Gotta say, the Toybox is gold for running difficult trails in a massive rig like an FJ60. Just got off the Rubicon 2 days ago with basically no body damage. Best mod ever in a wagon.
The Toyota front axle is OK. It will be easier and cheaper to fix that. I would skip the 27 spline Longs though, and get the 30 spline set up. While you are focused on the front axle, do everything right while you are there. For instance, you might consider upgrading to 6 stud knuckles too. 4x4 labs weld on 2 stud piece is inexpensive and lets you keep the stock knuckles.
No way anyone will laugh at a rusty truck. It's perfect for a trail truck as long as it keeps the rain out and your stuff in.
I hope you do make it out west next summer.
Yeah, I haven't heard anything but good things about the Toybox. That's definitely the route I am going to go.
As for the longs, I would like to go with a 30 spline set but it's got a high initial cost. Well worth it, I'm sure. As for the knuckles, I check my stud torque with every trip. I may upgrade to ARP studs so I can put more torque down but I don't want to buy a whole new hysteer setup. I'm not trying to go as cheap as possible, but at this point in time, I see it as an unnecessary expense.
I should have more than enough PTO to take time off for next summer. I'd love to line up Moab and Rubithon trips into one cross-country expedition, but because the Rubithon keeps getting pushed back into the summer, I'm not sure if that will happen. I suppose I'll have to pick which one I attend.
Thanks for the heads up. I'd like to get stronger for cheaper but I don't want to run stock inner shafts. I've read about guys breaking the shaft off in the birf and having a hell of a time getting it out.
Building up a d60 is spendy but even in stock form a d60 is going to be stronger than a built toy axle. That being said... a built toy axle is damn strong. Making a d60 fit underneath it also a pain in the ass and has a SNOWBALL effect on everything else.
I loved my toybox... one of the best upgrades I did when mine was in more "stockish" form. Go with the lower ratio gear choice if you plan on running a manual.
Rust... ehhh who cares?
You know all about the snowball effect. A before and after shot of your truck should be next to the urban dictionary definition of snowball effect
Urban Dictionary: snowball effect
Johnny, by the way...as direct organ donor recipient of moonshine, I get first crack at that rear FF if you go to D60s, right??
I'll let you know if I decide to upgrade at some point down the line. Most likely though, if I upgrade from this FF, it'll be because I blew it up so bad that I can't put it back together.
When are you coming to get my roof rack? I'm getting tired of dragging it all over Raleigh
Just kidding man, I'm sure the kid is keeping you busy. Let me know when you've got a free weekend and I'll make you some good food for driving out here.
Relax guys. Rear D60 without upgrades not worth it anyway.
I'm not running tires big enough to warrant 'tons just yet. At some point down the line, yes, but not yet. Either way, a rear D60 should be tons (look at that pun) stronger than my FF, no?
In other build thread news, I've decided that there are things on this truck that require attention before redesigning the suspension or building a new front axle, mainly because I drive Moonshine every day and these things are starting to piss me off. This includes:
- Rebuilding my t-case
- Rebuilding my carb (again) with the proper kit
- Replacing my cracked intake manifold
- Adjusting my valves
- Replacing my exhaust
- Replacing my wiring harness
- Re-installing AC (Kevin, you can say "I told you so" now;p)
- Replacing all doors, rear hatch, tailgate and patching in new metal where there are currently rust holes
The wiring harness is severely corroded, so that's getting the axe. The t-case doesn't like to hold onto fluid, so that's getting rebuilt. The idle is lopey and inconsistent with low power, so the carb is being rebuilt. The intake is cracked so that is going to be replaced. I haven't adjusted the valves since I've owned the truck, so it's probably time. The exhaust simply doesn't work because it dumps fumes into the cab, so that's going to be done by a pro.
I've been setting up my garage to do more work on Laura's BMW as well as my cruiser, so we've spent a two nights this week building a good work bench:
Laura's car is in the process of getting a new interior and suspension, so that's in the works as well:
To top it all off, work, gym and the volleyball league keep me busy until 7 or so every day of the work week. I'm going out with the ONSC club on Saturday to do some trail system work, so I'll have pictures from that and in the following week or two, I will start chipping away at that hefty list I gave myself. God damn I love this hobby
Just remember to take it easy on "Rock On"-esque trails and you should be just fine, and with a ToyBox you'll be able to walk up obstacles rather than relying on the skinny pedal.
$260
