LC 9.5" Third/Custom Axle Housing for FJC Review

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Delancy

Delancy

10 Year
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I've too many threads on too many forums in regards to title, but none here. Considering the abundance of overall LC knowledge, hoping to establish discussion with those in the know.

A continuing effort at replacing the notoriously weak 8" third and axle housing, have researched the obvious RJ 60 and Currie LP 9" to the point of decoding on the 9", but sbechtold threads in various forums has prompted another consideration be given to a custom housing and 9.5" LC third.

I've copied the build sheet from Pirate, for overview, and trying to figure out options on sourcing, pricing, and pros/cons to this versus the aforementioned alternatives.
(Lots of info on the Currie products, none on this).

sbechtold said:
After finishing my SAC project I wheeled my FJC for a few months, jumped right into my next project. I wanted to increase the rear axle width by 3.5" and move up to a larger third that would handle the weight (5200#) of the FJC. I decided to go with a full float axle running a Land Cruiser 9.5" third with an ARB. I then called Brian Ellinger at Diamond Axle and placed an order for a new rear axle. Brian was great to work with and makes incredibly strong axles (I have one of his axles under the front already :)). I then called Jim at Inchworm Gear and ordered the Land Cruiser 9.5" third member.

Here are the rear axle specs:

  • Diamond Axle housing
  • FROR Full Float ends
  • 67.75" WMS-to-WMS
  • FJ80 LC 9.5" third member
  • 4.88 gears
  • ARB air locker
  • Solid pinion spacer
  • Quad drilled flange
  • Toyota IFS Hubs
  • Longfield drive flanges
  • Custom length 30 spline chromoly axle shafts
  • Reused my FJ Cruiser stock brake setup (rotors, calipers and emergency brake setup :smokin: )

I am re-using my FJ Cruiser backing plates, emergency brake setup, calipers and rotors. Brian was able to design and build an adapter that allowed the FJ Cruiser stock brake system to bolt right up to the housing.
Click to expand...

Input from the masses, please.
 
I think that if you're going to go through the time, money and effort to replace the rear axle, I think that you should install a significant upgrade. I don't feel that the Land Cruiser 9.5" differential is significant enough to warrant the change (you'd still have 30 spline axles).

Personally, I like the ford 9" differential setup. 3 pinion support bearings, TONS of axle options (28, 31, 35, 40 splines). Detroit lockers, ARB Air locker, Hi-pinion, etc etc. The ring gear cross section is actually wider than the dana 60's and you get better clearance.
 
The 9" had been the front runner amongst the numerous discussions, yet never posed as a side by side to an LC third based replacement. The rationale of the 9 makes sense, as compared to the RJ, and I like the drop out 3rd, but it's been priced at $4.5k with ARB, retainment of the ABS/VSC sensors (which sbechtold addressed, as well), and OEM link/shock mounts from Currie. (I'm not prepared to do a 3-4 link rear yet, but would like to address the axle before).

I'd all but forgone any other options, but read through several of sbechtold's threads and was curious to viability and pricing, and if more economical, which I've not clue if it is, the cons.

Thanks for providing input, nonetheless.
 
Sorry, but I'm confused.

Are you replacing the rear or doing a solid axle conversion for the front or both.

I guess it doesn't really matter on the grand scheme of things, just curious as to your goal and/or intended use. Frankly, the "weak" stock diff is more than capable for the greatest of the masses, even those who wheel "hard". But, if one has the income and cash, might as well spend it somewhere.

I think that Sol has shown that his set up is very competent, reliable and works very well in high demand situations. I've had a few discussions with Sol regarding his choices and they made a great deal of sense to me and a direction I would have considered if I were to be doing a SAC on my FJC. Then, you have Amanda (MissFJ in the "blue room") who is running the stock rear end and doing fine.

One consideration I had, being in a state the requires "no idiot lights" during annual inspections is the compatibility of ABS sensors and such, which put the Dana 60 off my choices since there are no "easy" fixes for that. With the way Sol went, it was/is a possibility, he simply chose not to do it.

Just my 2 cents, others will chime in I'm sure...
 
At this point, addressing the rear axle on current FJC, only. Not sure whose on here, there, or anywhere, but if/when an SAC is done, it'll be on a different FJC, not the current discussed, for clarification.

The rear axle swap is a preliminary for a future linkage change, widening the rear to correspond with the front width, and prudently eliminating a potential diff failure or axle deformation.
 
I agree with Jerry, you need to figure out what you plan to do with your current FJC and decide on your budget. The rest will fall into place once you have those guiding principles down. My choice was predicated on the stock housing bending like a taco and needing to be replaced. I did not care about retaining the electronics and working with Brian to make the axle was a bonus. I've wheeled my FJC pretty hard over the last 4 years and it's held up so I'm satisfied.
 
sbechtold said:
I agree with Jerry, you need to figure out what you plan to do with your current FJC and decide on your budget. The rest will fall into place once you have those guiding principles down. My choice was predicated on the stock housing bending like a taco and needing to be replaced. I did not care about retaining the electronics and working with Brian to make the axle was a bonus. I've wheeled my FJC pretty hard over the last 4 years and it's held up so I'm satisfied.
Click to expand...

