Four Wheeler Mag "Birfield Eliminator"

[TX_TLC]

So I open my September issue of Four Wheeler magazine, that I got in the mail today to find a couple articles about replacing the Birfield set up with a more conventional U-joint set up.

The first on page 40 is offered by All Pro which "created this awesome Toyota axle by fitting a Toyota housing with huge Ford F-450 bearings, U-joints and hubs. This eliminates the Birfield joint and replaces them with Dana 60 U-joints." It goes on to say it uses custom rotors, spindles, and calipers to fit common 15", 6 lug wheels. Sounds expensive!

So I have to admit this sounds like a very stout modification...but wanted to get some other feedback...

The other article on page 48 describes a kit that uses your stock axle housing but replaces everything else, including inner and outer axleshafts made from 4340 high nickel alloy steel, new spindles, U-joints, bronze housing bushings, and housing seals. To "add ultimate joint strenth to the heavy-duty axle kit we decided to use a set of CTM Racing U-joints."

First off, it only mentions Toyota trucks and 4Runners..."from 1979 to 1985 U.S. models, Toyota used straight front axles that incorporated a vernerable closed-knuckle design SIMILAR to what it had been using on the Land Cruiser."

So will this kit work on the Cruiser? How much stronger would the U-joint be over the Birfield?

Sitting at 130K knowing I need to atleast rebuild my Birfs...would this be something to even consider doing? Presently I have stock suspension and stock tire size...

I leave this open for discusion...and I will enjoy reading everyones opinions.

DC

P.S. I will provide the contact information for the part Sources that Four Wheeler used if anyone would like them.

 

[semlin]

you want to spend big $$ to put ford pieces in your stock 80?? Spend the money on a lift and armour then go see if you ever want to drive your truck hard enough to break a birfield.

 

[landtoy80]

http://www.marlincrawler.com/axleparts.html
Its made by Randy's Rings.
Went to Randys web site and didn't see it there. Don't know if its for the 80 though.
If it does, I may as well try it as I LOVE to dig into the knuckle and .......

 

[Bob_Garrett]

One of the trail leaders at Cruise Moab was running a similar setup on a early 90s Toy pickup with a solid axle swap. Seemed to work well. Not sure how good that setup would be on an 80 with full time 4wd. Isn't one of the advantages of the birfields reduced vibration over a standard u-joint setup?

Bob

 

[Landpimp]

1st problem, you are reading Four Wheeler

and no the kit for the mini truck(79-85) will not work on an 80. FWIW the birfield on a 79-85 mini is the same as a 79-90 fj40/55/60/62, the 80 series birfield is much bigger.

and NO I see no reason to do it and surely not if your stock.

remember there are lots of other cruisers besides 80 series......;

John H

So I open my September issue of Four Wheeler magazine

First off, it only mentions Toyota trucks and 4Runners..."from 1979 to 1985 U.S. models, Toyota used straight front axles that incorporated a vernerable closed-knuckle design SIMILAR to what it had been using on the Land Cruiser."

So will this kit work on the Cruiser? How much stronger would the U-joint be over the Birfield?

Sitting at 130K knowing I need to atleast rebuild my Birfs...would this be something to even consider doing? Presently I have stock suspension and stock tire size...

I leave this open for discusion...and I will enjoy reading everyones opinions.

DC

P.S. I will provide the contact information for the part Sources that Four Wheeler used if anyone would like them.

 

[Lars]

Spend the then go see if you ever want to drive your truck hard enough to break a birfield.

Perhaps an 80 series Birf is hard to break but I bet more important to most 80 owners is the maintenance.

There is a reason you dont see dozens of multi-page internet writeups on how to regrease and/or replace axle ujoints.

 

[firetruck41]

I don't think I mind spending one day and ~$300 every five years repacking the birfs. Especially when you think of the cost and work involved (if it's even possible )in switching the 80 series to U joints. In other words, not worth it, IMHO.

 

[Chris_Geiger]

I used to work at All Pro before quitting and working for Marlin Crawler. I owned the first D60/Toyota hybrid axle. and put it under my 1983 Pickup. I did brake a left side axle running Big Johnson in Johnson Valley. Later the axles were upgraded to chromo are these were much better. These are just about the right width at 62" wide. You can bolt in a non electric high pinion in the front diff.

There are several problems with this axle setup for use on the 80. The first is the total lack of coil spring mounts. This axle is setup for leaf springs and none of the link or coil mounts are on the axle. This axle was also not water proof. I never could keep water out of the hubs and in the 2 years I have the axle the hubs rusted up good, and I stayed away from water and mud as much as I could. The knuckle ball joints are also problem. I changed the ball joints twice in the time I owned it and my truck was only about 3000 lbs.

Before changing to this axle I broke too many birfields. Changing to this axle made the truck much more reliable, but the axle was not unbreakable. The current cost of this axle is $4,399


Here is the axle before I installed my own high steer arms...

Here is the rig after I converted it to a full buggy...

The Birfield eliminator kits don't fit the 80 series axle.

 

[Heffenoche]

Should we be bashing a magazine that has a writer/photographer at CMCC04? When the article gets published I'm pretty sure I'll buy that issue.

 

[TX_TLC]

I must say that I enjoy reading Four Wheeler, and do approach most of their writings, especially their tech articles, with a healthy amount of skepticism. As I would expect and hope most people do with many things they see and read online. Including this website...

I know they are trying to increase sales for these companies that allow them to use their products. I appreciate Chris_Geiger’s comments. I didn’t except for someone on here to have the original All Pro set up....very cool, thanks for your input.

Not to harp on this point but I was pleasantly surprised in last month’s issue with several Land Cruisers throughout the magazine including a LX450 in the Readers Rigs.

Thanks again for everyone’s comments.

 

[Landpimp]

I can bash whatever I want..........its called freedom of speach

really want a good mag? try Toyota Trails comes free with a TLCA membership

Should we be bashing a magazine that has a writer/photographer at CMCC04? When the article gets published I'm pretty sure I'll buy that issue.

 

[Junk]

Heffenoche - fyi, the dude that was there was freelance. The magazine did not tell a staff writer attend the event.

 

[ginericLC]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=268589

I'd be interested in these if Bobby decided to make them for 80s. Since they aren't softened they'd be hard enough for a full time rig. The quality of his stuff is top notch. I've inquired about them for an 80 but I'm really doubtful he will do it unless he sees a big demand. This could be a great alternative to OEM.

 

[Heffenoche]

Junk, very true that he is freelance but unless the TLCA has changed its tune lately you have a much better chance of having CMCC04 pics in Four Wheeler then you do in TT.

 

[Junk]

Heffenoche,
Actually, we are sending in an article to TJK, so if you have pics, please email them to me, also include a paragraph or two about your weekend.

 

[Heffenoche]

Junk, that's great to hear that TT may be printing an article about CMCC. I'm glad to see the change in opinion about non-sactioned cruiser events. Sorry but I left my camera at home during my hasty departure to get to the event.

 

[landtoy80]

I like the idea of the u-joint instead of the birf. I went to get a NEW steering knuckle u-joint for the TURD and its $13.