1992 Semi Float Axle

[Josey1972]

I'm not able to get to the answer I'm looking for. If someone could either direct me to a thread with the answers or offer suggestions I would appreciate it.

After reviewing videos of the FJ Summit and the trails that were run I'm asking myself these questions:

1. My 1992 with rear drums (semi float).... Are these brakes reliable enough for trails like that?
2. Has anyone experienced issues with the semi float axles? I have full Slee bumpers, rock sliders and I'm setting the truck up for just traveling around both on and off road (overlanding I suppose).
3. And finally: I'd like to do a rear Aussie locker and I THINK that I'd like to have rear discs (depending on comments from everyone). Should I make do with the axle I have and upgrade to discs and put in a locker? Or if I'm going to the trouble should I just swap out the axle? and throw a locker in the new axle?

The truck is a long term ownership thing and will spend most of its time on light to moderate off road (as I see it at this time).

Advice appreciated.

 

[mechanist]

I'm not able to get to the answer I'm looking for. If someone could either direct me to a thread with the answers or offer suggestions I would appreciate it.

After reviewing videos of the FJ Summit and the trails that were run I'm asking myself these questions:

1. My 1992 with rear drums (semi float).... Are these brakes reliable enough for trails like that?
2. Has anyone experienced issues with the semi float axles? I have full Slee bumpers, rock sliders and I'm setting the truck up for just traveling around both on and off road (overlanding I suppose).
3. And finally: I'd like to do a rear Aussie locker and I THINK that I'd like to have rear discs (depending on comments from everyone). Should I make do with the axle I have and upgrade to discs and put in a locker? Or if I'm going to the trouble should I just swap out the axle? and throw a locker in the new axle?

The truck is a long term ownership thing and will spend most of its time on light to moderate off road (as I see it at this time).

Advice appreciated.

1. Discs are nice, but Toyota built the land cruiser reputation over more than forty years using drums. They're more than enough for your off-highway adventures. I'd just go with what you have.
2. I have not, but I've ridden with people driving 40/60 series and haven't heard them complain about their axles.
3. If your plan is light-moderate off road use then you're best bet is probably to keep and maintain the current configuration.

Probably best to start hoarding 3fe parts at this point. Especially if you're planning to keep her long term.

 

[Josey1972]

1. Discs are nice, but Toyota built the land cruiser reputation over more than forty years using drums. They're more than enough for your off-highway adventures. I'd just go with what you have.
2. I have not, but I've ridden with people driving 40/60 series and haven't heard them complain about their axles.
3. If your plan is light-moderate off road use then you're best bet is probably to keep and maintain the current configuration.

Probably best to start hoarding 3fe parts at this point. Especially if you're planning to keep her long term.

I'm thinking of a remanufactured 3fe from JIS and then just keeping the engine I have in reserve. In reality if I'm able to afford it someday I will convert it to 5.3.

Thank you for the response. Thats what my gut tell me on the axle. Since I couldn't find any complaints I'm going to assume that its burly enough for a weekend warrior.

 

[mechanist]

I just read where a guy bought GM van with a 5.3 for less than $3k. By the time he parted out the van he had the swap done for $0.00.

 

[Josey1972]

That sounds agreeable. I don't have the time or the skillset to do that all myself. I'd hire it out. Ive owned to many vehicles from my broke days that I had to spend time working on. I'm going to do the lockers and Ive done a lot of other items wiring wise but engine swap is out of my realm.

The thought occasionally crosses my mind about a newer Taco or 4runnner. With a paid swap being around 15-18k plus the sale of my cruiser that would put me with a very solid down payment and money to blow on upgrades.

Depends on the mood I'm in. Once this beast goes to Colorado and back I may have a different mindset.

 

[FranceJohnson]

I did the LOKKA rear locker on my 92, it works great.

Brakes are not spectacular on any 80, but is more of an issue stopping at speed than on trails. I put drilled rotors in the front, with 100 series EBC Green stuff pads, and rebuilt the rear drums. With a proper bleed thats about as good as you can hope for. The ebrake holds the truck solid right where I put it.

I have never had any problems braking on steep pitches on trails, usually your tires will lose grip before your brakes can't hold.

 

[Josey1972]

I did the LOKKA rear locker on my 92, it works great.

Brakes are not spectacular on any 80, but is more of an issue stopping at speed than on trails. I put drilled rotors in the front, with 100 series EBC Green stuff pads, and rebuilt the rear drums. With a proper bleed thats about as good as you can hope for. The ebrake holds the truck solid right where I put it.

I have never had any problems braking on steep pitches on trails, usually your tires will lose grip before your brakes can't hold.

That's comforting! Thanks for the input.

 

[jonheld]

Oh please.
I've driven my old 91 for 25 years and done some of the most difficult trails in the northeast, southeast, Moab, etc.
Drum rears need to be maintained just like the rest of the brake system or any other system in any vehicle.
If you're concerned about your brakes, then deal with them. The system is now 25 years old so you're going to need to replace some parts.

