45 Suspension questions ?

[In2cruisers]

We are the proud owners of a 66 FJ45 LWB.... and have the opportunity it buy and swap in a set of 73 40 axles.... while doing so thought It might be a good time to update and lift her... but called the boys at ARB USA to get a price on rear leafs....$360 each..........??? are ther any other options? Thought I remember reading sometime back you could use other spring.....80 series?? did the search...but didnt find much......... 2c please

Thx

 

[Pighead]

Two thoughts right off; call Georg, see if he has something that might help. Maybe try Alcan?
Back in the day, I had my FJ55 rear leafs re-arched with a leaf or two added at my local Blacksmith/spring shop...

 

[peesalot]

Steering may work, brake fittings different, dline flange pattern different. See if you can get the tie rod & drag link with 73 axle. You may be able to use the tube side of 73 axle drive lines, if you can get them, to slide onto your 66 slip yoke side to hook up dlines.
As far as other springs that will fit & lift a 45, x2 on call Georg, he probably has what you need.

 

[sofj45]

What are you hoping to gain by swapping in 73 axels into it? They are a birf joint over the ball and claw setup but you’re not gaining anything I can see. Brake parts are different thread size, so you can get wheel cylinders but you can swap in the newer wheel cylinders to the old axles and replace all the lines or just go disc brake and relatively be the same amount of money out as trying to replace all the drum setup.
I could see swaping 76 and newer axles so you have disc up front but then have to dual circuit master or do rear disc and continue to run the single circuit master after removing proportioning valve inside making it identical to your clutch master.