RCV Axles anyone?????

[Nottajeep]

sounds like the smart play is putting money into a front locker and a winch

 

[MTKID]

I'd need to know the dims you want and I can ask. Have you looked at what that does to the UCA/LCAs and steering rod lengths and geometries?

No, this request would be for a solution with all of the above extended. Long-term goals

 

[512LX]

Lots of 100s are running rocks. Is it the ideal vehicle... no... but there are lots that do it.

The boot has nothing to do with strength of the axle, but potentially less overall maintenance in the long run if the CV angles are too acute. Otherwise a stock Toyota boot, properly installed will last even cranked up with a diff drop.

I can't see any reputable company making anything less than a CrMo upgrade axle for a more intense use.

I don't care if the rig is stock or heavily modified. The comment is a general statement that goes hand in hand with offroading and advice we've all heard and said for years. The driver is the cause of the damage more times than not, whether in the rocks, mud hole, fallen trees or a plethora of other instances. They get themselves into a bind and try and hammer through and break parts. So choosing a proper line and using a knowledgeable spotter is a majority of the battle. I've seen stock 100s follow solid axle rigs on trails and they never had problems.

How many axles have you snapped and what were you doing when they snapped? Must have been at least one to even start this thread to begin with.

Nothing lasts forever, but common sense gives things a fighting chance.

The boot is part of the CV system, any upgrade there would be an improvement to the system, Yes that makes it stronger. Not to mention an improvement to the joint which is probably the most common place a failure happens. so again upgrading the 2 parts of the CV with something like RCV is doing is an improvement in strength.

obviously there is no options out there, that is the whole point of the thread.

Added weight and bigger tires has a major impact on the stress of you CV, and yes 33's are bigger. I think you are missing the point, If you want the added work to maintain the stack CV " WHICH OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO UPGRADE YOUR CV"
for an offroad vehicle thank keep your stock CV. Some people im sure would like to have something a little stronger and more reliable than stock.

Im a big fan of TOYOTA OEM but when I see a week point I try to find a better solution.

and again I will tell you, no one needs a driving lesson from you, Like you said " advice we've all heard and said for years"

 

[Skidoo]

Jason's pick a better line is the low cost option. I have 205K on original CVs. Even after breaking 7 teeth off ring gear 40K ago, no issues with front axles.
I run 295s so 33.5 tires. Video of force it took to break my gear, 4 major bounces.
Stock front 4 pinion diff, how strong -> video
Stock ones are pretty strong to stand up to that kind of shock load.
But if you want to run 35s and/or abuse them by getting on the skinny petal with steering turned towards the locks, you have to pay the BIG bucks, no free lunch.
My dream is someone figures out how to put Total Chaos long travel setup for 4Runner on our Cruisers. That would not only get CrMo but they come 2 or 3.5 inches longer than stock. Folks have done SAS conversions for 100s, and its really pricey, so expect converting to 4Runner front is in same ballpark.
Think folks have put the 4Runner kits on Lexus GXs, but think it is a bolt on in that case.

 

[512LX]

Well it sounds like RCV dos not even recommend there IFS axle. Sounds like they have issues with keeping the joint greased.

 

[dubyahard]

Sounds like our best option is a @TRAIL TAILOR SAS conversion "kit"...

 

[od4x4]

@512LX It seems like you have this figured out so maybe you should source and provide a kit? I am sure that there is a demand for this, but it just may not be great enough for a company like Trail Tailor to lock up their resouces in.

I think that Jason is being very reasonable in his interpretation of the feasibility of producing these axles. Is it a weak link? Of course.... but once you upgrade the axles then the weak link will move somewhere else. Front diff seems likely. A stronger axle will certainly reduce the chances of failure... but unless I am missing something this does not seem to be something that is occurring in large numbers. In fact, just the opposit. With a little careful driving and thoughtful planning the stock systems work quite well and possibly even better than other stock systems that MUST be upgraded in order to function with even mild suspension upgrades and tire/wheel packages.

And I don’t want to speak for Jason, but sometimes a one-off design is done just because you can. What cooler way to promote your fabrication business than to showcase your skills? But that does not mean that that all or any of those products will have commercial success.

Not trying to stir anything up here... I think that there are two valid arguments being made here but this is ‘Merica and we don’t alway have to agree.

 

[MTKID]

Well it sounds like RCV dos not even recommend there IFS axle. Sounds like they have issues with keeping the joint greased.

