FJ80 FF rear swap or not (1 Viewer)

[Florida 80]

Hey guys,

I have done alot of reading on FF rear ends and know that the consensus (for the most part here) is that the FF is stronger and better overall. I am not looking to start another debate (I know about the axel break senarios and the sf wheel comming off), but I do want an overall dependability and before I sink $ into an air locker I want to know what you guys think.

I have a 92 with a SF, and I am building more of an expedition rig and dont do any hard rock crawling or anything. Mostly trail rides with some light to moderate off roading. Is it worth swapping in the FF rear before I do an air locker? I like the rear disk brakes....but not sure it is worth finding a FF and doing the swap for my purposes.

What say MUD?

 

[Ebag333]

Leave it SF and put an aussie in the rear.

 

[Florida 80]

Do the Aussies make much noise?

 

[Ebag333]

Not unless windows are down, you're going slow, and are turning sharp.

 

[jynx]

Unless you have a FF already or you are looking to upgrade the brakes or other specific reason, I would just keep the SF.

Swapping a FF is relatively straight forward, but the brakes of a SF are simpler and the e-brake is self adjusting which is a plus in my book, something I have decided after my swap. Still trying to get mine adjusted to hold like I want.

I did the swap last year and overall it turned out to be a good option for me because my old axle was pretty rusted out. I had already bought the axle for the chunk to regear and minimize downtime. I had originally planned to just run the SF until some later date, but decided to go ahead and rebuild the FF.

The total cost is going to depend on how much work you want to do, or need to do, on the donor axle. I ended up doing a full top to bottom rebuild and between the sandblasting, new brake rotors, calipers, e-brake parts, gears.... I probably had over a grand in it all total.

Overall the SF is a good axle and there are thousands of them running around the world without issue. As you mention, the debate has been hashed and without rehashing it I would offer that they are probably about even overall, but in different ways. Pure torsion vs. torsion + vertical loads.

Besides, if you put in an ARB, you can always just swap the chunk into a FF later on if you do swap. Both axles take the same 9.5" chunk.

 

[86tuning]

Leave it SF and put an aussie in the rear.

+1

I'm not gonna lie, the rear lockers are not transparent on the street. But you won't find it objectionable at all. Only the driver knows it's there. Once you're off pavement you will love it.

Best bang for the buck. I've never even heard mine clack. I know when it is, because I can feel it's action, but your passengers won't notice at all

 

[kidglove13]

another vote for leave the SF and add an aussie or a lock right

 

[mmuthart]

How much for the ARB parts and install? An e-locked FF might be had for similar price. That's the route I went; install is simple, and actuating the Toyota e-locker is super easy with an inexpensive harness from 12voltguy.com.

 

[Florida 80]

Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like I will be ok with an Aussie. My biggest concern was the noise of an Aussie because I drive it on the road a good bit (not DD, but I like to drive it).

How much for the ARB parts and install? An e-locked FF might be had for similar price. That's the route I went; install is simple, and actuating the Toyota e-locker is super easy with an inexpensive harness from 12voltguy.com.

I know the ARBs are about $900 the compressor $200ish and not sure of the install cost (I can do the compressor, but prob not tapping the 3rd and setup). I have heard that the e-lockers are a pain to retriofit (is that true??), but not sure what I could get one for either. What did yours cost? I would be good with that if the cost is a little less than the ARB and the install wasnt to big of a pain.

 

[kidglove13]

Just put the aussie in
The noise is marginal at best
I DD mine for a couple of years hardly knew it was there
I dont think you can retrofit a rear elocker into a SF housing
Is either all or nothing

 

[Florida 80]

Just put the aussie in
The noise is marginal at best
I DD mine for a couple of years hardly knew it was there
I dont think you can retrofit a rear elocker into a SF housing
Is either all or nothing

10-4..I realize I would have to swap the whole axel on an e-locker set up, but that was what I was looking to do anyway with the ARB, but if that is cheaper then may be an option.

It sounds like the Aussie may be the best overall option if you guys think it wont bother me on the road. I just dont have any experience with them, so i was a little hesitant to go that route.

 

[ST8ROCKS]

Driving down the road it will not bother you at all. When turning in a parking lot you will hear a slight clicking but again this shouldn't bother you. Should make you feel like a BA for having a locker!

My number one choice would be the e-locker but that is only because I like keeping the truck close to factory.

 

[kidglove13]

10-4..I realize I would have to swap the whole axel on an e-locker set up, but that was what I was looking to do anyway with the ARB, but if that is cheaper then may be an option.

It sounds like the Aussie may be the best overall option if you guys think it wont bother me on the road. I just dont have any experience with them, so i was a little hesitant to go that route.

It is the best overall option for you
And the install is really easy on a SF axle

 

[busmup808]

I'm planning on putting a Aussie in my FF rear axle. I have a 91 and had a 94 that i rolled. That's why I swapped the axle before giving the rolled LC away. I went with the stonger axle. I swapped the axle when I lifted the LC. ARB's would be great(the best), but with only on a budget I have to go with the Aussie. Here is a picture of the rear axle with my lift for ref. Good luck!

 

[mmuthart]

I know the ARBs are about $900 the compressor $200ish and not sure of the install cost (I can do the compressor, but prob not tapping the 3rd and setup). I have heard that the e-lockers are a pain to retriofit (is that true??), but not sure what I could get one for either. What did yours cost? I would be good with that if the cost is a little less than the ARB and the install wasnt to big of a pain.

The idea is to find a stock, factory locked rear axle from a '93-'97 FZJ80. I've seen these go for 1-1.5k. Bolt it in, wire a switch for the e-locker and your good. You will need the parking brake cable from the newer axle. That's it.

 

[busmup808]

The idea is to find a stock, factory locked rear axle from a '93-'97 FZJ80. I've seen these go for 1-1.5k. Bolt it in, wire a switch for the e-locker and your good. You will need the parking brake cable from the newer axle. That's it.

Wow! That's pretty up there. There's a junkyard here that wants $800 for the whole setup. I might go that rout , if I can juggle the other things I want for the cruiser. Mmuthart is correct. Your only unbolting the 4 bolts from the upper/lower control arms, brake cable, shocks, and brakeline. I did mines in half hr. total. I was stoke with how fast it took.

 

[Tapage]

weird no one mention that you can run SF ARB ( dunno if you are choosing ARB as a locker .. but that will be my recommendation ) on FF axle ..

IMOP it's nice upgrade to have .. FF plus rear disc ..

 

[ST8ROCKS]

For $1500 you should get both axles

The idea is to find a stock, factory locked rear axle from a '93-'97 FZJ80. I've seen these go for 1-1.5k. Bolt it in, wire a switch for the e-locker and your good. You will need the parking brake cable from the newer axle. That's it.

 

[mr jits]

I recently did the Aussie in the rear of my SF. Simple install, great traction, and from what I've read, super reliable.
If I ever go down the line of an axle swap, its going to be for a much more severe duty purpose than the LC axles can handle.
IMO, save your money and time for other projects.

 

[Florida 80]

Thanks for all the replies! You guys are always a great help.

I have a lot of options....not 100% on which route to run to be honest. Sounds like the SF will do what I need it to, but need to decide on the locker (unless I come across an e locker complete axel for the right price).

If anyone has a line on an e-locker complete or has any other suggestions....let me know.

Thanks again and if anyone else wants to weigh in let me hear it.