The rear axle swap was eliminating a possible failure point, increasing the rear track width, and coinciding with a re gear/front locker on current.

The original plan was the Currie LP 9" with OEM linkages maintained, as well the ABS/VSC functions, and it appears that makes the most sense for this application.

In the preliminary stages of thinking through a future SAC on another FJC, and for that application, researching the viability of the axles as you'd previously spec'd elsewhere, and I've seen on build thread.

I hope multiple topics won't dissuade participation, but for purposes of this quoted post, and considering that the discussion has moved to SAC axle options, would you do yours the same again?
 
Sounds like the Currie does make sense for an easy replacement that maintains the electronics and gets you more strength that you'll need. In terms of whether or not I would do it again. I wouldn't build an FJC next time. ;) In terms of the axles, I would probably go with 60's if I were to do it again - purely based on the weight of the FJC. However, I am satisfied with my choices and have not been disappointed in any way with them.
 
sbechtold said:
I wouldn't build an FJC next time. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm with Sol on this and why mine is in the Dominican Republic with a new owner.

Don't get me wrong, I loved mine, have moments of regret that I don't have it any longer and loved the amazing trails, adventures and trips I made with my wife and daughters in it. We did the Rubicon, Moab 3 times and many other "heavy" trails along the way, never having a broken CV axle or rear R&P gears. I did eventually have a breakage during a beach trip, having to merge into traffic, unlocked, merging from the sand into traffic, spinning the passenger wheel then hitting the pavement, grabbing a BIG handful of traction. These were NOT stock gears but 4.88 Nitro gears, just for the record. So, driver error with 35's is what caused my failure.

Its why I asked the question on what your end goal is. Its my opinion that the funds you'd spend swapping the rear end could go a long with in other upgrades that will make it a much more competent off-roader. That the pluses of the RJ Dana 60 won't take you any further up the trail or allow you to take on trails that you couldn't do with a stock rear-end.

Just my 2 cents...
 
Hilariously enough, there is a thread elsewhere right now covering a similar topic to Sol & Jerry's points "What would you do different"...40% of the thread are buggies or heavily modified rigs saying they would have kept theirs more streetable/functional...40% are those with streetable vehicles saying they would have avoided having to deal with stock body sheetmetal all together and started building a buggy instead...other 20% simply don't even address the question and simply say "man up, its an expensive hobby, and half the value is the learnings you get from it", or otherwise imo, you really didn't answer the question and probably fall into one of the other two 40% catagories making it a 50/50 split haha.

Guess the grass is always greener elsewhere.

This coming from a guy looking to buy a tow rig and trailer to avoid the hassel of having to deal with more unique parts breaking/stranding you on the trail. Only to find that half the people in that thread note they would have foregone the whole trailer apect and just kept it as a rig you could drive to the trail and then back home.
 
The rationale for a thread here from the onset, was determining the viability for the LC third, as well compiling information to price. Considering the plethora of knowledge in the functional aspects of all things LC not vehicle specific, figured why not.

Since, and in conjunction with other threads, I've kind of deemed this a "because I want to" project and I'm smart enough to realize that's rarely a sound basis for much of anything.

The expense rationale floors me, considering the investment made already.
(don't say "I told you so, Brian. I'll offer that you did" haha)

Not expressing buyers remorse, but after a certain amount of time discussing this aspect, I get the feeling that the "because I want to" purchase, then the "because I want to" additional components have about as much sense as the "because I want to" front axle.

So now, I've invested a considerable amount of time and money into a vehicle that originally didn't have a predetermined purpose, per say, and realizing the limitations after a more purposeful intention has been determined, prompts looking for a different vehicle altogether.

Hahahahaha.

C'est la vie, I guess.

I wanted a 40, so I bought an FJC for lack of finding a decent 40. (pre-forum), then decided how I wanted to build it.

Should've been the other way around, I realize in retrospect.
 
Don't get me wrong. I dumped plenty of $$$ into mine, couldn't have spent anything more but for what FJNewb is doing or what Sol did. I had plenty of "just because" mods on it, no criticism for that.

And, I loved that I could drive it from NC to CA, do the Rubicon, drive to Moab, hit those trails, drive through Ouray and get home in one piece. Few vehicles can make that claim.

I'd still have mine but for our last trip to Moab/Ouray this past summer. The wife and I looked at each other and knew there was no way we'd ever get our daughters in the back seat again for such a trip, now that they are college age. Hell, our dog barely fit in the back seat. It came down to going all-in with a full SAC like Sol did or re-evaluate our needs.