The axle shafts on the semi float rear are huge with a gigantic bearing running in gear oil. Again, years of very hard wheeling with 36" Swampers, and they just don't care. You'll be fine. It's not made from eggshells.

I am not a fan of any auto-locker. I don't like parts making decisions for me. ARB is the way to go IMO.

 

[Josey1972]

Oh please.
I've driven my old 91 for 25 years and done some of the most difficult trails in the northeast, southeast, Moab, etc.
Drum rears need to be maintained just like the rest of the brake system or any other system in any vehicle.
If you're concerned about your brakes, then deal with them. The system is now 25 years old so you're going to need to replace some parts.

The axle shafts on the semi float rear are huge with a gigantic bearing running in gear oil. Again, years of very hard wheeling with 36" Swampers, and they just don't care. You'll be fine. It's not made from eggshells.

I am not a fan of any auto-locker. I don't like parts making decisions for me. ARB is the way to go IMO.

It became obvious that I couldn't find any complaining about the axles. Could you explain why you're no fan of auto lockers? To be honest I'm not happy about the expense. Otherwise I'd be a little more interested.

 

[MrMoose]

It became obvious that I couldn't find any complaining about the axles. Could you explain why you're no fan of auto lockers? To be honest I'm not happy about the expense. Otherwise I'd be a little more interested.

Autolockers will lock up as soon as power is applied. That might be great on the trails with loose ground, but can be detrimental on pavement, ice, etc. Jon is basically saying that he would rather make the decision on when to lock up the axle vs the axle doing it on its own.

My wife hates my wheeling style because she says it's a waste of time. But I always work my way into lockers. First attempt is open/open, second is locked rear, and finally I lock the entire rig up.

It's also nice not to put any undue stress on the axle components. ARBs are pricey, but well worth it.

 

[jonheld]

It became obvious that I couldn't find any complaining about the axles. Could you explain why you're no fan of auto lockers? To be honest I'm not happy about the expense. Otherwise I'd be a little more interested.

There are folks who love the auto-locker. However my truck is a daily driver. Open diffs in snow, slush, freezing rain, and all the other crap we get here in the northeast yield predictable handling. An auto-locker in those conditions wouldn't be.
Negotiating tight trails, switchbacks, weaving in and out of trees is another good reason to have all diffs open. You can creep and crawl at any pace you desire and still turn the wheel lock to lock without binding up.
Again, I like to make the decisions. I tend to always approach obstacles slowly with 3 open diffs, unless the situation and/or conditions call for something else.
I had ARB lockers front and rear on my 91. I have factory electric lockers on my LX450. The ARBs lock and unlock much faster than the factory ones and IMO are a better product.
I tend to unlock as soon as I can and the ARBs are instant. The others take a bit of time and on high traction surfaces like Moab slickrock, this could be a detriment.

 

[Josey1972]

Autolockers will lock up as soon as power is applied. That might be great on the trails with loose ground, but can be detrimental on pavement, ice, etc. Jon is basically saying that he would rather make the decision on when to lock up the axle vs the axle doing it on its own.

My wife hates my wheeling style because she says it's a waste of time. But I always work my way into lockers. First attempt is open/open, second is locked rear, and finally I lock the entire rig up.

It's also nice not to put any undue stress on the axle components. ARBs are pricey, but well worth it.

There are folks who love the auto-locker. However my truck is a daily driver. Open diffs in snow, slush, freezing rain, and all the other crap we get here in the northeast yield predictable handling. An auto-locker in those conditions wouldn't be.
Negotiating tight trails, switchbacks, weaving in and out of trees is another good reason to have all diffs open. You can creep and crawl at any pace you desire and still turn the wheel lock to lock without binding up.
Again, I like to make the decisions. I tend to always approach obstacles slowly with 3 open diffs, unless the situation and/or conditions call for something else.
I had ARB lockers front and rear on my 91. I have factory electric lockers on my LX450. The ARBs lock and unlock much faster than the factory ones and IMO are a better product.
I tend to unlock as soon as I can and the ARBs are instant. The others take a bit of time and on high traction surfaces like Moab slickrock, this could be a detriment.

That's great advice. I've been outside a lot but mostly by human power so trucks are new to me in that respect. My weather isn't all that much different than yours so I will reconsider. Its a long term upgrade. I'm in no rush.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

I'm against semi-floats. Only reason being is I had a 78 3/4 Silverado in my teens and used to take it to the local mud flats all winter long. One day I sheared a rear axle shaft and as I was picking up speed coming out of a mud hole my tire went racing past me. Had this happen after a wheeling trip with a friend in his wrangler too, he obviously fractured it on the trail, we got on the road home and merged onto the freeway and got up to speed. The teenager in front of us slammed on her brakes for a piece of flying cardboard and when my buddy hit the brakes the rear tire took off last us and ricocheted off the jersey barrier and I nearly sh!t my pants, but we were able to regain control and get it off the side of the road. Not to mention I've seen trucks on the side of the road a number of times where they lost c-clips and the axle just walked out of the tube. My unfortunate experiences...doesn't make them common and none were in an 80 but that stuff does happen, and that's why I won't own semi-floats anymore.

