I'm in the process of installing ARB lockers. To keep my 1/1980 FJ40 on the road while embarking on this adventure, I bought what I thought was a compatible rear axle based on it's general appearance, dimensions, and gear ratio (3.70, which was standard starting in 1978 according to this). I have disassembled the diff and am in the process of assembling the pinion. I noticed that the aft pinion bearings (old and new) appear to be quite different thicknesses (see attached pic). The new bearing is out of a Sierra kit (IK TOYLC-B).
Thinking that the axle I bought may be older than I thought, I took a closer look at Cruiserfaq.com and noticed that a 27 spline pinion was introduced in '78. Mine is a 10 spline (see pic). Do I have the wrong bearing set, or perhaps the difference in bearing thickness works it's self out once it's torqued?
NOTE: In the pics, the new bearing is on the pinion and the old bearing is off to the side. The races are not interchangeable between the two (e.g., the new one doesn't seat on the old roller cage and vice versa). The two races do, however, have the same OD and ID and the new one pressed onto the pinion just fine.
Any advice appreciated!
Thinking that the axle I bought may be older than I thought, I took a closer look at Cruiserfaq.com and noticed that a 27 spline pinion was introduced in '78. Mine is a 10 spline (see pic). Do I have the wrong bearing set, or perhaps the difference in bearing thickness works it's self out once it's torqued?
NOTE: In the pics, the new bearing is on the pinion and the old bearing is off to the side. The races are not interchangeable between the two (e.g., the new one doesn't seat on the old roller cage and vice versa). The two races do, however, have the same OD and ID and the new one pressed onto the pinion just fine.
Any advice appreciated!