Hey all, I am looking at doing some front axle work and had some questions. I have a 66 and my axle is ball and claw, converted to disc, spring under. I will not be hardcore wheeling this rig, tho obviously I don't know what it has been through up to now. Apart from some breather issues and a light seal leak, they function just fine. Parts moving forward are always a gamble, so that's a risk factor that is unknowable. EVERYONE pretty much says to just swap axles vs putting any time/money into them, for a lot of different reasons. I understand the reasons and am okay with that.
My main question is: is it worth going to a 79+ front axle that has OE discs on it or can I just find any birfield (CV) design axle and do a conversion on that? I have searched for actual reviews on the later series OE disc brakes vs their aftermarket counterparts, from a performance standpoint, and have found nothing. Since I have a dual disc conversion now, I have the dual circuit master cylinder all sorted so that's not an issue. I haven't yet researched what/if Toyota still makes for the 79+ axles, so it may be that I'd have to look for aftermarket support on those anyhow. I have a line on a 79 axle, but the owner is asking $1200, plus some time to go get it and then then rebuilding it to get it functioning as well as possible. That is easily going to hit $2K. Not my preferred use of that $ on the truck, but I can wrap my head around it. Obvious slight cost benefit to not having to buy the new disc parts, but if the rotors are worn/bad then some of that goes away. The benefit from the better knuckle and birfield design would likely be had on any later model axle choice- really anything that is not ball and claw. I read somewhere that the 76-78 knuckles and studs have weak points, but don't know exactly what was entirely meant by that. Studs, I get.
Knuckle rebuild cost is a wash really between my current 66 axle and any other. Seals will be a little more, but bearings, felts, and stud upgrade will be roughly the same. I'll need to sort out that brass bushing install, but there are some good write-ups/videos on that. This is a daily driver for me, so I definitely like the ability to rebuild the 79 axle slowly and then just swap it out when it's ready, reducing down time. Would hate to get into the front axle on mine and find my axle [seal] bearing surface is out of spec, or who knows what. Then I have to do all this with a down vehicle. Sub-optimal at best. Would love to keep downtime to a week. As a side note, I doubt I'd ever put a locker in the front on this truck so that is not influencing my decision, though it may make it easier for the next person that owns it if I ever sell. Limited slip was stock on only very rare US models, so the 79 axle isn't a benefit in that way, per se.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any input on the matter. Thanks.
My main question is: is it worth going to a 79+ front axle that has OE discs on it or can I just find any birfield (CV) design axle and do a conversion on that? I have searched for actual reviews on the later series OE disc brakes vs their aftermarket counterparts, from a performance standpoint, and have found nothing. Since I have a dual disc conversion now, I have the dual circuit master cylinder all sorted so that's not an issue. I haven't yet researched what/if Toyota still makes for the 79+ axles, so it may be that I'd have to look for aftermarket support on those anyhow. I have a line on a 79 axle, but the owner is asking $1200, plus some time to go get it and then then rebuilding it to get it functioning as well as possible. That is easily going to hit $2K. Not my preferred use of that $ on the truck, but I can wrap my head around it. Obvious slight cost benefit to not having to buy the new disc parts, but if the rotors are worn/bad then some of that goes away. The benefit from the better knuckle and birfield design would likely be had on any later model axle choice- really anything that is not ball and claw. I read somewhere that the 76-78 knuckles and studs have weak points, but don't know exactly what was entirely meant by that. Studs, I get.
Knuckle rebuild cost is a wash really between my current 66 axle and any other. Seals will be a little more, but bearings, felts, and stud upgrade will be roughly the same. I'll need to sort out that brass bushing install, but there are some good write-ups/videos on that. This is a daily driver for me, so I definitely like the ability to rebuild the 79 axle slowly and then just swap it out when it's ready, reducing down time. Would hate to get into the front axle on mine and find my axle [seal] bearing surface is out of spec, or who knows what. Then I have to do all this with a down vehicle. Sub-optimal at best. Would love to keep downtime to a week. As a side note, I doubt I'd ever put a locker in the front on this truck so that is not influencing my decision, though it may make it easier for the next person that owns it if I ever sell. Limited slip was stock on only very rare US models, so the 79 axle isn't a benefit in that way, per se.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any input on the matter. Thanks.
