60 Series Axle swap with the Trail Tailor Coil Conversion

[Snicklephritz87]

Welp adding my obligatory 80 series front axel swap photos:

 

[4runner2FJ60]

Well, happy new year! Opened that worm can this afternoon. Looks like the top two bolts give me enough clearance to reinstall the steering shaft. Lower bolts will not. Also the opposite bolts are way closer when using the existing top bolts. Not keen on reaming out the box holes. Debating options....the lower back hole I think I can ream the frame hole and get it to work. Front bottom will need a more drastic modification.

 

[Lucky1386]

Well, happy new year! Opened that worm can this afternoon. Looks like the top two bolts give me enough clearance to reinstall the steering shaft. Lower bolts will not. Also the opposite bolts are way closer when using the existing top bolts. Not keen on reaming out the box holes. Debating options....the lower back hole I think I can ream the frame hole and get it to work. Front bottom will need a more drastic modification. View attachment 3804838View attachment 3804839View attachment 3804840

Is this because you have a pre 85 60 and are trying to use the 80 box? If so I bought a kit from cruiser Matt that work great but I had engine out. I have also seen people make the hole larger on the steering box to get it all to work.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Well, happy new year! Opened that worm can this afternoon. Looks like the top two bolts give me enough clearance to reinstall the steering shaft. Lower bolts will not. Also the opposite bolts are way closer when using the existing top bolts. Not keen on reaming out the box holes. Debating options....the lower back hole I think I can ream the frame hole and get it to work. Front bottom will need a more drastic modification. View attachment 3804838View attachment 3804839View attachment 3804840

I'm sure there is a thread showing the correct way to do this. What if you take the bottom back bolt out will the front 2 and the rear top bolt go in?

 

[4runner2FJ60]

I'm sure there is a thread showing the correct way to do this. What if you take the bottom back bolt out will the front 2 and the rear top bolt go in?

I can only get two bolts at a time in. No way to get a third. Closest is if I use the top two.

Is this because you have a pre 85 60 and are trying to use the 80 box? If so I bought a kit from cruiser Matt that work great but I had engine out. I have also seen people make the hole larger on the steering box to get it all to work.

Yes, I knew it was an issue, just had not tried fitting till today. I'm not big on reaming the box holes, one will not need much but the other hole is pretty far off.

 

[4runner2FJ60]

Welp adding my obligatory 80 series front axel swap photos:

View attachment 3804464

View attachment 3804465
Those are some cool looking wheels!

 

[4runner2FJ60]

Calling all the Pros! Or anyone that has done the 60 to 80 steering box conversion on an early 60.....with the engine still installed.
Started mocking things up late afternoon. The box fits on the steering shaft joint but the shaft is as short as it goes and I cannot get the set screw bolt onto the box input. Do I need to shorten the shaft, or get different U-joint? Months ago I noticed on a buddies 60, the steering shaft is much beefier on the late model 60s vs the early. Any input would be greatly appreciated.


The notch on the input shaft is not the same, but I think the bolt will still work on the new box, only the shaft is too long, bolt hole is past the notch.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

The yoke is extends some. Is it at full extension?

 

[BurntToast]

edit: read it wrong

 

[4runner2FJ60]

The yoke is extends some. Is it at full extension?

No it's fully compressed, needs to go back maybe a 1/4" to get set screw in. 2nd picture is all mounted. The pic showing it not seated is confusing, sorry about that. Just showing the input shaft difference.

 

[dbbowen]

Is the splined area on the rag joint side shorter and it wont slide all the way in? I have an 87 but it was a pain to get the steering shaft on and took some tapping to get it fully seated

 

[4runner2FJ60]

It goes all the way on, but when I try to put the pin bolt in it is beyond the keyway for the bolt and won't slide back rearward any.

 

[Snicklephritz87]

@dbowen

Please add a link to this for the cutting the transmission outer brackets for the radius arms.

Thanks this was something i should have know but the directions where a tad vague. Hoping this clears it up.

Part of installing this kit you will need to modify the trans mount. You have to cut off the outer “bell” shaped mounts and trim the trans mount. According to @trailtailor 4 bolts is sufficient for the 4&5 speed Toyota variants. I would assume a new cross member needs to be made for any other transmission variant.

I have a January 1987 frame

 

[4runner2FJ60]

@Snicklephritz87 what variant do you have? I do not have those mounts at all on my 84 FJ60 so there is no issue. All transmission mounts are inside frame rails or bolted to the bottom of frame.

 

[Snicklephritz87]

@Snicklephritz87 what variant do you have? I do not have those mounts at all on my 84 FJ60 so there is no issue. All transmission mounts are inside frame rails or bolted to the bottom of frame.

I have a January 1987 frame US FJ60

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I have a January 1987 frame US FJ60

Transmission xmember are different and mounted different

 

[dbbowen]

@dbowen

Please add a link to this for the cutting the transmission outer brackets for the radius arms.

Thanks this was something i should have know but the directions where a tad vague. Hoping this clears it up.

Part of installing this kit you will need to modify the trans mount. You have to cut off the outer “bell” shaped mounts and trim the trans mount. According to @trailtailor 4 bolts is sufficient for the 4&5 speed Toyota variants. I would assume a new cross member needs to be made for any other transmission variant.

I have a January 1987 frame


View attachment 3806834

View attachment 3806835

View attachment 3806837

Good call, i had already cut mine off when i did my LS Swap so that hole was already visible on mine. I totally forgot that the trans mount was even there!

 

[Snicklephritz87]

welp. My welds are pretty ugly. i stood on them and they didn’t move

 

[4runner2FJ60]

Looking good! I'm kinda wishing I had my fenders and front 1/4s off now though!

 

[dbleon]

Dont worry.. before long every “professional” welder on this forum will be zooming in with xray phone apps to criticize you’re welds. It all to “help” you .. don’t worry