Full floater vs semi floater
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Hmmm! Why are semi floats 1/2 ton rated and full floats 1 ton rated? Semi float WEIGHT and TORQUE on the axle = weaker unit. Full float no weight riding on the axle shaft it has a TORQUE load only and axle shaft is not necked down = stronger unit no hype. Why do you think all 3/4 ton up to heavy duty trucks use a full floater design. Full floaters are a better design plain and simple. FF uses same bearings as the front axle and mine has been serviced twice in the last 25 years. How many times do you have to service your front wheel bearings? Even less service is needed for the rear bearings. If you have a problem with the full float studs and pins shearing off then replace them with stronger studs. Good luck trying to break to axle shaft it's self. If the FF axle is a good price I'd go for it, strength and( I guess it gives you) coolness factor in North America. Upgraded axle shaft for a SF is a good choice if you can't find a FF or you just plain like a SF. 
I have a FF in my 61 with cable lockers. I have never had any issues with it. Once a year the bearings get repacked...just like the front.
I have upgraded the pins and studs to ARPs however.
My truggy is getting a 45 FF as well.
I have upgraded the pins and studs to ARPs however.
My truggy is getting a 45 FF as well.
Semi float WEIGHT and TORQUE on the axle = weaker unit. Full float no weight riding on the axle shaft it has a TORQUE load only and axle shaft is not necked down = stronger unit no hype.
actually, the FF axle and the SF axle are the same strength in the weak spot...where it enters the center unit, the splined end. they are the same size...
the SF is larger where it goes through the bearing since it does support AND drive as you pointed out.
cheers M8
I got them through Front Range fab
http://frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfo...id=58&osCsid=0e7c0e1abe659c948de74b245058dd6b
http://frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfo...id=58&osCsid=0e7c0e1abe659c948de74b245058dd6b
i think you answered your sarcastic question right there,,,, because the heavy trucks are rated to carry more WEIGHT, we arent gonna carry the kinds of weight a FF can handle we are only really interested in torque strength. and the FF is only marginally stronger than the SF. i know for sure a SF with chromo shafts is a stronger unit than a stock FF, all the axles i have seen break have broke where the axle enters the carrier, semi or full. the SF and FF are exaclty the same size right there and if you do the math you'll see the weight bearing on the SF's shaft at that point is only OZ's.
i say if you can get FF axles for the right price go for it, they do have many benefits. but if you only want a FF axle cause you think its mucho stronger, get chromo shafts for your SF and truly be stronger.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
As stated, I have seen way more problems with the FF axles when used under hard torque loads than I have the semifloats. I think where the full floats really shine for day to day load carrying.
And for whoever said they are hard to break is wrong. Radio Dave has broken these shafts several times right under the flange that connects the hub. In fact, I have seen him with broken rear shafts each of the last 3 years!
Anyway, they each have advantages, but right now for STRENGTH, the Polypros are currently the strongest in torque. Overall, I agree, the fullfloat is a better design. It just needs significant upgrades which are not currently available.
And for whoever said they are hard to break is wrong. Radio Dave has broken these shafts several times right under the flange that connects the hub. In fact, I have seen him with broken rear shafts each of the last 3 years!
Anyway, they each have advantages, but right now for STRENGTH, the Polypros are currently the strongest in torque. Overall, I agree, the fullfloat is a better design. It just needs significant upgrades which are not currently available.
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Mine snapped when new bearings went in. Tapered bearings, nobody told me to check the studs every 300km (twice - three times) and after 2000km they worked loose under the torque loads as the bearing seated properly and then the nuts came off and... snap. Catastrophic failure anyone?
Adding a "me too" here. My fj45 does NOT have a FF. In fact, it still has the ball and claw on the front. 
But, it doesn't wheel, so no big deal. I have had my FF on my 40 for two years of GSMTR runs and two runs at Uhwarrie. I don't see the hardest trails, but I haven't had any problems. As previously stated, putting on wheels and tires is MUCH easier with the extended hub....just like the front. My reason for swapping on the 40 was a cable locker, which is the sheot. Other than that, probably wouldn't have bothered. At least with the SF, you are likely to have friends with spares on the TLCA runs. Can't say that for the FF, so you better carry your own, or don't wheel with 38's and huge mojo right foot.
