs. They were clicking like crazy at 20k miles. If you go this route, I would recommend a part time kit to keep the wear to a minimum. If you want cheap, PM NorCalDOug. He got a birf recently from Newfield that is just a standard birf, but it's heat treated in all the right places and comes with the ABS ring. $149 if I remember right.

Thanks Andy, I put too mnay road miles on my truck for Longfields to make sense. I'll PM Doug

 

[CreeperSleeper]

*snip*
I ran one set of Longfields in the the Shortbus and never broke them, except I stripped the splines on the ends when I broke hubs. I changed over to Newfields and have never broken the HD units in either the ShortBus or the new BlueBerry (even after breaking two ring and pinions).
*snip*

Hmmm... good to know. After breaking two birfs in a month, I think it's time for something stronger. Damn. Now I have decisions to make. Sounds like I'll go with whatever is least expensive.

Can you get CM inner axles too?

 

[concretejungle]

Thanks for the above info. So if I wanted a stronger birf for the trail, they would wear faster on the highway? I put about 15-18K miles a year on road, so this would be a major factor.

Romer, you need to search!

This has been hashed out here over and over....

 

[GXO]

Can you get CM inner axles too?

yes, I am running a longfield superset in my front...cost was about $750 shipped.

 

[reffug]

Romer, you need to search!

This has been hashed out here over and over....

[best jethro tull]

skating away...................

on the thin ice of a new day.:whoops: