Full float axle infrequently asked questions

[bikersmurf]

FF axles are a neat non-USA novelty item, but not worth the trouble people go through for them.

Trouble... my semi float axles were shot due to pitting on the bearing surface so I bought a complete 45 FF axle for $50. The seller called me before I could come back with a truck and tools to pick it up and offered to sell me the 45 for $100 I didn't waste any time... and had it towed home before he could change his mind. All in all it cost me $150 for the 45 less the trans and T-Case. I sold off at least 3 times as many $ worth of parts. Oh to be the early '90s again.

Biggest up side is there's are races for the bearings and they don't rely on the axle surface.

For anyone wondering why it was being parted out... the part of the frame that hadn't been replaced with channel evaporated. The tub was rotted out, hardtop rough, 2F needed a rebuild, fenders shot, and box was confetti. I sold everything salvageable and the rest was recycled... that didn't crumble when touched. However, I've seen worse repaired now.

 

[Stumpalama]

I didn't see anyone offer these as a solution to the spindle nut issue. I used them in my rear of and they are working well.
http://www.trail-gear.com/product/4631/chromoly-spindle-nut-kit-toyota

 

[bikersmurf]

I didn't see anyone offer these as a solution to the spindle nut issue. I used them in my rear of and they are working well.
Chromoly Spindle Nut Kit (Toyota) - Trail Gear

They're an interesting solution but don't appear to have the oil seal to keep gear oil out of the wheel bearings. Which is fine for the front, but less desirable for the rear.

 

[stevebradford]

It may not be as Toyota designed, but it works well running the hubs on diff oil like most other full float axles out there including semi trucks. One thing i found is to set the wheel bearing up not too tight they get hot but tighter than looser. That way the hub seal isent flopping around wearing out. Most people have a hub running oil and don't even know due to lack of maintenance. When the seal wears out eventually and you get a very slow leak (Your running a hub dust seal right?) it dosent get into the brake it dribbles out the back of the backing plate onto your tire. 80 series would be different. Changing a hub seal is very easy and cheep. I carry a spare front free wheel hub if i ever broke a axle I could remove it. put the free wheel hub on my rear hub and keep on going.

Here are some threads where other people mention they are also just running oil.

full float rear axle seal question

Rear axle seal question....

 

[stevebradford]

Building your own full float.

there’s a lot of different options out there for building your own. I’m using these axle flanges.

Axle Flanges, Rear, Toyota, Full Float
They made to fit Toyota spindles and callipers. The problem with that is it leaves you with a parking break dilemma. other company’s make flanges to fit gm calipers so you get a parking brake. I wanted to stick with Toyota so I’m going to have to use a drive shaft brake. This is the one I have.

it works well the issues with them is if your not locked and have a wheel in the air it doesn’t work. Also if it gets bent you can’t drive although it dosent hang below the bottom of the tcase and there’s a skid plate.

Normally to align the flanges you would use a bar and pucks.

I don’t have these or feel like paying a thousand bucks for them. These flanges have to be aligned perfectly this sounds like it would work. (“You just have to build the outers with the axles, hubs, bearings and the plate (no seal), install the diff with a few nuts, and slide the whole assembly into place before you weld it. It was easy and I don't see how it's possible to make it anything other than perfect. The axle and diff acts as the alignment bar you're talking about.” Fast Eddy.) Perhaps not as good as alignment bar but sounds like it would work.

I got my new hubs from here very happy with them.
Rear Axle Full Float Hub 76-90 [FTL-621/42411-60011] - $170.63 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts

Axle seals need a insert I haven’t tried these out but they mount in the spindle in place of the bronze bushing. Full Float Seal Holder

Some usefull links.

Can a semi floater be converted to a FF axle?

Toyota Rear Full Floating Axle

FJ40 Full Floater Axle Build (IH8C-CLIPS)

Ruffstuff full float conversion

Toyota Rear Full Floating Axle Flanges!

 

[stevebradford]

Full float disc brakes kits.

Pre 8/80 full float axle (same 8 bolt pattern as a front Spindle)

FJ40 FJ45 Full Float Rear Axle Disc Conversion Kit [fj40fulldisckit] - $600.00 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts

Front Disc Brake Kit Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FJ45 FJ55 - JTOutfitters

Post 8/80 full float axle (four bolt pattern)

This one says it will fit late 40 and 60 series with the 4bolt.
http://redlinelandcruisers.com/product/toyota-land-cruiser-1960-1980-full-float-fj-40-45-55-60-rear-disc-brake-kit/

 

[Bluebj42]

Building a full float rear axle. there’s are a couple different options out there these Axle Flanges, Rear, Toyota, Full Float are for Toyota calipers but other company’s make some for gm calipers so you get a parking brake. I used this method to align them. (“You just have to build the outers with the axles, hubs, bearings and the plate (no seal), install the diff with a few nuts, and slide the whole assembly into place before you weld it. It was easy and I don't see how it's possible to make it anything other than perfect. The axle and diff acts as the alignment bar you're talking about.” Fast Eddy.) Perhaps not as good as alignment bar but seems to work.
View attachment 1601041
I have a disc drive shaft brake for my parking brake. Works dam good unless you bend it on a rock, but It dosent hang below my skid plate so I haven’t yet...
View attachment 1601052
New rear hubs are available from cruiserparts Joint Fuji : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts
View attachment 1601043
Axle seals need a insert I haven’t tried these out but they mount in the spindle in place of the bronze bushing. Full Float Seal Holder
View attachment 1601044
I got my full float axle shafts from here Toyota Land Cruiser Chromoly 30 Spline Axle Shafts, 40, 55, 70 Series Full Float, Pair (AX TFF-FJ40) they are made by nitro gear and custom lengths are available. And are cut with longer splines for fit stock Toyota lockers.
View attachment 1601042
It you need hub studs and cone washers these guys have several options much stronger than stock. Trail-Gear Super Metal Hub Stud Kit, for 2 Hubs (300578-1-KIT)

Some usefull links.

Can a semi floater be converted to a FF axle?

Toyota Rear Full Floating Axle

FJ40 Full Floater Axle Build (IH8C-CLIPS)

Ruffstuff full float conversion

Where do you get the tcase brake?

 

[stevebradford]

I got mine from here for the split case.
Disc Brake Parking Brake Conversion Kit for Split Case [46550-Splitdiskkit] - $399.99 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts

There’s other options out there that include the one peice cases.
land cruiser transfer case disc brake - بحث Google

 

[Bluebj42]

not everyone can see the evidence of the spun bearing race.

What do you see?

 

[brian]

What do you see?

The extra step on the outside bearing surface.

 

[Bluebj42]

You mean like this? Both mine look like this off my 1981 are they all spun

 

[POPO AGIE]

I used the conversion flanges from Front Range Off Road similar to the Ruff Stuff flanges, and welded them to the outer axle tube and the inner tube. Bought spindles from Man a Fre then reused my front hubs because I did a big brake kit on the front. The conversion flange allowed me to use Toyota calipers, and rotors from a FJ40/60 series.
When I ordered my H55F and split transfer case I had it built with the Toyota parking brake because I only wanted 1 drum brake and it worked well other then when the seal leaked with the 4 speed and one piece transfer case.