80 Series Part Time Conversion

[MonsterCruiser]

I think someone here has done a part time conversion on their 80. I'm looking to see what others have done to source the parts for their part time conversion.

• Did you go with the "Mark's" kit?
  
• Did you just leave it with ATEB and they handled the whole thing?
• Did you do a real part time conversion or did you just install lockable hubs?
• Are you happy with the conversion?

I'm looking to do a full part time conversion not just the hubs. Thinking of going with Aisin hubs. If I'm going to do it I might as well do it right. I'm looking to do the conversion to reduce wear on the front end. Only 30,000 kms after the last rebuild it looks like it's leaking again. Last time I had the front end done I debated the part time conversion. With the short distance since the last rebuild I'm pretty sure I want to get it done this time.

Anyways, really I'm just looking for input on where others sourced their parts from if they've done a part time conversion on their 80 series

 

[Tmax]

i too am thinking of doing this. however there is a little more than just installing front hubs. you need to ether get what ever kit there is out there (i have not inquired yet) or weld up on side of the center diff for part time. i was actualy chatting with the George about this just yesterday. (wrong way around)

typically the full time front end is prety worn out so unless you change all the parts, it will puke again. in my view, the toy front diff in the 80's was never meant to be a full time unit. you can get the assin hubs from Steve.

with this, you will also gain fuel economy that translates less wasted horsepower.

 

[sailor]

I did the marks with the AVM heavy duty hubs. Ateb did it. I dont think you gain any mileage. It does eliminate wear on the front end. I like it a lot.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I have heard from others that the mileage gain is also undetectable. There is a reported improvement in steering 'lightness', which others could chime in-on As for wear - the powertrains on these rigs good for 500,000+ km so when everything else is worn out your front end is still good?
What I do like in the all wheel drive 80 is pulling a U-turn on a narrow trail with no shoulder, I sometimes/often would get stuck in my 74 and have to get out turn those fricking hubs - then there are cases where I have driven a few hundred miles with the hubs locked in 2WD. One less thing to think about. I would post your question in the tech section, for wider input - interested too in knowing about its advantages since there are many out there.

 

[Tmax]

I have heard from others that the mileage gain is also undetectable. There is a reported improvement in steering 'lightness', which others could chime in-on As for wear - the powertrains on these rigs good for 500,000+ km so when everything else is worn out your front end is still good?
What I do like in the all wheel drive 80 is pulling a U-turn on a narrow trail with no shoulder, I sometimes/often would get stuck in my 74 and have to get out turn those fricking hubs - then there are cases where I have driven a few hundred miles with the hubs locked in 2WD. One less thing to think about. I would post your question in the tech section, for wider input - interested too in knowing about its advantages since there are many out there.

holly crap i never though the day would come but you finally said something technical that is true. anyway yes the full time 4wd with a center diff is awesome but at the end of the day, sadly its bad may outweigh its good if you look at the big picture.

 

[MonsterCruiser]

I did the marks with the AVM heavy duty hubs. Ateb did it. I dont think you gain any mileage. It does eliminate wear on the front end. I like it a lot.

Did you order direct from Marks? I guess you had to pay duty and taxes on it with the cost?

I have heard from others that the mileage gain is also undetectable. There is a reported improvement in steering 'lightness', which others could chime in-on As for wear - the powertrains on these rigs good for 500,000+ km so when everything else is worn out your front end is still good?

If I get fuel economy gain, then that's just an additional plus. Since I get ATEB to do the front end work for me it's labour cost that adds up. I'm not the first one that's had to have the front end redone at less than 100k km intervals. I'd get the part time conversion done in order to prevent this short time span between rebuilds from happening. Presently, I'm in the Lower Mainland and I don't do a lot of wheeling, so I'm not in a climate where there's lots of winter. If I lived somewhere where it was winter 6 months a year I'd just suck it up and keep the full time 4wd. For the Vancouver area it's not really necessary (I dont' think anyway).

I'm not really looking for a lot of additional input on fuel economy and the change in the feel/handling as i've found a number of other threads on mud about that. More interested in where people got their parts from and if they did the full conversion or just the hubs.

 

[sailor]

Do it all. Yes I used DHL from OZ as such I paid all duties/taxes.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Part time my 2 cents -

If you do it do both hubs and spool, senseless otherwise IMO.