So, the FJC went on the market and the '97 FZJ80 is the "expedition" vehicle, taking the place of the FJC. At least in the 80, both kids fit comfortably in the back seat, the dogs can fit in the 3rd row space, it tows the Exped trailer just fine and is more than capable off-road.

I guess one could say that the FJC was a "gateway" vehicle but I'm such an old fart that I've been through a '77 CJ5 and a '49 CJ2a but, there is no doubt that the FJC (my first Toyota) enlightened me on Landcruisers in general and created an addiction such that I'm "resto-modding" a '77 FJ45 right now to give me my hard-core fix. Our 80 is still being used by my youngest daughter as her primary vehicle until she heads off to college next fall, then I get it back and will start the modding process on it.

The addiction continues...:beer:
 
Mtbcoach said:
The addiction continues...:beer:
Click to expand...

You and I have similar stories, although mine is all Toyota. Started with an 82 mini truck followed by an 89 then a 4runner then a 40 and then into the FJC. Along the way selling my 40 and regretting that I ever did. Now back into a 40 that the kids will abuse until they are off to college and then I get it back. Undoubtedly the FJC will eventually go and the 40 will become the vehicle of choice for the trails. I will start stockpiling parts until that day. We have a 100 series as the family wagon and when my wife is tired of it that will become the expedition wagon for the wife, boys and the dog.

BTW, I'm guessing Ruby (I think I go her name right?) is all grown up by now... ;)

 
Rubi is doing great and reached her full maturity now, weighing in right at 100lbs. She has a new buddy at home. After we lost our 14 yr old Chessy, Shoogy, we were lucky to have a friend offer us their pick of the litter (being the owner of the breeding female). He is a Bernese Mountain Dog, Diesel, just a great pup.

file-15.jpg

file-27.jpg

file-12.jpg


Sorry for the hijack, back to the subject at hand...
 
Mtbcoach said:
Rubi is doing great and reached her full maturity now, weighing in right at 100lbs. She has a new buddy at home. After we lost our 14 yr old Chessy, Shoogy, we were lucky to have a friend offer us their pick of the litter (being the owner of the breeding female). He is a Bernese Mountain Dog, Diesel, just a great pup.

Sorry for the hijack, back to the subject at hand...
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Absolutely stunning Jerry.
 
And the subject was? Haha.

I'm not, yet, to the point of abandoning the current "build", but thinking Currie will be the route I go, when I get there sometime this spring. I'd intended on maintaining the OEM linkages, so will probably maintain that, finish all the rest of the pre-planned components, since keeping this vehicle for the duration.

I think in light of all the rhetoric, an 80 offers more for the short term "needs" (my kids hate the back seat of the FJC, and my wife's GX460 will never see a gravel road, she thinks) of a more comfortable, capable alternative that suits travel better.

But I'd still like to build a solid axle FJC, just wait until they become much more economical and I've more time, funds, and energy to invest in.
 
toyota 9.5

I like the idea. The 9.5" LC rear IS a significant upgrade. You could do it pretty easily. This is how I would do it:
-Diamond housing utilizing stock FJC brackets housing ends etc, esentially a regular FJC rear but with 9.5 center
-Complete 3rd member from JTs Parts & Accessories, Justdifferentials.com with nitro gears, solid spacer and an ARB or TJM Locker
-New Nitro Chromoly FJ Cruiser Shafts (being released next week!)
-bolt it in and go!

Could also save some money and run stock shafts too if you need, but the 9.5" with chromoly axles would be sweet.

Not only would it be reasonable cost wise, it would keep it very Toyota and almost OE like. Actually this is just how they should come from the factory. At least for 2010+ toyota upgraded the rear axle, but not by a long shot. Too bad they didnt just use the 9.5. Oh well, another new application we already have gears for too.
 
justdifferentials said:
I like the idea. The 9.5" LC rear IS a significant upgrade. You could do it pretty easily. This is how I would do it:
-Diamond housing utilizing stock FJC brackets housing ends etc, esentially a regular FJC rear but with 9.5 center
-Complete 3rd member from JTs Parts & Accessories, Justdifferentials.com with nitro gears, solid spacer and an ARB or TJM Locker
-New Nitro Chromoly FJ Cruiser Shafts (being released next week!)
-bolt it in and go!

Could also save some money and run stock shafts too if you need, but the 9.5" with chromoly axles would be sweet.

Not only would it be reasonable cost wise, it would keep it very Toyota and almost OE like. Actually this is just how they should come from the factory. At least for 2010+ toyota upgraded the rear axle, but not by a long shot. Too bad they didnt just use the 9.5. Oh well, another new application we already have gears for too.
Click to expand...

Will the chromoly axles be available wider than OEM?

Would this be a possibility as a single source component from y'all?
 
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