So it looks like I may have sold my 55 and now I am looking hard at a local 40. Its a 74 set up nicely except for the fact that the PO forgot to do a disc conversion. What kind of cash am I looking at to get it done...can it be done by a mechanic with brains and some time? Better to just swap out an entire axel? I'm mostly interested in how much it will cost since its something I'll need to do if I want to eventually run bigger tires than the 32s that are on there now.
If you can find a '76 - '78 axle for cheap that is real easy. I would say your best bet is to do a mini-disc swap. They are easier to find and the install isn't very hard at all. Besides it will give you the better birf as a perc.
76-78 axle
+ bolt in, vented discs
- can be expensive, most need rebuilding knuckles anyway, birfs are harder to find
79-83 axle
+ bolt in, vented discs, large steering arm studs and bolt pattern, Aisin hubs
- very expensive, wrong diff ratio, but changing diffs means you might as well as replace the knuckle seals anyway
mini axle
+ cheaper, large steering arm studs and bolt pattern, Aisins
- non vented discs, for sure you need to redo knuckle seals, need to resize drag link (cut and re-tap)
Then there are 60 series knuckle swap, 70 series axle, 60 series axle, Dana 60 swap, etc.
As another option... I used the MAF Front Disc Conversion kit on my '72 FJ40. I've had it on for 4+ years now with not a single problem. I've gone through 2 sets of pads and still have LOTS of rotor left. The rotors are cross-drilled and slotted so they stop very well.
At the time I did the swap I was about a mechanic and I had no problems with the install at all.
The calipers are from 4-piston Wilwood and parts/pads are available at most speed shops or directly from them online. They are very easy to work with. I got my replacement pads locally.
Everything bolted on easily with no fabrication necessary. The kit is a little more than a good used '76+ axle. I'd recommend it.
In the Bay Area , front 40 series 76-78 axles go for $450-600 depending on condition. Mini axles go for $200-250. I haven't seen many 79-83 40 series getting parted out around here. You can keep your own axle housing, inner axles and diffs and just use mini parts to convert to discs.
Yes, the MAF kit gives you brand new bling calipers, pads and drilled rotors, but you keep your old drum brake spindle, locking hubs and coarse spline birfield. OTOH spare birfs and spindles are cheaper than dirt (unless you buy it at Rubithon ) Not a bad choice if you use the rig mainly on the street.
Do the mini truck parts upgrade. The brakes work great and unless you're just street driving you'll probably end up needing to replace the birf's you have eventually.
Swapping in an entire axle is the easiest, but if I had just bought a used axle I would want to do a knuckle job anyway. I vote buy knuckle parts and swap them on your axle.
79-83 Cruiser knuckles here.
Nets you large bolt pattern, stronger birf (same as mini), cruiser vented rotors, tie rod should match etc.
$200 for used birf, complete knucles and lockout in good shape.
$80 a side rotor
I think 70 something a side loaded caliper
30-40 new seals (already had bearings).
a long day of work.
Oh and $400 for Chromoly inners and Longfield outers. Might as well.
Another idea if you are as cheap as I am. I found a 79 FJ55 that was totally rotted away in the body and some frame rust. 2F, 4 speed, transfer case, AC, complete and all original. I bought it for $900 delivered to my door. I yanked the front disc parts as mentioned in above posts and rebuilt the front knuckles for my 1974 FJ40. I then parted the 1979 FJ55 for about $2000. It had original working complete AC which helped that number and some other decent parts.
It requires patience to find a donor and being ultra cheap.
I actually was able to buy an 81' minitruck axle for $100. used everything out of it and I think that was all I spent. I took me an afternoon. I did take it to a shop to get the birfields separated though (but that only costed me a box of dougnuts ).
I am torn, you all offer good reason to do either. The truck just had the entire driveline including diffs rebuilt less than 300 miles ago so I don't want to mess with getting a lemon axel in the trade. BTB has a kit for around $600 that looks pretty nice. SOR wants $750 for used parts to do a conversion! If I could find the parts locally I would hire some other cruiser head to come over to my place and help me with the project. I am not a mechanic and messing with brakes is a bit scary...since they have to stop me and my children. Any takers on the offer? Big steaks, beer and a nice $hand shake to help me with the job
I did mine the first time without really knowing how to adjust or bleed brakes. The next morning we went wheeling. Having to pump the brakes 5 times to get some feel didn't scare me. Unfortunatly, not much has changed.
If you have a decent set of hand tools it is not difficult.
Just start doing it by the tech pages Jeff Zepp and Morgan Fletcher wrote. It is quite do-able for an ER guy You'll need to be able to do those things anyway to replace a birfield. As far as the brakes, buy all rebuilt stuff, don't reuse the old pieces and you'll feel much better.
If you get stuck, let me know, I can help a buddy out.
Dro-Don't be in too big a hurry. The stuff you want comes up all the time. I think you want mini-truck or FJ60 parts. You don't need the whole axle, just everything from the knuckle out. I think it is worth getting the larger knuckle stud and stud pattern so I would not get a '76-'78 axle unless you get a screaming deal. Find someone parting out a 60 or 62 buy stuff from the knuckle out and I'll help you with the conversion. There is a guy on the LCML Gary Schmauch that frequently parts out FJ60's. I have purchased 2 sets of FJ60 front axle parts from him for $175-$200 (I don't remember exactly). He's a really good guy to deal with and packs stuff very carefully. PM me if you want his email. Where you want to spend your money is on stuff like Longfields, new rotors, rebuilt calipers and new bearings. I would not buy parts from SOR or MAF because they will charge you a premium. You'll still end up spending $400-$500($750 if you go LongFields) but no one said owning Land Cruisers was cheap. Next time you are in Sac, come by and I'll show you the 60 series conversion that I did on my 40. I also have a complete set of 60 series axle parts for spares so I can show you exactly what is involved if you have never been in a Cruiser axle before. The wheeling season is winding down anyway so don't rush things or you'll spend too much and not get what you want. I would spend the fall and winter building for next year and do everything right.
Thanks Andrew, I'll have to take you up on that offer. Now that I am not an intern life is a bit better...wait I am still q3 on ICU, nevermind!
I am putting the brakes on this truck I was looking at so I may end up with discs from the get go. Let me know if you come across a nice cruiser in the area. Thanks
Dan
Dro-Don't be in too big a hurry. The stuff you want comes up all the time. I think you want mini-truck or FJ60 parts. You don't need the whole axle, just everything from the knuckle out. I think it is worth getting the larger knuckle stud and stud pattern so I would not get a '76-'78 axle unless you get a screaming deal. Find someone parting out a 60 or 62 buy stuff from the knuckle out and I'll help you with the conversion. There is a guy on the LCML Gary Schmauch that frequently parts out FJ60's. I have purchased 2 sets of FJ60 front axle parts from him for $175-$200 (I don't remember exactly). He's a really good guy to deal with and packs stuff very carefully. PM me if you want his email. Where you want to spend your money is on stuff like Longfields, new rotors, rebuilt calipers and new bearings. I would not buy parts from SOR or MAF because they will charge you a premium. You'll still end up spending $400-$500($750 if you go LongFields) but no one said owning Land Cruisers was cheap. Next time you are in Sac, come by and I'll show you the 60 series conversion that I did on my 40. I also have a complete set of 60 series axle parts for spares so I can show you exactly what is involved if you have never been in a Cruiser axle before. The wheeling season is winding down anyway so don't rush things or you'll spend too much and not get what you want. I would spend the fall and winter building for next year and do everything right.