Can you share where you found that info?

 

[512LX]

From RCV.

I've been emailing them about options. It's not a total wash but they say they are boot does require regular maintenance . I guess added strength and some extra maintenance is not too bad of a deal .

Oh yes and Merica

 

[hoser]

Maybe I'm crazy but wouldn't this solve so many problems for us.
If you agree let's try and get RCV to make an axial kit for our 100s.
Front and rear obviously

Curious why the rear? I haven't heard of anybody (except maybe the Blueberry) breaking rear axle shafts.

 

[512LX]

No offense taken on my ends at all,
I was just to get a conversation started to see if anyone had useful input or other ideas not yet thought of.

Also a good opportunity to see if there is a market for something like this . Always a good idea to approach a manufacturer with some sort of research done to justify a new product.

What it sounds like to me is a new boot design and joint design with normal steel construction would yield a stronger product than stock . Event making a longer travel version would be a game changer for he 100.

Not sure why driving characteristics or anything like that was needed to be added to the conversation that's all I'm saying. Just sounds like someone was just trying to make noise without give anything constructive to the conversation .

RCV is wanting to know if there is any other vehicle that uses the same OEM CV that our 100s do .

 

[512LX]

Curious why the rear? I haven't heard of anybody (except maybe the Blueberry) breaking rear axle shafts.

Good point on the rear of the vehicle. I have not heard of anything happening to them either .

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Seems like you're chasing an issue that 1) isn't an issue and b) "just because". The number of broken CV's the have been reported on here is likely single digits. Now, the boots, yes, those are problematic. Think your time seeking improvements would be better spent there, look at the companies that are making Kevlar reinforced boot covers.

And multi-quote and edit are awesome.

 

[MTKID]

I just wanted to share...

Brand new pics of our Gen II Front RCV Ultimate IFS Axle Set. We'll be the first 4th Gen 4Runner to run RCV's Gen II axles. The Gen II set has a ton of enhancements over Gen I.

They are massive and rated for 40's with a Lifetime Warranty. RCV was the only choice for our KOH build and we were really excited when they agreed to allow us to run the first production set of Gen II shafts on our 4602 KOH bound IFS 4Runner.

These fit our 4th Gen 4Runner, but also fit Toyota FJ Cruiser ('07-'14), 4th and 5th Gen 4Runners ('03-Present) & Tacoma ('05-Present).

Thank you RCV!

 

[MTKID]

and...

A number of folks have asked for Gen I and Gen II specs for the RCVs, so I wanted to pass the information below along from RCV's lead engineers.

As noted above, we're running the first set of not-yet-released Gen IIs at KOH:

Gen I Toyota axles had the following attributes:
Spherical Dana 60 sized outer CV joint (grease maintenance required)
Spherical outer CV boot
30 spline Porsche 930 inner CV joint capable of 28 degrees of angle (Dana 44 sized)
Dana 44 sized 30 spline to Dana 60 sized 35 spline 4340 center shaft

Gen II Toyota axles have the following attributes:
Dana 60 sized outer CV joint (no maintenance required)
Traditional CV boots on both ends
Dana 60 sized inner double offset CV joint capable of 30 degrees of angle
Dana 60 sized 35 spline to Dana 60 sized 35 spline 300M center shaft

 

[Nottajeep]

Seems like you're chasing an issue that 1) isn't an issue and b) "just because". The number of broken CV's the have been reported on here is likely single digits. Now, the boots, yes, those are problematic. Think your time seeking improvements would be better spent there, look at the companies that are making Kevlar reinforced boot covers.

And multi-quote and edit are awesome.

and still doesn't fix a weak front diff which is the fusible link on these trucks

 

[MTKID]

and still doesn't fix a weak front diff which is the fusible link on these trucks

Has anyone broken a locked and re-geared diff?

 

[Nottajeep]

Has anyone broken a locked and re-geared diff?

a locked front is hard to break, not sure gearing has anything to do with changing the dynamics

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

a locked front is hard to break, not sure gearing has anything to do with changing the dynamics

Correct.

@MTKID

Lock it and get rid of your 2 pinion weak link on the 98. I emailed my guy to see what a cost would be for extended shafts.

J

 

[Skidoo]

Has anyone broken a locked and re-geared diff?

Yes. @paflytyer broke his. Of course it was a perfect storm, reverse while locked. A very ugly spot on Rose Garden Hill without many options.