Factory Birfields or Longfield chromoly set? (2 Viewers)

[OpossumWrangler]

I'm looking for some advise from first hand experience. I am about to do a knuckle rebuild on my 1997 that I just bought. The birfields are also clicking on both sides at full steer so I'm sure they need replaced while I'm in there. My question is, should I just buy a factory set or go ahead and get the Longfield super set on trail gear? I do want to lift the truck eventually and Ill probably be running 35s (possibly 37). I just don't know if it justifies the cost, my little xj has been running 35x12.50s on factory axles for 7 years now. I don't have the experience with these trucks to know if that would be overkill or not. The set is on sale right now, so that is a factor. I'm also pretty sure I read somewhere that the chromoly shafts and birfields wear out the axel seal faster?

Here is the kit in question: Longfield FJ80 30 Spline Birfield/Axle Super Set, Gun Drilled - https://trail-gear.com/longfield-fj80-30-spline-birfield-axle-super-set-gun-drilled.html

 

[Rifleman]

Now one mistake I've seen more then a few people make, they will oil the threads on a fastener before they torque it, Unless oil is specified in the Factory service manual fasteners should be torqued DRY, NO OIL on the threads,

 

[JD Films]

Bringing this thread back up because Trail Gear has 25% off until the 5th. Longfield 30 spline gun drilled birfields are $286 each. They also have the 24 spine option. The kits with birfields and axle shafts are on sale also.

Longfield FJ80 Gun Drilled 30-Spline Birfield

trail-gear.com

I also have a question about the birfield size. I have a custom front end for my FJ55 project. Ruff Stuff housing made for a 9.5" diff, drivers side drop for the Tundra 4.7 & trans I'm using, I am using all of the FJ80 outer parts. The WMS is 66" (2.5" wider than stock 80 series) so I need to get custom inner axles and will be starting a thread about that.
When I saw the Longfield's were on sale I ordered the 30 spline gun drilled birfields. When I got them they seemed smaller than they should be so I measured and they are only about 4" diameter. Stock 80 series are 5" right? Are Longfields and maybe also RCV a little smaller than stock and just use stronger materials? Or they sent me the wrong Longfields? I think 4" is to big for the mini truck and 60 series though? And these are the longer ones with two c-clip groves at the end. The part numbers on the bags that the birfields are in match and say FJ80 30 spline. I emailed Trail Gear and they asked me to send photos and haven't gotten back to me. I should call but wanted to post here so others would know about the sizes once its all figured out.

I also found out yesterday that Nitro Gear went out of business. When I started this project 7-8 years ago and bought the front housing I was planning on going with Nitro's birfields and custom inner axles at the time but the project got sidelined for awhile.

 

[jeffro109]

I've not seen a published spec for that, I'll have to look given what I'm seeing, you need shafts, altered seal placement or speedy sleeve.

Any additional info on the speedy sleeve? I could use a pair for an OEM front axle '96 80 series.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any additional info on the speedy sleeve? I could use a pair for an OEM front axle '96 80 series.

I was looking for a measured spec, not the speedy sleeve. While the repair sleeve are easy enough to source, we've never offered them for the inner axles because simply replacing the inner axles is the better solution imo. We stock a wide variety of inner axles for the 80 Series, OEM, aftermarket, combo's from RCV, Longfield, etc. Good quality shafts start at $97.50. We've sold hundreds of those with great longevity and fitment.

Replacement Inner Axle Shafts - Aftermarket Right Hand (Short) Inner Axle - Fits 1991 - 1997 FJ/FZJ/HZJ/HDJ80 & LX450 Applications (FAXT80FRH)

Toyota Land Cruiser Axle Shafts / Birfields

cruiserteq.com

 

[JD Films]

Bringing this thread back up because Trail Gear has 25% off until the 5th. Longfield 30 spline gun drilled birfields are $286 each. They also have the 24 spine option. The kits with birfields and axle shafts are on sale also.

Longfield FJ80 Gun Drilled 30-Spline Birfield

trail-gear.com

I also have a question about the birfield size. I have a custom front end for my FJ55 project. Ruff Stuff housing made for a 9.5" diff, drivers side drop for the Tundra 4.7 & trans I'm using, I am using all of the FJ80 outer parts. The WMS is 66" (2.5" wider than stock 80 series) so I need to get custom inner axles and will be starting a thread about that.
When I saw the Longfield's were on sale I ordered the 30 spline gun drilled birfields. When I got them they seemed smaller than they should be so I measured and they are only about 4" diameter. Stock 80 series are 5" right? Are Longfields and maybe also RCV a little smaller than stock and just use stronger materials? Or they sent me the wrong Longfields? I think 4" is to big for the mini truck and 60 series though? And these are the longer ones with two c-clip groves at the end. The part numbers on the bags that the birfields are in match and say FJ80 30 spline. I emailed Trail Gear and they asked me to send photos and haven't gotten back to me. I should call but wanted to post here so others would know about the sizes once its all figured out.

I also found out yesterday that Nitro Gear went out of business. When I started this project 7-8 years ago and bought the front housing I was planning on going with Nitro's birfields and custom inner axles at the time but the project got sidelined for awhile.

Following up on my post. Trail Gear replied and said the 4" bell diameter on their FJ80 Longfields is correct. Not sure why they make them an inch smaller than stock. Anyone else have older Longfields (pre Trail Gear) and know if they have always been that way, or were they bigger before?

