fj 60 axles under my fj40

[matchan420]

This is a re-post from the 40-55 thread. I want to run 37' with the SOA and add a leaf. Going with h41 and Orion, pinions at 4.11 stock. 2f motor strong after rebuild.
If I'm posting in the wrong place, let me know.


Im on the fence here, hoping you guys can push me in the right direction. For around $700 i can put the fj60 axles uner my rig, but the more I think about it I am wondering if its worth it! $700 is almost enough to buy an h41.

Please let me know if you have fj60 axles and if you dont, do you think its worth it?

Im doing a SOA w/ fj55 springs rear, I am atempting to build a mid level crawler, nothing to extreme though.

Thanks!

 

[bustanutley]

As far as value goes, since that seems to be the underlining question, the answer is: it depends.




What year is your truck?

 

[matchan420]

As far as value goes, since that seems to be the underlining question, the answer is: it depends.




What year is your truck?

Its a 76.

 

[Mace]

You will really appreciate the extra width.

what are you planning for steering?

 

[matchan420]

Saginaw power steering, what abpout 2' backspaced rims? much cheaper...

Thanks for your help

 

[bustanutley]

So. how the fj60 axles differ from your current axle are:

Width, 3”
Large pattern knuckles
Hubs. Your current axle uses the longer birfs and most likely warns.
Vented rotors
3.73

All of which except the gearing are upgrades, if it is worth 700 is up to you. I have an fj60 axle in the front of my truck. It is a ’70 however so every part was upgraded and I got my set of axles for much less. The width is money with 37s. For 40s I needed to add spacers. Outboarding the springs is easy, but kinda lame due to height restrictions. Widening your current axle is an option as well..

 

[bustanutley]

I am really not a fan of small backspacing or spacers. I run them, but I don't like them

 

[matchan420]

I am really not a fan of small backspacing or spacers. I run them, but I don't like them

I agree. I intend on using my 3rd member front and rear to keep my 4.11. Im thinking I will wait, this is my first build. Hopefully I will fit 36'-37' with the added leafs, some cutting...got to get the cancer out anyways.

Nice build by the way, spent some time looking at your work. Looks great!

 

[EWheeler]

I am on 37's and 60 axles. I comp cut my rear tub about an inch below the inner wheel well. The front fenders came the way they are and I don't have any clearance issues. I love my set-up so far.

 

[matchan420]

Looks great! Who makes those shock towers? Thats exactly how I want mine to sit.

 

[EWheeler]

Ford.

E5TZ-18183-A

 

[chicago]

Im just about to start this exact process. The width is for stability reasons and will be much appreciated. The word is that if you run off set rims and or spacers you wear out you bearings faster. I have 2.5 in BS rims, never had any problems with em. I ran em on my 62 when I had it.

You CAN find axles cheaper. It may take a while, but there are deals out there. Actually, come to think of it....for mine I only paid a couple hundred LESS than 700.00.

 

[matchan420]

Thanks. I have come across a junked 72' fj40, the body is free of cancer, all surface rust because all the paint burt off in a fire. I got the fenders and bib, there was no hood, eng, trans, tc...but it does have axles and rancho lift. Also it has a secondary fuel tank, its basically a box...im going to tear it out tomorrow (they want $50 for it) and am thinking about taking the windshield frame, no glass...shoul i get the axles and leafs for re-sale? Would there be a market her for them?

 

[crawlin cruiser]

I am on 37's and 60 axles. I comp cut my rear tub about an inch below the inner wheel well. The front fenders came the way they are and I don't have any clearance issues. I love my set-up so far.

nice 40.

sits perfect

 

[74fjsemistock]

I'll take those drum brakes with gravel.The windshield frame even missing a hinge is worth a couple bucks to a guy that hit's the rock and rolls.At least the bezel is right.Kep the brakes

 

[matchan420]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think im going to offer $500 for the firetruck as it sits. It a 72' frame and if I register that, no smog...and the tub is good, so why not! I am excited about the fj60 axles now. Cant wait to have it all done, hopefully I'll have enough money left to eat...

 

[matchan420]

Bought the burt fj40 for $300, totally stoked. Then I puller ford towers and they threw them in for free...now I have to break it to the woman.

 

[avanti179]

Hey matchan,

After reading a lot about the pros and cons, I just bought a set of FJ60 axles last night to swap under my 78 FJ40. The guy I got mine from bought them just for the large pattern knuckles to swap on his 40, so I will have to find knuckles, but I am thinking about running 6-shooters and 4x4Labs Frombe crossover anyways, so they would've been gone either way. From my research, as bustanutley said, the extra width and large pattern are by far the best advantages. I am going to have to piece together both front and rear brake setups, because they were junk, and I am going to try to keep my stock 40 axles together and sell them. I plan on running Poly Performance Chr-Mo in the rear($450) with an Aussie locker, and just bit the bullet and decided on Longfield's in the front($630) with either an Aussie or ARB(as funds allow), with 4:88's, riding on 37"s or 39.5"s. My biggest concern is gonna be the brakes and the fact that Oregon has pretty strict rules regarding how wide tires can stick out from the fender, as I plan on this not being a complete trailer queen. I am currently taking a break from the teardown/clean of the rear as we speak, but having never done much in the way of axle stuff, it seems like a pretty simple and straight forward swap. I am going to try to post a small build thread along the way, but as a poor college student, I don't plan on actually putting them in until this Fall sometime. I got some great info from member zornff, as he did this in his 40. Take care and good luck with the build!

Brian

 

[Mace]

It a 72' frame and if I register that, no smog...

Who told you that???

 

[matchan420]

Hey matchan,

After reading a lot about the pros and cons, I just bought a set of FJ60 axles last night to swap under my 78 FJ40. The guy I got mine from bought them just for the large pattern knuckles to swap on his 40, so I will have to find knuckles, but I am thinking about running 6-shooters and 4x4Labs Frombe crossover anyways, so they would've been gone either way. From my research, as bustanutley said, the extra width and large pattern are by far the best advantages. I am going to have to piece together both front and rear brake setups, because they were junk, and I am going to try to keep my stock 40 axles together and sell them. I plan on running Poly Performance Chr-Mo in the rear($450) with an Aussie locker, and just bit the bullet and decided on Longfield's in the front($630) with either an Aussie or ARB(as funds allow), with 4:88's, riding on 37"s or 39.5"s. My biggest concern is gonna be the brakes and the fact that Oregon has pretty strict rules regarding how wide tires can stick out from the fender, as I plan on this not being a complete trailer queen. I am currently taking a break from the teardown/clean of the rear as we speak, but having never done much in the way of axle stuff, it seems like a pretty simple and straight forward swap. I am going to try to post a small build thread along the way, but as a poor college student, I don't plan on actually putting them in until this Fall sometime. I got some great info from member zornff, as he did this in his 40. Take care and good luck with the build!

Brian

Sounds like you are on your way! I look forward to your build thread, I also want a rig that I can drive on the street, but I think I am going to use aussie front and rear, the arb are out of my budget.

Thanks for the feedback.