RCV Axles? (1 Viewer)

[Brock]

Anybody read the article in Toyota 4wd about the RCV axles? chromoloy axles, new boot design....claimed to be equal in strength to a SAS on our IFS Land Cruisers......

They did it on the 4Runner they are going to have the shootout between solid axle 4runner and ifs 4runner.... did not see it on website yet but wondered if anyone had any experience or thoughts...



http://www.4wdtoyotaowner.com/

 

[spressomon]

Brock,

This will get you up to speed on RCV.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...mend-stock-c-v-joints-shafts-aftermarket.html

I subscribe to Toyota 4WD Owners rag and I've never read a review that wasn't super duper

IMO for two grand they better be dam perfect. The orange boots are harder durometer than the black boots they offer by request but the black (still hard durometer...not sure of the Rockwell # for either) generally seal more effectively for enthusiasts/non-racers.

However they don't always swipe the ball perfectly after a few miles in the dirt...allowing CV lube to escape. So in that event you can't just slap on a screw type clamp to address it in the field. You have to remove and completely disassemble the RCV joint replacing the boot(s). Pick your poison I guess.

For grins I sent Sean Carlini at RCV an e-mail asking him for an update on the project; after all they had 95% of the prototype work completed last year. That was Labor Day weekend...I've never heard from him...some things never change I guess.

 

[Brock]

The install and general comments in the Toyota 4WD OWners seemed to be very positive...the shootout between it and the solid axle rig will tell...

I also was interested as they said they operated a lot smoother than current cv axles... ??

 

[bamabrock]

why would someone compare IFS cv axles to a solid cv axles? IMO, that doesn't prove anything. Why not just compare the stock vs the aftermarket tensile strength of the axles on a machine?

 

[spressomon]

Not as sensational I think Gotta sell magazines

 

[Brock]

why would someone compare IFS cv axles to a solid cv axles? IMO, that doesn't prove anything. Why not just compare the stock vs the aftermarket tensile strength of the axles on a machine?

they are doing it becuase there is always a battle between the two saying one is not as good as the other in one regard.....but better in others. many high dollar race vehicles and rock buggies are now IFS but the weakness has been lack of articulation, weak CV Axles, etc......but have a better ride and such.

They are setting up two 4 Runners with one being IFS and one Solid Axle to see in he real world with all around terrain requirements...is there a real difference other than Personal Preference with equally built and high quality components.

I think it will be interesting to see what is factual and what is lore/legend.....

Plus if the weak link is the CV Axles snapping with wheel turned in high traction situation and more than avg power is applied.....not everyone can afford a $$$$$$ Slee solid axle upgrade.....so how much do you really lose in the big scheme of things by going to a RCV setup?

I think it is interesting....having owned and wheeled both solid axles (FJ60, CJ7, Wrangler, Chevy Truck) and IFS (FJC, UZJ100) extensively over the past 30 years.

 

[bamabrock]

they are doing it becuase there is always a battle between the two saying one is not as good as the other in one regard.....but better in others. many high dollar race vehicles and rock buggies are now IFS but the weakness has been lack of articulation, weak CV Axles, etc......but have a better ride and such.

They are setting up two 4 Runners with one being IFS and one Solid Axle to see in he real world with all around terrain requirements...is there a real difference other than Personal Preference with equally built and high quality components.

I think it will be interesting to see what is factual and what is lore/legend.....

Plus if the weak link is the CV Axles snapping with wheel turned in high traction situation and more than avg power is applied.....not everyone can afford a $$$$$$ Slee solid axle upgrade.....so how much do you really lose in the big scheme of things by going to a RCV setup?

I think it is interesting....having owned and wheeled both solid axles (FJ60, CJ7, Wrangler, Chevy Truck) and IFS (FJC, UZJ100) extensively over the past 30 years.

The IFS vs SA debate isn't new buy any means, so I guess I fail to see the point. The aftermarket CV comparision to a stock CV is a serparate debate and nothing is gained comparing those to a solid axle, IMO. And no offense to slee (because his work is topnotch and very slick), but $15k for a solid axle swap is way too much IMO when I could get the Offroad Connection or Bluetorch fab to swap in one ton CUCV units for significantly less. But understand, I come from an offroading background where we fourlinked one tons on CJs/YJs and ran 42"+ tires for Southern wheeling. Toyota doesn't make an axle strong enough to justify that pice IMO.

Still too many variables to such as suspension setup on the SA rig. High speed stuff is better with IFS, but the rock racing circuit guys are still using solid axle rigs with three link coilover setups. However, I subsribe to the mag and enjoy the articles.

 

[spressomon]

Comparing the prototype RCV units they sent me for test fitment prior to a production run the RCV doesn't quite articulate to the same degree the OEM CV. In essence I'd have to give up a little suspension travel to get the RCV's to work on my rig...

 

[Brock]

thats why i am interested in seeing the real world performance.....how strong they really are if the test mules are really thrashed in the big nasty stuff...

if nothing else it may prove an increase in durability without noticeable loss of performance....which for some may be the answer.

I have two brand new OE cv axles in my rig now so would not be in the market anyhow....I was just interested in knowing of any real world uses yet....and info besides what was written in the rag.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

$2000 and TOTALLY not needed! WOW!

 

[Mxndrnks]

Unfortunatly, after watching everything Spresso went through last year with these, I wont touch them. The customer service just isnt there. Crappy customer service aside, if they arent designed for long travel and as Spresso mentioned "perfect" it just doesnt make sense imho.

 

[Brock]

all valid points....

sounds like they are not where they need to be for Land Cruisers yet....compared to the excellent OEM CV Axles.

Thanks for comments all....

 

[spressomon]

The part that really is salt in the wound for me is that I lived up to my end of their offer (they contacted us!). I shipped them, at my expense, a Toyota OEM CV axle assembly. Yeah it was toast but its what they wanted/needed for prototype modeling. I was supposed to get, not free but at a discount, a pair of their CVs for testing and write-up. All I received were a pair of CVs that were not machined to the proper tolerance to allow fitment. Some deal.

So if I sound less than enthused and possibly somewhat cynical...well actually very cynical ...I have plenty of reason to be...

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

That totally sucks

 

[Brock]

sucks big time....

 

[bamabrock]

can these axles not be changed out for custom u joint axle shafts? I've had alloyusa make custom shafts for dana axles in the past and they weren't that expensive.

 

[spressomon]

Dunno. Maybe Paul's, et al, boot clamps will solve 99% of the problems associated with failing CVs on our rigs.

 

[sleeoffroad]

can these axles not be changed out for custom u joint axle shafts? I've had alloyusa make custom shafts for dana axles in the past and they weren't that expensive.

Why would you go u-joints when they are not going to run as smooth as a CV style joint. Maybe OK for a part time truck but I would not do it on a full time truck.

I don't know about the history and the politics etc behind what went on with the first gen set. We have a new set at the shop to check fitment. The boot now has a clamp and the fitment issues Dan had has been addressed. I am also not convinced about the $2k price tag and if needed on the 100 series. Other Toyota IFS applications maybe.

Also not sure if things at RCV has changed in terms of management, but it seems they are much more aggressive now in getting product out. Don't have enough experience to say about long term support.

 

[Brock]

Thanks Christo for the input....sounds like my brand new toyota cv axles are staying for another 100k.

 

[BBQ BOY]

What should the OE CV axles cost installed?