BJ74 - 60 series axles? 80 series coil conversion?

[rumsey86]

Hi all.
Wondering if anyone has done a 60 series axle swap on their bj74 and how easy/hard it was? And how$$$?

Another option I have seen a couple of people try is the 80 series coil conversion, but haven't found any info on how costly and involved it is.

I will be outsourcing the work if it goes beyond bolt on/off

Just looking at getting a wider track, better flex and more comfortable ride (isn't everyone).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ForealBoreal]

I have heard it has been done. Forget who about the 60 axles. A guy from NZ if i remember correctly.

As for your 80 series suspension in a 70. A forum members brother did it to his hzj75.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/member.php?u=60395
ask him.

 

[bj70_guy]

I have heard it has been done. Forget who about the 60 axles. A guy from NZ if i remember correctly.

Lowenbrau has 60 axles under his 74. He has a build thread here on mud.

 

[AlbertoSD]

Lowenbrau has 60 axles under his 74. He has a build thread here on mud.

x2

https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/139874-expedition-bj74-buildup.html

 

[rumsey86]

thanks for your help, I had started reading Lowenbrau's thread a while back but mustn't have got to the axle swap (btw his truck turned out awesome, huh)

Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[Malahki]

You could also widen one side of the 60 series front axle if going SOA or you could widen both sides of the 70 series front axle and stay SUA. The rear could be matched pretty close for width using an 80 series rear axle or using wheel spacers

https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/196544-notched-60-front-axles.html

 

[Hulsty]

I've done 60 axles front and rear on a mates SUA, front is a pain. On mine I run a 60 rear end and a widened 70 front end SUA.

If going coils I would go 80 rear, and widened 60 front.

 

[rumsey86]

I've done 60 axles front and rear on a mates SUA, front is a pain. On mine I run a 60 rear end and a widened 70 front end SUA.

If going coils I would go 80 rear, and widened 60 front.

Hulsty - What's the reason why you wouldn't go 80 front?

 

[jb BJ73]

Hulsty - What's the reason why you wouldn't go 80 front?

Bigger diffs in the older axles?
I wanna put 60 axles under my bj73

 

[ForealBoreal]

Bigger diffs in the older axles?
I wanna put 60 axles under my bj73

he would have little issues with his front drive shafts and I think it's generally thought having a bigger pumpkin makes the diff stronger. Birfs are only a hair larger.
He beats his s***

 

[jb BJ73]

Are the birfs bigger in the 80s? But aren't the diffs prone to breaking in reverse?

 

[Hulsty]

Hulsty - What's the reason why you wouldn't go 80 front?

Longfields are available for both, so that takes our the birfields. 60 front end has a stronger diff centre (especially in reverse where it is strongest), used centres/lockers are plentiful (in OZ anyway) and the knuckle is less prone to give issues with more after market steering options easily available.

80 front has better brakes though, you can upgrade the 60 calipers to HZJ75 calipers which makes a difference.

 

[rumsey86]

Longfields are available for both, so that takes our the birfields. 60 front end has a stronger diff centre (especially in reverse where it is strongest), used centres/lockers are plentiful (in OZ anyway) and the knuckle is less prone to give issues with more after market steering options easily available.

80 front has better brakes though, you can upgrade the 60 calipers to HZJ75 calipers which makes a difference.

Would modding the 60 front to suit coil set-up involve a whole lot more work?

Am I being naive in thinking using 80 fronts would use existing perches etc?

You do all your work yourself hey Hulsty? I think I went through your Silver Bullet project a while back and you did heaps. Where in Oz are you?

In fact, does anyone know of a suspension engineering place in Western Australia that would undertake a project like this? Getting the geometry issues and welding requirements of it all right far exceed my capabilities.

JB BJ73 - you're from bunbury right - know of anywhere?

 

[jb BJ73]

JB BJ73 - you're from bunbury right - know of anywhere?

Used to be in Bunbury, in Perth now. The only place I can think of here is Perth4x4(.net). They built a mad shorty GU patrol a while ago with the 4.5L Nissan v8

 

[mircea163]

I am thinking of putting 60 series under a BJ73, mainly for the OEM lockers and stability. I plan on NOT changing anything else, if I can. I've read lowenbrau's topic, but he changed to SOA, not what i need. Has anyone done this ? How easy is it ?

Edit: Not to post somewhere else, can i put the 60 series lockers in the BJ73 axles ? Assuming fully floating.

 

[coldtaco]

I am thinking of putting 60 series under a BJ73, mainly for the OEM lockers and stability. I plan on NOT changing anything else, if I can. I've read lowenbrau's topic, but he changed to SOA, not what i need. Has anyone done this ? How easy is it ?

Edit: Not to post somewhere else, can i put the 60 series lockers in the BJ73 axles ? Assuming fully floating.

your probably going to have to install new spring perches since they are probably different between the two, 60 vs 70.

 

[mircea163]

That's exactly the kind of info i am looking for.

 

[jfrench]

As for your 80 series suspension in a 70. A forum members brother did it to his hzj75.
wongtsenhin
ask him.

@wongtsenhin, details?

 

[coldtaco]

Edit: Not to post somewhere else, can i put the 60 series lockers in the BJ73 axles ? Assuming fully floating.

If you want to swap the innerds, then that will take some work too. You will have to properly notch the housing where the 3rd member bolts up to the axle housing. And you will need a new short axle shaft as the 60 one will be too long I believe. I think the long shaft will fit.

 

[mircea163]

Ok, thanks. One more (stupid?) question: can i use the locking mechanisms from a 60 on the 73 diffs ? Are they he same ?
The OEM bj73 lockers are vey rare here, i'm hoping to use the lockers off a 60 series.