RCVs or CVs for +2" Axle

[Delancy]

hoping the previous participants to the debate still participate here.

If I had any doubt, it's been alleviated.

Questions for whomever.

Are the RCVs worth the money, in the form of long term longevity?

Does the addition of RCVs push the failure point to the front differential?

I'm ass deep in the other build, financially speaking (not actual work, which is scary) but if this route would suffice without necessitating a front differential swap, and if I could maintain without a crawlbox (don't brow beat the statement. Y'all know what I mean) for a year, then I'll swap what I've got for Ryan's, hunt some used axles and swap the CVs for the "aw crap" moments between now and when the RCVs would become available.

 

[Delancy]

 

[FJNewb]

Guess I'll have to call as that is different than what was communicated to me and what I paid last month.

 

[Hornsfan]

Does the addition of RCVs push the failure point to the front differential?

Yes; however, I have not heard of that many people blowing the front diff (even with lockers); that said, all those who blew CVs may have blown their diff had they had RCVs. I remember hearing of one guy trying to go in reverse up a trail blowing up the front diff.

 

[BMThiker]

I remember hearing of one guy trying to go in reverse up a trail blowing up the front diff.

Doh!

The only time I messed mine up was after the first rear ring gear blew (June 2007). I had to drive it home in front wheel drive after removing the rear and the front diff was pretty unhappy about that. Dealer covered both rear and front diffs (I think they were mostly in awe that we were able to extract the rear and get it drivable again).

 

[Delancy]

Going to email RCVS today to see if it's necessary to provide the compressed/extended. If so, may call Bohannon and ask him to order, IF the similarity betweenibe and Ryan's is close enough.

I don't know why it'd be any different than extending the OEM length by 2", but I don't claim to know anything, anyway.

Have two spares within driving distance available, but still weighing the RCV's as a long term option. So far, only know three who've ran, one with issues, the other two haven't ran for long. Hard to determine viability based on limited users.

 

[Hornsfan]

Going to email RCVS today to see if it's necessary to provide the compressed/extended. If so, may call Bohannon and ask him to order, IF the similarity betweenibe and Ryan's is close enough.

I don't know why it'd be any different than extending the OEM length by 2", but I don't claim to know anything, anyway.

Have two spares within driving distance available, but still weighing the RCV's as a long term option. So far, only know three who've ran, one with issues, the other two haven't ran for long. Hard to determine viability based on limited users.

I think FJHermit has run them for a while with no issues. He is rarely on the boards though (lime colored FJ).

 

[FJNewb]

You may want to make sure everyone is comparing apples to apples. From what I recall when I initially saw them advertised the original offering from RCV that hermin and Jerry had both retained OEM outer joints, just with different race and cage materials.

Jerry can you clarify? Did yours have an OEM outer joint or did it have a d60 bell?

 

[FJNewb]

Going to email RCVS today to see if it's necessary to provide the compressed/extended. If so, may call Bohannon and ask him to order, IF the similarity betweenibe and Ryan's is close enough.

I don't know why it'd be any different than extending the OEM length by 2", but I don't claim to know anything, anyway.

Have two spares within driving distance available, but still weighing the RCV's as a long term option. So far, only know three who've ran, one with issues, the other two haven't ran for long. Hard to determine viability based on limited users.

Its not the same length as the OEM axles since it runs a stub and different width inner and outer joints. They should have the correct measurments on file though as I know they started doing TC 2" kits back in 09.

 

[Mtbcoach]

You may want to make sure everyone is comparing apples to apples. From what I recall when I initially saw them advertised the original offering from RCV that hermin and Jerry had both retained OEM outer joints, just with different race and cage materials.

Jerry can you clarify? Did yours have an OEM outer joint or did it have a d60 bell?

Mine retained the OEM outers, the D60 bell would surely be a nice upgrade for the FJC IMHO...

 

[Hornsfan]

Mine retained the OEM outers, the D60 bell would surely be a nice upgrade for the FJC IMHO...

Interesting. The new outer was a big selling point to me.