But, it doesn't wheel, so no big deal. I have had my FF on my 40 for two years of GSMTR runs and two runs at Uhwarrie. I don't see the hardest trails, but I haven't had any problems. As previously stated, putting on wheels and tires is MUCH easier with the extended hub....just like the front. My reason for swapping on the 40 was a cable locker, which is the sheot. Other than that, probably wouldn't have bothered. At least with the SF, you are likely to have friends with spares on the TLCA runs. Can't say that for the FF, so you better carry your own, or don't wheel with 38's and huge mojo right foot.
some one just needs to make some upgraded FF axle shafts, i am surprised some one doesn't already. it sounds like 9 times out of 10 the reason the hub studs shear is that they are not torqued properly or work lose. Upgraded studs and thread lock would probably go a long way in preventing this...
and not driving a FF with a locker engaged on hard ground will help...a lot..
it makes me laugh when someone says one of the reasons for a FF is to mount the tire easier...although true... if that is the case then getting back to the weight room is cheaper.
it makes me laugh when someone says one of the reasons for a FF is to mount the tire easier...although true... if that is the case then getting back to the weight room is cheaper.
Oh, that's NOT the case. The bill for my MRI to diagnose to injured disks in my lower back was WAY higher than the bill for the FF axle.....and don't even get me started on the physical therapy bill. I realize not everyone has a bad back, but I do....and since I swap tires for trails and street, it was a welcome surprise.
Rutty,
i got tired of changing tires back and forth for the trail so i ended up buying a tow rig and trailer. now no more lugging tires around with me, no more 20 min tire change at the beginning and the end of a run, no more having to be concerned about getting the rig home, as long as i can get to the trail head i can get home.
i fought this decision for 25 years and in hind sight i shoudl have invested 25 years ago.
as for a bad back, i know what you are saying, a few years back i thought (as did many that metme during the ordeal) that i would be in a wheel chair the rest of my life. an excellent doctor a cut chiro and a very cute massuage and i am back on my feet. (like i kept telling everyone," where else can yo pay $45 and have a cute young lady run her hands all over your body...legally")
my recommendation:
get a tow rig and trailer...you will wonder how you ever lived without them.
i got tired of changing tires back and forth for the trail so i ended up buying a tow rig and trailer. now no more lugging tires around with me, no more 20 min tire change at the beginning and the end of a run, no more having to be concerned about getting the rig home, as long as i can get to the trail head i can get home.
i fought this decision for 25 years and in hind sight i shoudl have invested 25 years ago.
as for a bad back, i know what you are saying, a few years back i thought (as did many that metme during the ordeal) that i would be in a wheel chair the rest of my life. an excellent doctor a cut chiro and a very cute massuage and i am back on my feet. (like i kept telling everyone," where else can yo pay $45 and have a cute young lady run her hands all over your body...legally")
my recommendation:
get a tow rig and trailer...you will wonder how you ever lived without them.
No doubt Wayne...no doubt.
I'm surprised that I am the first to mention that another reason for
going to the FF on a cruiser is so you don't have to grind the ring gear
when installing a 5.29 gearset.
Food for thought for those of us needing LOW gears...
going to the FF on a cruiser is so you don't have to grind the ring gear
when installing a 5.29 gearset.
Food for thought for those of us needing LOW gears...
I'm surprised that I am the first to mention that another reason for
going to the FF on a cruiser is so you don't have to grind the ring gear
when installing a 5.29 gearset.
Food for thought for those of us needing LOW gears...
This it's a good point ..
In the defence of SF axles .. I don't need 5.29 with low gears in the split case and toy box ..
Actually 5.29 to run 39" .. ? you are in the superior limit of the Toy axles strengh
I seem to remember a post (by David Dearborn maybe) where he recommended drilling the rear hubs on FF's to add dowels. I think Marlin does this for front hubs. With ARP studs + extra dowels, many of the FF breakage issues would be addressed? Then just the axle would need an upgrade right?
Oh yeah, I forgot about the easier to mount a tire with the FF. I still almost threw my back out putting on 42" swampers a friend's 80.
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I'm going to order a set of the arps for my ff ( guess I should not be a cheap bastard for once and order some for the front as well...)
pretty much deal with most of the disadvantages.
I think if you really got technical, the stock axle shafts on a ff are torsionally stronger as they can twist over their full length to take up shocks. where as the sf's neck down and it all gets focused on that one spot.
of course, everyone has 50 sf axles in their shed ( myself included ) and ff spare axles are hard to come by....
AND lets not forget, you can stand on the hub when trying to reach crap in the back of the truck.....
pretty much deal with most of the disadvantages.
I think if you really got technical, the stock axle shafts on a ff are torsionally stronger as they can twist over their full length to take up shocks. where as the sf's neck down and it all gets focused on that one spot.
of course, everyone has 50 sf axles in their shed ( myself included ) and ff spare axles are hard to come by....
AND lets not forget, you can stand on the hub when trying to reach crap in the back of the truck.....