fj40/fj55 axel Swap

[CarmMontana]

Hey everybody I have a quick question, will mini truck axles just swap right in to a fj55? And if so would that be a bad move, I mean are they as tough etc...? I have a guy telling me that I could do that and get both axles from a parts truck with all disc brakes and be better off. I am trying to go Disc brake on the front axle. Yes No? Just want to make sure... Thanks

 

[John Smith]

Hey everybody I have a quick question, will mini truck axles just swap right in to a fj55? And if so would that be a bad move, I mean are they as tough etc...? I have a guy telling me that I could do that and get both axles from a parts truck with all disc brakes and be better off. I am trying to go Disc brake on the front axle. Yes No? Just want to make sure... Thanks

The minitruck / hilux rear axle is centered, are you going to change your transfer case also? It would be the perfect time to install a Toybox and a minitruck transfercase while you are at it.

 

[CarmMontana]

Would that be better than what I currently have on my 1969 fj55 and would it bolt up to my tranny proper?

 

[John Smith]

Would that be better than what I currently have on my 1969 fj55 and would it bolt up to my tranny proper?

Swap over the minitruck knuckles to get disc brakes along with large pattern and fine spline birfs. That will be much better than the drums and coarse spine birfs you have now. No a Toybox and minitruck transfer case will not just bolt up. You have to do quite a bit of work to install them in your truck.

 

[slickrock]

it would take you a lot longer and more money to install those axles compared to keeping your axles and swapping over the knuckles out for disk brakes.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

THe rear axle center is wrong, the differentials are much weaker, there just is no reason to do this. Grab everything on the front axle from the knuckle balls out and upgrade your front end.

 

[Pighead]

Hmmm....pretty much the same answer you got from the 55 section.
Don't listen to the junkyard guy.

 

[CarmMontana]

Alright Alright, looks like my mind is made up, or for me = ). Thanks guys. I will get with the part snagging asap.

 

[slickrock]

While your at it. Get an axle rebuild kit before you start tearing down your axle. You will be happy to have the parts on hand and you will have an axle that will run another 200,000 miles without issue.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

X2!

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While your at it. Get an axle rebuild kit before you start tearing down your axle. You will be happy to have the parts on hand and you will have an axle that will run another 200,000 miles without issue.

 

[poose]

Why not Switch to FJ 60 axles

 

[slickrock]

I just finished doing that. It is time consuming and you need to out-board the spring perches 1.25" and gussett them. Other than that, it works fantastic. Don't forget to get 1.5" spacers for the rear.

 

[handcannon]

slickrock

I need some info. You say that 60 series axles need to be outboarded 1.25 inches. Somewhere else here on MUD I found the figure of 1.5 inches, but don't remember where. Could you give me your input on how you came up with the 1.25 dimension? I am gathering parts to do this swap and all the info I can collect will be appreciated.

Thanks
Don

 

[slickrock]

The axle is 3"s wider than a 40 series axle. But, that does not mean the perches automatically move out 1.5"s. To see this, measure the center holes of the 40 spring mounting plate. It will give you a number in inches.

Then measure the spring mounting plate's centers on the 60 axle. That number will be 2.5" wider than the 40 axle. That means the spring mounts are not in the "exact" same relationship to the 40 axle and need to be 1.25”s wider ont he frame mounts to match the center holes on the 60 axle plates.

Since the key measurement is the difference between the center holes for the springs to lock into, that is where the 1.25"s wider comes from because you need to take into account where the springs mount to the axle.

 

[John Smith]

Couldn't you just cut off the perches and weld new ones in where a standard 40 perch would be? Seems like a lot of work when you could instead bolt on 1.5" wheel spacers.

 

[Pighead]

Couldn't you just cut off the perches and weld new ones in where a standard 40 perch would be?

I think there's a pumpkin in the way.

 

[handcannon]

The axle is 3"s wider than a 40 series axle. But, that does not mean the perches automatically move out 1.5"s. To see this, measure the center holes of the 40 spring mounting plate. It will give you a number in inches.

Then measure the spring mounting plate's centers on the 60 axle. That number will be 2.5" wider than the 40 axle. That means the spring mounts are not in the "exact" same relationship to the 40 axle and need to be 1.25”s wider ont he frame mounts to match the center holes on the 60 axle plates.

Since the key measurement is the difference between the center holes for the springs to lock into, that is where the 1.25"s wider comes from because you need to take into account where the springs mount to the axle.

Thank you slickrock!

This is something I've been planning on doing, but the axle is still under the 40, which of course makes it a bit harder to measure. I'm trying to get everything laid out ahead of time to make the swap go quicker. The 1.25 inch per side kinda threw me for a loop since I've been picking up material to go 1.5 inch per side.

Don

 

[slickrock]

I thought the same. IF I went 1.5 th springs would mount wider than the perches. Mine are nice and lined up.
And you can't jsut move the perches on th axle as asked, the passenger side will sit on the pumpkin.

 

[poose]

I guess now I know why

 

[handcannon]

Thanks slickrock

Good time to catch the 1/4 inch difference. I am a ways away from doing the swap unfotunately. I've got bare 60 housings front and rear, mini truck axle for knuckles, third members, most of the steel needed for making the outboard brackets, and time. BUT, I'm laid up right now due to illness and surgeries and can't do anything heavy yet. I'm hoping I can get my son to help by making some tripod stands about 40 inches high to put the axles on so I can start cleaning, painting, and swapping smaller, lighter parts. I'm bored, tired of TV (I've watched more TV in the last 2 monthes than I've watched over the last 10 years), and tired of sitting for hours on end.

Don