OEM Birffield verses Chromoly - (Longfield)

[Filmpros]

I am in the middle of a major build ... and currently in the process of installing PolyPerformance Chromoly axle shafts both front & rear.

Does anyone know hwo long teh OEM birfields are good for? My truck has 110,000 miles on it.

I was going to install Chromoly birfields (Longfield or similar) ... but I have been told these wear much faster than the OEM part. I have been told they can wear and need replacement in as liitle as 15k miles. Is this true?

Any suggestions? Stick with my current set of birfs, replace with Chromoly versions, replace with new OEM parts?

I already replaced everything else....so I am thinking it would be a good idea to deal with now rather than later.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

I am in the middle of a major build ... and currently in the process of installing PolyPerformance Chromoly axle shafts both front & rear.

Does anyone know hwo long teh OEM birfields are good for? My truck has 110,000 miles on it.

I was going to install Chromoly birfields (Longfield or similar) ... but I have been told these wear much faster than the OEM part. I have been told they can wear and need replacement in as liitle as 15k miles. Is this true?

Any suggestions? Stick with my current set of birfs, repleace with Chromoly versions, replace with new OEM parts?

Well, if you already have everything torn apart with the build and are replacing the front axle shafts already, you might as well replace them birfs while you are at it and keep the old ones as trail spares

As far as going with the Longfield birfs, heres a thread on Longs in the 80: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/157290-longfield-longevity.html

 

[Lka1988]

What about Slee? He sells birf replacements, both light duty and heavy duty.

 

[powderpig]

I recently did a customers truck that had Longfield chromoly Birfs that had only 3k miles on them(the birf;s had abnormal wear in my book and were binding and one was locked up. These were not warrantied by Bobby) and had a long conversation with Bobby on the phone. Bobby sells his birfs as Trailer queen birfs. They are not to be driven on the highway because of wear. Bobby's birfs are strong but will wear real quick. He only will warranty the birf's if they break. he will not warranty the birfs for Wear that can create binding. For this customer he went back to stock his old stock birf's. That happened to be in good shape. The same customer will pick up a used birf when he can to carry as a spare.
The stock birf's I have in my crusier are over 100k old and have been used with 35-36" tires and a heavy 80. I keep the birfs lubed and serviced every 50k miles. I just now have some slight clicking on one side and will be servicing my axle in the next week(100k miles service).
So what do you really want to do with your truck? No I have not read any other thread of yours to see where you want to go with this truck. In my book a Expedition truck would be better served with the stock birf's over some of the after market birfs on the market.
Good luck with the project. Robbie

 

[cruiserdan]

Rich, knowing the intended use of this vehicle my opinion is that you should stick to OEM birfields and I bet your current ones are fine.

 

[akarilo]

Aftermarket Birfs are overrated. If you drive half-way sensible and don't hammer the throttle at full lock, I'd be suprised if you ever broke an oem version. I had a 4runner locked f/r on stock 8" axles (35" tires) that achieved some outlandish stuff. Nothing ever broke.
I'm sure you can have an interesting "debate" on here, but that's about all it will amount to. Go stock and save yourself the hassle and $$$.

 

[Paul_Humphreys]

Just changed both of mine, one was "clicking" and I snaped the short shaft on the other. Thet were OEM with 178,000 miles on them. I have a full service history on mine. But I do run 35" tyres.

I have fitted after market ones, but I am planing Longfields next year when funds are right. But I was not going to go for the super set, I was going to go for the street ones.

Paul

 

[sleeoffroad]

New OEM ones, keep your old ones for spares. I never broke a Longfield or Newfield chromo one with 39" tires, but as Robbie says, wear will be fast and you are on your own on that. For your use, OEM is the answer. Poly inner axles and rears

 

[Filmpros]

Thanks....this answered my question in short order...and the link to the thread made this an easy decision for me..

This forum rocks..

 

[IdahoDoug]

As an aside, my bro in law's original birfs have 330,000 miles on them and have been clicking since about 200,000. It's getting more regular now with clicking even from mild turning and accelerating so they'll get replaced this summer. It's been a DD since around 150k, and had a few trips to Moab and a lot of SoCal wheeling before 150k.

DougM