RCV Axles: Anyone Have Experience? (1 Viewer)

[CaptBeardilocks]

I am currently rebuilding the knuckles on my front axle (95 FZJ80 locking axle). The PO of my parts rig said that someone put RCV axles in it but I have no paperwork (90 JDM RHD HDJ80 locking axles).

Stock axles have 197k miles on them. Parts rig has 193k miles but obviously the RCVs would have less.

Does anyone have any experience with the RCVs vs Stock axles? Any difference in axels RHD to LHD? In general, I go OEM on this truck as not very much needs upgraded. But I thought I'd ask.

 

[joez]

Been running RCV's for years, and probably 45k miles now. They are a softer material than stock, and unless you are running significantly larger tires and abusing them, stock will likely be a better choice. I go through mine every year to keep an eye on them.

 

[Road Apple]

I’m looking at installing RCV 300 axles front and rear, but haven’t ordered yet. Have you look at the installation guide videos yet. They might have your answer?

Install Guides

www.rcvperformance.com

 

[Road Apple]

Been running RCV's for years, and probably 45k miles now. They are a softer material than stock, and unless you are running significantly larger tires and abusing them, stock will likely be a better choice. I go through mine every year to keep an eye on them.

Surprised to hear you say that the RCV axles are softer. Are you running the 24- or 30-spline axles ?

 

[GOTLOCKED96]

Just bought a set of front and rear 300M last week. After researching on here the common consensus was that RCV is the best axle you can by.

 

[jonheld]

I have been running the CVJ2474-P-RCV since 2017 on my LX450 daily driver.

 

[wagonteeth]

RCV was the MFG'er for Bobby Long's Longfield birfs and axles. They "were" (with Bobby's) stronger for radial strength, but more susceptible to wear, so not recommended for 100% use in a full time 4wd. My 80 has Longfirled up front but is part-time converted, so suitable.

If RCV changed metallurgy since Bobby's passing, then they might be better suited to everyday driving.

 

[BILT4ME]

I'm running the RCV OEM equivalent axles on my DD. I have 85K miles on them with zero issues.

 

[baldilocks]

Rockford Constant Velocity - 4340 - 30/30/30 have been in my front axle three years now in part time configuration but according to RCV, when I spoke to them three years ago, 100k miles shouldn’t be a problem. My only regret is that I’m still running nitro one piece shafts in the rear. Once I break another one I’ll have justification to buy RCV rears.

Not sure how many are aware that nitro now offers a two piece ( truly full floating) rear shaft for the Landcruiser but it’s 32 spline and made of 4140. This brings mixed feelings because 4340 is superior but 32 splines are superior to 30 and this nitro shaft install would dictate the use of a 100/200 third which has 32 splines and a stronger ring gear design.

The nitro shafts cost more plus the extra expense of the 32 spline third makes me wonder if the 4140 shaft makes the whole thing moot.

 

[joez]

Surprised to hear you say that the RCV axles are softer. Are you running the 24- or 30-spline axles ?

30, but I'm also on 40's and wheel it hard. The extra time to disassemble, clean and repack is worth it for me, when I bought these they were not recommended for long term daily driving due to the accelerated wear.

 

[baldilocks]

30, but I'm also on 40's and wheel it hard. The extra time to disassemble, clean and repack is worth it for me, when I bought these they were not recommended for long term daily driving due to the accelerated wear.

Are yours not gun drilled with a lube fitting in the outer end for easy maintenance? Or maybe you wheel through a lot deep slop and get contamination?

 

[joez]

Are yours not gun drilled with a lube fitting in the outer end for easy maintenance? Or maybe you wheel through a lot deep slop and get contamination?

From long before that was an option. And they cannot drill it out, I asked

 

[Bludozer]

There are some "upgrades" that I don't really understand. Axle shafts is one of them. Unless your 80 does nothing but heavy wheeling, why do this over OEM?

 

[jonheld]

There are some "upgrades" that I don't really understand. Axle shafts is one of them. Unless your 80 does nothing but heavy wheeling, why do this over OEM?

After wheeling an 80 Series for 25 years, I broke a birfield in 2017. I am all about OEM parts, but I couldn't justify the cost of a single new OEM inner and outer axle that would be the same as a PAIR of brand new RCV inner and outer axles, assembled and ready to drop in.
I also really like the fact that there is a grease nipple right under the grease cap, and they get greased regularly with no muss, no fuss.

 

[CaptBeardilocks]

There are some "upgrades" that I don't really understand. Axle shafts is one of them. Unless your 80 does nothing but heavy wheeling, why do this over OEM?

In part because my axles are currently out and the parts rig (probably) has new-isn RCVs in it at no (additional) cost.

My rig is going to see a lot of all kinds of driving. I will be living out of it and continuing to travel the continent. It will see some heavy wheeling but a lot more back country forest/desert trails etc and the pavement in between. I put ~100k miles on my old Tacoma in the last 3yrs on the road like that. And beat the hell out of her in the back country. Definitely due for the upgrade to an 80.

 

[CaptBeardilocks]

The driveline going in my FZJ has the non-VC HF2A so it won’t be full time 4wd.

This is what is behind the dust cover on my parts rig. I’m assuming it’s not enough to exactly identify the axle but it does say something.

 

[Broski]

Just bought a set of front and rear 300M last week. After researching on here the common consensus was that RCV is the best axle you can by.

These installed yet. If so who drilled the rear hubs ?

 

[GOTLOCKED96]

These installed yet. If so who drilled the rear hubs ?

im going to have stellar built do the install in sac. Just waiting on the rcv front flange kit. I have everything elsefinally.

 

[I Lean]

The driveline going in my FZJ has the non-VC HF2A so it won’t be full time 4wd.

This is what is behind the dust cover on my parts rig. I’m assuming it’s not enough to exactly identify the axle but it does say something.

View attachment 2346789

I know this was a while ago....but your HF2A is a full time 4WD transfer case, unless you installed a part-time spool in place of the center differential.

 

[CaptBeardilocks]

I know this was a while ago....but your HF2A is a full time 4WD transfer case, unless you installed a part-time spool in place of the center differential.

I misspoke there. Both the HF2A and HF2AV are full time 4wd, one has the VC and one doesn't. I have both and haven't decided which to use in my build.