 

[Tools R Us]

There are folks who love the auto-locker. However my truck is a daily driver. Open diffs in snow, slush, freezing rain, and all the other crap we get here in the northeast yield predictable handling. An auto-locker in those conditions wouldn't be.
Negotiating tight trails, switchbacks, weaving in and out of trees is another good reason to have all diffs open. You can creep and crawl at any pace you desire and still turn the wheel lock to lock without binding up.
Again, I like to make the decisions. I tend to always approach obstacles slowly with 3 open diffs, unless the situation and/or conditions call for something else.
I had ARB lockers front and rear on my 91. I have factory electric lockers on my LX450. The ARBs lock and unlock much faster than the factory ones and IMO are a better product.
I tend to unlock as soon as I can and the ARBs are instant. The others take a bit of time and on high traction surfaces like Moab slickrock, this could be a detriment.

How much seat time do you have in an AWD, auto trans rig with an auto locker? I agree with you for RWD rigs, but the effect on AWD rigs differs, significantly, for the good. They are not transparent, but much more civilized, combined with the CDL switch, almost makes them work like a select-able. It really easy to spend others $$, but not everyone has the spare $$$$ to drop on ARB lockers. A few $$$ dropped on an Aussie locker adds huge wheeling capability with relatively small drivability penalty.

 

[SkyMall]

FWIW, I have a 1994 that came with a SF rear end, and I picked up a good, used FF rear for $500 shipped that had WAY less miles. For the price of a rebuild I got disc brakes and opened up some options for the rear end. I'm planning on putting a Harrop in there, which won't fit a SF rear end. If you're considering lockers, ARB isn't the only game in town. Get in touch with @wardharris and see what the Harrop eLocker has to offer. Also, if you're interested in a Spartan auto locker, PM me. I have one NIB that I was going to put in my SF that I no longer need.

 

[Tools R Us]

I'm against semi-floats. Only reason being is I had a 78 3/4 Silverado in my teens and used to take it to the local mud flats all winter long. One day I sheared a rear axle shaft and as I was picking up speed coming out of a mud hole my tire went racing past me. Had this happen after a wheeling trip with a friend in his wrangler too, he obviously fractured it on the trail, we got on the road home and merged onto the freeway and got up to speed. The teenager in front of us slammed on her brakes for a piece of flying cardboard and when my buddy hit the brakes the rear tire took off last us and ricocheted off the jersey barrier and I nearly sh!t my pants, but we were able to regain control and get it off the side of the road. Not to mention I've seen trucks on the side of the road a number of times where they lost c-clips and the axle just walked out of the tube. My unfortunate experiences...doesn't make them common and none were in an 80 but that stuff does happen, and that's why I won't own semi-floats anymore.

But,,, it's not a chevy or jeep! Cruiser axles can be broken, but takes more commitment, for most users they are likely plenty strong.

 

[Josey1972]

How much seat time do you have in an AWD, auto trans rig with an auto locker? I agree with you for RWD rigs, but the effect on AWD rigs differs, significantly, for the good. They are not transparent, but much more civilized, combined with the CDL switch, almost makes them work like a select-able. It really easy to spend others $$, but not everyone has the spare $$$$ to drop on ARB lockers. A few $$$ dropped on an Aussie locker adds huge wheeling capability with relatively small drivability penalty.

It's where I allocate the funds. It's an upgrade someday but for now I need a fridge and a few other things like a tent that's not 25 years old.

 

[jonheld]

How much seat time do you have in an AWD, auto trans rig with an auto locker? I agree with you for RWD rigs, but the effect on AWD rigs differs, significantly, for the good. They are not transparent, but much more civilized, combined with the CDL switch, almost makes them work like a select-able. It really easy to spend others $$, but not everyone has the spare $$$$ to drop on ARB lockers. A few $$$ dropped on an Aussie locker adds huge wheeling capability with relatively small drivability penalty.

I am just tickled pink that you're happy with your setup. It would not be my choice for a daily driver.

 

[Tools R Us]

I am just tickled pink that you're happy with your setup. It would not be my choice for a daily driver.

It's so nice that you're tickled! I'm well aware that my junk will never be as cool as yours, and don't care. Mine has e-lockers and work just fine for my use, not that it could ever be as cool or often as your wheeling. I work on, drive, wheel with lots of differing rigs, several that have lunch box lockers, they work well and display little of the negatives that you portray, most are daily drivers.

 

[Josey1972]

Not feeling the LC brotherhood love here boys!