 

[BMThiker]

I thought I read when RCV first hit the FJC market that all they retained was the "star" from the outer cores sent in. And everything else was an upgrade. I have no first hand experience, but I do remember researching it a bit when I first heard about them.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I thought I read when RCV first hit the FJC market that all they retained was the "star" from the outer cores sent in. And everything else was an upgrade. I have no first hand experience, but I do remember researching it a bit when I first heard about them.

My feable memory recalls that they required a "working" CV assembly to upgrade/scavange parts from. I thought it was CrMo up to the outer (including the "star"), OEM from their out. Yet, I also could be wrong.

I sent them 2 brand new OEM CV axles, got back their set, bolted up and away I went. As tempting as it was, I didn't tear them apart and look at the parts...

 

[Delancy]

I still find it hard to believe there's no options for split assemblies, considering the amount of GXs, Tacos, and 100s that have been on the road for so many years.

The pertinent info, being expense, is as follows:

A completed 2" axle assembly with used joints that criteria for reuse us unknown is $620 each.

A complete OEM assembly is $860 each.

A complete RCV is $1k each.

Granted both of the local options are considerably less, but both used and one in need of boots, so all is not lost for the immediate repair, BUT based on the cost of of each assembly, IF the RCV option is capable of extending the lifespan by 40%, it's a no brainer.

IF they're the last axle to ever buy, seems the most logical option available, and I'd be buying stock in the company.

BUT there's very little long term information on the Toyota platform, that I can find anywhere.

 

[Delancy]

My feable memory recalls that they required a "working" CV assembly to upgrade/scavange parts from. I thought it was CrMo up to the outer (including the "star"), OEM from their out. Yet, I also could be wrong.

I sent them 2 brand new OEM CV axles, got back their set, bolted up and away I went. As tempting as it was, I didn't tear them apart and look at the parts...

How many axles have broken?

To me, this doesn't offer enough of a solution to justify, considering the CV failure rate, plus the expense would be astronomical if new OEM are necessary, adding the cost to the RCVs.

The woes of LT. I do enjoy the benefit of width (I didn't say travel) but, no doubt, higher maintenance.

 

[BMThiker]

The pertinent info, being expense, is as follows:

A completed 2" axle assembly with used joints that criteria for reuse us unknown is $620 each.

A complete OEM assembly is $860 each.

A complete RCV is $1k each.

Does that mean a longer axle shaft is assembled with the OEM outers/inners? How much is the shaft?

Toyota/OEM full axle assemblies should be around $300 in stock form. I paid $340 5 yrs ago, and a bit less just recently through Lowe Toyota. Is it really $560 for the LT shaft only?!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vendor-mar...ts-great-prices-free-shipping-most-items.html

 

[BMThiker]

How many axles have broken?

To me, this doesn't offer enough of a solution to justify, considering the CV failure rate, plus the expense would be astronomical if new OEM are necessary, adding the cost to the RCVs.

The woes of LT. I do enjoy the benefit of width (I didn't say travel) but, no doubt, higher maintenance.

I think the current RCV pricing scheme includes all parts needed. In other words, they don't have core charges and don't require you to send them new OEM assemblies. When they first started out, they required that you send them cores to rebuild from. At the time they even had two price points IIRC, one was with core charge/swap, and one was if you sent them nothing (obviously more $$$). Now, I think they have manufacturing much more streamlined and can offer a true off the shelf solution.

 

[Delancy]

Does that mean a longer axle shaft is assembled with the OEM outers/inners? How much is the shaft?

Toyota/OEM full axle assemblies should be around $300 in stock form. I paid $340 5 yrs ago, and a bit less just recently through Lowe Toyota. Is it really $560 for the LT shaft only?!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vendor-marketplace/526118-toyota-genuine-parts-great-prices-free-shipping-most-items.html

I made a mistake.....I think, and requesting clarification.

I believe $860 covers two completed OEM assemblies, shipped.

 

[Delancy]

Most recent reply from RCV.






I wonder if bulletproof still applies to a locked front differential?

If that were the case, then the extra cost may be prudent.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I wonder if bulletproof still applies to a locked front differential?

If that were the case, then the extra cost may be prudent.

Thats why I pulled the trigger on them...