Rebuild or replace?

[White Stripe]

Will a newer 3Rd member fit in the old centered housing? It looks like it. If so u could possibly use 2 short side fj80 axle shafts. Would need to weld on new ends to accept fj80 backing plates. Or just weld on Fzj80 ends with the spindles and use 2 short Fzj80 shafts and you will have a 55" wide centered full floater with discs. Then just use a stock disc brake front 40 axle.

 

[Dizzy]

What is the ratio of the rear diff? 3.36?

 

[Bubbajones69]

Since the existing 3rds are 9.5” - would mini truck thirds and axles fit in my existing housing?

 

[Bubbajones69]

What is the ratio of the rear diff? 3.36?

I will need to check - I haven’t counted them up yet. Will post when I get home

 

[pjohnson]

You would want to replace the gears to get a new fine spline pinion on both ends.

 

[pb4ugo]

Since the existing 3rds are 9.5” - would mini truck thirds and axles fit in my existing housing?

The pre 85 mini truck 3rd is smaller, and probably won't fit. I know the ring gear is much smaller. The mini truck 85 and earlier rear ends are the same width as a 40. The axle splines on each are the the same. You might look at installing a 40 3rd in your housing and using mini truck axles. I'm not sure if that will work. Others might know. I do know the ends of the 40 axle housing would have to be altered to accommodate the mini truck outer bearings. That's why I mentioned the mini-40 hybrid centered rearend. You essentially cut the ends off a later offset 40 rear end and slide the mini truck axle tubes inside the 40 housing and weld up to the proper width. Then use the mini truck axles.

 

[shelfboy1]

no one seems to use them but trooper and acura 1996 or so have a centered dana 44 with e brake same gear ratio and bolt pattern for the wheels and the right width. ive used these in some mud trucks we built and they all held up even wit 270,000 mile on them just my 02

 

[Bubbajones69]

What is the ratio of the rear diff? 3.36?

Gear ratio is 4.11

 

[pjohnson]

Mini truck diffs don't fit in LC housings. Figure out what transfer case you want and that will determine rear axle options (offset vs centered).

It doesn't have to be complicated, especially if it's a mild wheeling rig. Stock LC would be just fine as long as you keep the throttle under control. Even then, I've seen LC axles take a lot of abuse. And if you buy upgraded axle shafts, even more so.

 

[Bubbajones69]

Thanks to all for the insight - always appreciated! I am definitely going to stay with centered rear - if I can’t get the 241c to fit that I have - I am going to splurge on early Xmas present and get an atlas 2.

The front axle I am going to upgrade to long fields - maybe upgraded steering knuckles...

The rear cleaned up real well - I may just run Em till they break - or possibly swap out third for full float and custom axles -

I have heavy duty disc kit and upgraded master cylinder to give it disc brakes all around so stopping power should be great.

For the cost of a new axle I can upgrade the suspension to old man setup

Still torn on the transmission - have a perfectly good th350 - overdrive would be nice... maybe a manual... but the novelty of shifting wears off... sooo many choices- maybe I should just get another fj and have two!

 

[bwalma]

I'll take the centered axle shafts off your hands and run them til they break. I also will be running a 383.