Has anyone installed 80 series axles on a 40? (1 Viewer)

[torfab]

Has anyone installed 80 series axles on a 40? I'm curious how it feels when the width gets increased. My 40 axles with 35's and wagon wheels measure 67" wide, and if I install 80 series axles with stock 80 wheels it will be 73" wide.

I'd like to perform the mod to become a little wider rather than wheel spacers, and this could be an opportunity to take advantage of the radius arm suspension I have sitting in my garage attached to the 80 axle.

Feedback folks?

I know it will be wider, I know it won't be easy (and I'm not looking for easy I'm looking for COOL), and I want to be a little wider, little taller, and a little stouter with full floaters front and read plus bigger tie rod ends, etc.

 

[Gumby]

I have an 80 rear on my 55. I had an 80 front suspension on my 40 but with 40 axles.

I can't say I noticed the width difference when I changed so much else at the same time. A couple of inches width when you go from leaf to 4 link coil sprung is hard to discern.

The radius arms were cool, but the springs hit the tires when it flexed. It needed coil overs.

 

[LT]

I have a 80 series rear axle under my 40 and I like it. Nice having some extra width along with the full floating rear end and disc brakes. The worst part is trying to cut all that crap off the axle housing and getting it cleaned.

 

[torfab]

So, you both put 80 rears on your rigs, but not the front... did you use dana 60's in the front to have the same width?

 

[LT]

I am still running a FJ40 axle up front with 1.5" spacers and 3" BS wheels. Haven't decided what I am going to do with the front end yet. Either full on d60 or a diamond housing with a toyota 9" and 60 outers.

 

[Gumby]

55 axle with 1.5 inch spacers makes it about 2 inches narrower than the rear. It fits on the trailer better in the front than it does on the rear. I see no reason to change it.

 

[torfab]

My front axle currently has longfield birfs/inners/outers, and I have lockers front and rear. I'd be interested in the width, but if I can use the rear axle from an 80, then the front axle on a 40 it seems like the best way to go.

I'm also planning on stretching my wheelbase to the magic 100", and I don't want to go spring over with shackle reversal because I don't like the prospect of going tits up down a steep decline.

The main reason I would consider the 80 front axle, is because it's wide enough to use all the suspension mounts including the panhard bar (not to mention they're already attached to the axle

If I chose a 40 axle up front, I would have problems fitting the spring buckets, because it would rub when flexed.

oh and LT - those tube fenders and stinger are working great - no more worries of rubbing up against trees, I can use them to my advantage now

 

[LT]

Glad to hear that

Why keep using the stock 80 series suspension components? Cut all that crap off and build a suspension that will work best for your 40 and not for a 6500lbs pig of a vehicle. Plus you really limit the amount of travel you have with the 80 series suspension vs building your own.

My 40 is at 106" of wheel base with 37" Iroks looking to upgrade to 39.5" Iroks.

 

[concretejungle]

how cool would it be to retrofit the 80 axles into a 40 along with the oem lockers and the dial switch on the dash!!

 

[torfab]

I'm planning on using the radius arms up front, and possibly flipped 60 series springs sprung over in the rear. The coils I may keep, but most likely not - then get coilovers or TJ coils.

 

[torfab]

how cool would it be to retrofit the 80 axles into a 40 along with the oem lockers and the dial switch on the dash!!

Ya Baby, that's the idea!

 

[concretejungle]

with the number of 80's out there that you can find for cheap, or finding them in the junk yard, i wouldn't think this would be an impossible feat. Just dont forget you need the little computer in the kick panel to make them work correctly. Or, just screw the dial all together and climb under the rig with a 9volt battery and a paper clip and you can manually lock and unlock them.

 

[torfab]

with the number of 80's out there that you can find for cheap, or finding them in the junk yard, i wouldn't think this would be an impossible feat. Just dont forget you need the little computer in the kick panel to make them work correctly. Or, just screw the dial all together and climb under the rig with a 9volt battery and a paper clip and you can manually lock and unlock them.

I've replicated the e-locker ecm a few times with installs. It's not that difficult, but it is time consuming to get all the relays hooked up right. The switch is hard to come by, so other buttons are used.

 

[LT]

I opted for an ARB on mine. More reliable and much stronger than the factory e-locker.

 

[Poser]

Well that was quick...





What pushed you over the edge in deciding not to go with the 80 series axles?

 

[torfab]

Well that was quick...





What pushed you over the edge in deciding not to go with the 80 series axles?

Nice catch Here's one more "twist"

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-t...69-fj40-v8-tbi-chromoly-35s-wheeling-rig.html

This week I picked up a wrecked 80 series from a cruiserhead locally, and I've decided to unload the 40 and build the 80 instead. I'll miss the 40, but need more room for my wife, 2 kids, and dog. The 40 has been good to me, and I've had a great time working on it.

 

[sgirt]

I have 80 axles front and rear on my Fj40. It was a horrible pain cutting all the brackets off. Would like above the spring cross over rather than below the spring. It is a little tight. The extra width is nice.

 

[torfab]

So, the 40 is sold as of today, and now I'm going to start working on my new 80 wheeler. I tried to turn the 40 into something it's not, and the 80 will serve my family and I the best.

 

[zcruz]

What a sad day! trading a 40 for an 80! All well, I hope I never get there. For anyone wondering about the axles still, I used an 80 rear and a 62 front. Then added the 3" sleeve on the passenger side and custom inner shaft for the 62. About $200 dollars for the parts from Lcwizard. then used 1.5" wheel spacers on top of that. the front is a tad wider but you'll never see it.

 

[rideglobally]

80 rear axel on a 40 series

this is all great information thanks, this is what i would like to do on my hj47, put an 80 series axel on the rear to widen the track. does anyone know a place in southern california or near, that can do this job, i am not comfortable performing this job myself, i can cut all the bracket out and clean up the axel myself.

by the way i was told that the off set on the 80 series is too much for the 40 series, thanks.....