81 disc front end

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slvrbck

slvrbck

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Threads
35
Messages
786
Location
On Dry Land
OK fellas, I'm finally back from San Diego. Had a good time, found a cruiser/*eep junkyard, drank too much beer, glad to be home!

Now that all that is out of the way, down to business. Yesterday I acquired a complete 81 front end. The gears are 3.73 from what I have read. What is my best course of action? Pull my 3rd member and swap the side gears to keep my 4.10's? Are there any other options?

Thanks guys,

Chris
 
Actually you should be able to put your 4.10 third member into the '81 housing. The "course" spline only applies to the birfield side. The side gears on the third member are the same 30 spline count as all of the traditional LC third members (and mini truck third members). So you will be able to use everything from the '81 axle. The good thing of course is that gives you the better/stronger birfields, correct knuckle stud spacing for a hy-steer conversion and should have the better vented brakes. If it doesn't already have the vented front rotors, then that is an easy conversion also.

Jack
 
OK, I got it now, I was a little confused I guess. So just slap my 3rd in and I'm golden? That makes me happy. Now when I put my new springs on this week, I can do it in all 1 shot and be done with it. Thanks Jack,

Chris
 
slvrbck said:
Oh, almost forgot. I also got the matching rearend as well. Is there anything special about the newer ones or should I just stay with my rearend and use the other one for spare parts?
Click to expand...

I can't remember if the '81 was the year of rear axle parking brake or not(it was right around that year model for the switch over). If it doesn't have the e-brake from the factory, I don't know of any reason to swap it in.

Jack
 
Cool, thanks again. I guess I'll just keep it around for parts or build it up with all the goodies, then I can throw it in. Hopefully I will be able to have the front in by the end of the week. I am going to flip the springs while I am at it, as I came across a set of 2.5 inch springs in the mix. Big thanks to Mark here in Fallon, he really set me up with some goodies. Anybody got any tips on flipping the springs? Any troubles? Seems like redrilling center pin and lengthened driveshaft.......anything else?
 
Got the new front end in with the springs tonight. All we have now is rear springs, alignment, and bleed the brakes and we are money. Picking up the locker Friday and putting my 3rd member in. Pics will come hopefully tomorrow.:clap::clap::clap:

Chris
 
SO STOKED! Got the rear springs in....and my :princess: did it with me.(i am so proud of her) John and Dan came over and we put the new brake pads and cylinders in the rear and got them adjusted. After bleeding the brakes we test drove it and I AM AMAZED! Like driving a totally different cruiser. All I have left is the locker and my 3rd member this weekend and we are ready to wheel!:bounce::bounce2::bounce::bounce2:

On another note, the spare rear end I got has a small issue.....the pinion shaft bolt was broke,:doh: now it is stuck in the shaft and no love getting it out. Anybody got any tips???

I will have pics up tomorrow.

Chris:cheers:
 
rusty_tlc said:
My rear shackles looked like your front, I cut them off and moved them in.
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Yeah, that is the plan of action. Probably going to go with another inch over shackle in the front and 2 inches in the back. Anybody have some shackles they might want to part with?
 
slvrbck said:
Yeah, that is the plan of action. Probably going to go with another inch over shackle in the front and 2 inches in the back. Anybody have some shackles they might want to part with?
Click to expand...

I have a drill press and a 5/8" drill bit, how long do you want your shackles?

Eventually you may want to do a shackle reversal and get those rock hangers off the front.
 
rusty_tlc said:
I have a drill press and a 5/8" drill bit, how long do you want your shackles?

Eventually you may want to do a shackle reversal and get those rock hangers off the front.
Click to expand...

Heck yeah!! Eye to eye 5 1/2 on 1 set and 6 1/2 on the other. Name your price!!! Big thanks!

I'm going to get a shackle reversal sometime or another, but I'm not sure on which one to buy or build???:meh:

Chris
 
Just got back from stretching the ole 40's legs for the first time since the springs went on 2 days ago. Got the extended brake line on and we are ready to rock and roll. Gonna wait for the locker til the PS comes though!!!
 
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