 

[calokie]

Do some research on trail gear... RCV is gold. Best price is not always the best choice

AKA
Turd Gear

 

[Broski]

Just go with RCV if you want the best !!

 

[scottryana]

Following up on my post. Trail Gear replied and said the 4" bell diameter on their FJ80 Longfields is correct. Not sure why they make them an inch smaller than stock. Anyone else have older Longfields (pre Trail Gear) and know if they have always been that way, or were they bigger before?

They were fullsize before they were bought by Trail Gear. Send them back and buy RCV

 

[JD Films]

They were fullsize before they were bought by Trail Gear. Send them back and buy RCV

I'm leaning in that direction now for sure.

Edit, I see they might charge a 20% restocking fee which would kind of suck...

 

[scottryana]

I'm leaning in that direction now for sure.

Edit, I see they might charge a 20% restocking fee which would kind of suck...

Would suck less than having a birf break in the middle of no where.

 

[JD Films]

Might be a long shot, but does anyone have a used/bad 94+ birfield they would sell me, or I can just pay shipping if you want to get rid of it. It would help if I had one to try and get a more accurate measurement for the custom length inner axles that I need to order.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Might be a long shot, but does anyone have a used/bad 94+ birfield they would sell me, or I can just pay shipping if you want to get rid of it. It would help if I had one to try and get a more accurate measurement for the custom length inner axles that I need to order.

Maybe try asking in a California cruiser club if there's one near you.

North American Clubhouses - West Region

for those near the Pacific Ocean

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Broski]

Just curious
Why did you go with the housing that’s 2 1/2 inches wider than a stock 80.
Seems like the tires are gonna stick out a lot on a 55, Plus if you break an axle on the trail you need a custom axle to repair it. Nobody’s gonna have that.

 

[smritte]

Might be a long shot, but does anyone have a used/bad 94+ birfield they would sell me, or I can just pay shipping if you want to get rid of it. It would help if I had one to try and get a more accurate measurement for the custom length inner axles that I need to order.

Let me see if I still have mine. Its been a while since I replaced them with the chromo's. I'm about 40 mins from you. If I do have them, your welcome to them.

 

[JD Films]

Just curious
Why did you go with the housing that’s 2 1/2 inches wider than a stock 80.
Seems like the tires are gonna stick out a lot on a 55, Plus if you break an axle on the trail you need a custom axle to repair it. Nobody’s gonna have that.

Apparently I like to make things difficult for myself... But I already had a rear 9" rear end with the wider WMS that I am using. And I've seen other 55's running wheel spacers on 60 or 80 axles that worked. I don't like running spacers though. I've also talked to my friend at Fiberwerx about making custom front fenders with a bigger wheel opening and maybe a slight bulge. That's way down the road though after its running. The rear would be more difficult to change because of the doors, if at all.
Regarding the inner axles I thought I was going to be good with the 30 spline axles that Trail Gear offers for their 67" housing, and might have to trim one or both down 1/2" or less on the inner side, but turns out they only work with the older mini trucks/4runners because of the seal surface size on the axle. So now I will have to go with custom lengths from RCV. Either their regular ones that are already stronger than stock or just go all in on 300m.

Maybe someday I'll build it like the rendering that Boxrocket_designs did on Instagram. just dreaming, lol.

 

[scottryana]

I ran 80 axles on a 55 and with no spacers and moderate off set you have quite a lot of width. An 80 axle is 8” wider than the 55 axles

 

[Broski]

I ran 80 axles on a 55 and with no spacers and moderate off set you have quite a lot of width. An 80 axle is 8” wider than the 55 axles

^^^ This
I saw a 55 on a 80 chassis & suspension last weekend at Panament Valley Days it looked perfect !! LS swapped as well thing was SWEET !

 

[smritte]

I saw a 55 on a 80 chassis & suspension last weekend at Panament Valley Days it looked perfect !! LS swapped as well thing was SWEET !

Sorry...Off Topic.
How was PVD. I haven't been for a while. Was going to go but just got my gears installed the week before and didn't have time to get ready.

 

[Broski]

Sorry...Off Topic.
How was PVD. I haven't been for a while. Was going to go but just got my gears installed the week before and didn't have time to get ready.

Good time was had by all !
I didn’t do any Rock Crawling but it was a nice change of pace

 

[scottryana]

Apparently I like to make things difficult for myself... But I already had a rear 9" rear end with the wider WMS that I am using. And I've seen other 55's running wheel spacers on 60 or 80 axles that worked. I don't like running spacers though. I've also talked to my friend at Fiberwerx about making custom front fenders with a bigger wheel opening and maybe a slight bulge. That's way down the road though after its running. The rear would be more difficult to change because of the doors, if at all.
Regarding the inner axles I thought I was going to be good with the 30 spline axles that Trail Gear offers for their 67" housing, and might have to trim one or both down 1/2" or less on the inner side, but turns out they only work with the older mini trucks/4runners because of the seal surface size on the axle. So now I will have to go with custom lengths from RCV. Either their regular ones that are already stronger than stock or just go all in on 300m.

Maybe someday I'll build it like the rendering that Boxrocket_designs did on Instagram. just dreaming, lol.

View attachment 3771798

View attachment 3771799

Haha this does look pretty Badass!!