Installing 60 series axles under a sua 40. Clearance questions. (1 Viewer)

[cruiseroutfit]

Just picked up a 67' FJ40 (my first 40) and I am not liking the stock steering setup at all and since I have a ton of FJ6X parts I wanted to swap in the axles and steering box, but without going SOA. What needs to be done to deal with the extra 3" width? Is anybody running 60/62 series axles with a SUA lift? I would love to get rid of the current steering setup and use the FJ62 axles but sounds like there are too many issues to do this without going SOA?

I'll try and find some pics but we've done quite a few SUA's with 60 fronts on 40's. We generally outboard ~5/8". I originally outboarded 3/8" for the 60 axles on my FJ40, its tight at the differential (u-bolt on the inner passenger side) but workable. That extra 1/4" is much needed. Fwiw we use the Ruff-Stuff kits for the easiest fab. Fast Eddy is right, its not much more work to do the SOA other than the cut/turn.

 

[76FJ40]

Not too many issues, just the same issues. You have to cut off all the spring mounts in the front and reweld them 1.5" outboard. It can be done. It's just more work than you were thinking, and not a lot less work than going SOA. You can use the axle as it sits, but you have to cut and weld on your frame, which most people don't want to do.

You could also use the 3" axle housing exxension and longer inner axle that used to be available from someone on Mud. The extension allows you to use the 6X axle without outboarding the spring hangers. Still not easy but a better option in my opinion.

 

[martsam]

Fwiw I'm a big fan of 60 axles on 40's, particularly when you kill several birds with the same stone and get disc brakes, fine spline birfs, big knuckles and axle park brake at the same time two. While the added width is a chore to work with, its not too much extra work during a SOA conversion. The axle mounted park brake securely locks both rear tires while the t-case mounted park brake theoretically only locks one given an open diff. I've been running 60 axles on my '72 FJ40 for over 10 years now, no regrets.

Did you maintain for the 40 series tie rod end or use another model?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Did you maintain for the 40 series tie rod end or use another model?

I'm SOA so I'm using a custom length DOM tie rod tube, 80 Series ends and Marlin Hi-Steer arms.