Try it first, not all 80/100 set ups respond the same. I hated the conversion in my first 80 and most people dont even notice it on my present 80.

Dont do it for the MPG you will spend a life time waiting for the payback.

For me I grew up with part time and like it. I wanted less wear on the front end parts and have no tolerance when it comes to front drive line vibrations. If you have a lifted 80 you have vibs issues at some speed, don't believe me remove your front drive line.

With the ability to part time your turning radius decrease and turning on the trail is much nicer when 4WD is not needed.

Aisin hubs are shorter but require an additional axle groove in most cases, AVM are straight bolt on. New Aisin hubs are available from Cruiserparts at a very good price.

 

[wrongway around]

No millage gain if anything its worst because you drive it faster. Steering ease is a huge under rated bonus. I bought just the marks solid vicious. If I were to do it to another one I would just weld it . I did have the factory scalloped hubs but the inner workings are a one off. I just used aisin mini hubs for the ease of a trail fix. Don't know your driving style but be for warned your hubs are now your weak link , I actually pack a spare hub set and the factory flanges that came off and have had to use it all at some point . Personally I would never own an 80 that was full time for a daily driver.

 

[Vanny]

I installed the kit from Slee Offroad. Did it because the kit and two Longfield birfs were the price of one Toyota birf from Toyota Canada and both my birfs were done. Don't know if the milage changed as I did it when I first got the 80 (well in the first 3 months anyways). It steers a little easier. The ABS does not work with it but I don't mind that and neither does my wife. You do have to go out in the cold and dirt to engage 4WD though. Not very 80 ish.

 

[MonsterCruiser]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm about 95% sure I'm going to have the conversion done. Now it's just deciding if I'm shelling out for the Aisins, or having the bright red AVM's sticking out....hmmm...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Go AVM and you will hate yourself every time you look at or lock your hubs.

 

[sailor]

I dunno. I just mashed one of my avm hubs into a rock at Eagle and it still works fine...

 

[Vanny]

Have had the AVMs since 2007. Haven't had any issues.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Hi MonsterCruiser
I do not think that the part-time kit will extend hub rebuild intervals ?? - my part-time 74 needed hub maintenance every 40,000-50,000 km, but that truck was only used on wheeling trips - no DD.

" I'd get the part time conversion done in order to prevent this short time span [100,000 km] between rebuilds from happening."

 

[BCR4619]

I look at getting this done, then I saw the costs involved and said screw that!

To each their own I suppose

 

[MonsterCruiser]

Well the thought was that it will prevent premature front end rebuilds. If that was the case, it could pay for itself within 100k kms, but based on Glenn's comment, now I'm not as certain....bah, I've gone this far so I'll probably stick with it.

 

[wrongway around]

Not understanding why it would not stop premature rebuilds. With freewheeling hubs and a part time case nothing is loaded or turns in between the back of the t/case and the wheel bearing. , drive shaft , axles, front pumpkin. The only thing I really worry about for regular maintenance is wheel bearing Hub seal and elocker and the vent tube and filter. And you can tow it safely .

 

[LanceCruiser]

The All Wheel Drive saved me twice now. Some days I drive it like a car and had the wheels go light on me in the gravel and on semi wet pavement both times going around a corner faster than I should of. I lucked out and used the throttle sparingly on the semi wet pavement when I needed to correct the front end when it went into like a pendulum swing with the front and back trying to change places going around a corner with a barrier to one side and a car on the other side. When it happened in the gravel I laid into the throttle and held on for dear life hoping I don't go off the edge of the road and got lucky again that the front tires pulled me out of it.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

Like so many choices in life its personal preference tempered by experience.
Having my part-time 70 series for nearly 10 years, turning hubs in the dust, mud, rain, snow, ice or worse stuck or following 80's who do no have to lock, unlock, lock, unlock, on varied terrain - I think the full-time 4WD system is a blessing ... along with the potential avoidance of emergency situations that Lance described. Not experienced that -yet.
I suspect a significant advantage of the part-time system is to eliminate front drive line vibe at higher speed caused by castor correction mods without the front DC.
There maybe a benefit in extended hub service intervals, but if you wheel a lot I doubt there is much savings as I have experienced.
The savings would be more significant for those that rarely use 4WD, but then there are much more cheaper grocery getters than a 6,000 lb. Landcruiser.