Replacement HDJ81 Front Axle

[FloridaZee]

TLDR HDJ81 being repaired by insurance and need leads to find replacement front axle within US and Canada.

Hello everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster. Very early this February, A lovely couple decided arguing was more important than stopping at a redlight and t-boned my cruiser right at the intersection. All the impact ended up on the rim and axle and i had to deal with insurance to start repair. Originally, Insurance was automatically preparing to total out my HDJ81 with the idea that it was only worth like 7 grand. They took it to Copart Inspected it and (surprisingly) gave a valuation of around 20k without me ever having to say a thing. I was super surprised since I've hear some horror stories of insurance dealing with JDMs. They ended up deciding on sending the vehicle in to a collision center for repairs and that leads me to where I am now.

I've put some time searching and they have as well. I am reaching out to everyone as a last ditch effort to try and find a HDJ81 Axle with ABS with the gears for an axle code of k295. The axle has to be in Canada or the the United States in order for them to be able to order it. I believe they are looking for the full axle most likely from a parted out vehicle. If anyone knows any leads or ideas anything would be helpful at this moment. I've reached out to Back40imports with no luck and am waiting to hear back from Mekaniks Custom Works.

Thanks!

 

[Squash]

Lots of these out there.
If you are smart, and I'm not accusing you here get a K294 front axle.
For Canada try Facebook Marketplace.
80's in Canada page.
Use a search engine, you'll be surprised.
Also this forum has a parting out page in the classifieds.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

TLDR HDJ81 being repaired by insurance and need leads to find replacement front axle within US and Canada.

Hello everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster. Very early this February, A lovely couple decided arguing was more important than stopping at a redlight and t-boned my cruiser right at the intersection. All the impact ended up on the rim and axle and i had to deal with insurance to start repair. Originally, Insurance was automatically preparing to total out my HDJ81 with the idea that it was only worth like 7 grand. They took it to Copart Inspected it and (surprisingly) gave a valuation of around 20k without me ever having to say a thing. I was super surprised since I've hear some horror stories of insurance dealing with JDMs. They ended up deciding on sending the vehicle in to a collision center for repairs and that leads me to where I am now.

I've put some time searching and they have as well. I am reaching out to everyone as a last ditch effort to try and find a HDJ81 Axle with ABS with the gears for an axle code of k295. The axle has to be in Canada or the the United States in order for them to be able to order it. I believe they are looking for the full axle most likely from a parted out vehicle. If anyone knows any leads or ideas anything would be helpful at this moment. I've reached out to Back40imports with no luck and am waiting to hear back from Mekaniks Custom Works.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure that the front is just a standard open diff. @cruiserdan would likely know.

 

[cruiserdan]

An HDJ81 is right hand drive. A left hand drive front axle housing will not work. I doubt you will be able to locate a used right hand drive housing in North America.

 

[FloridaZee]

An HDJ81 is right hand drive. A left hand drive front axle housing will not work. I doubt you will be able to locate a used right hand drive housing in North America.

A little update. Appreciate the replies and advice from everyone. @Squash The most luck ive had has been in Canada numbers wise. I was able to locate a used K295 front axle in the states through Back40Imports though. Currently just waiting on said axle to be converted to ABS. We're waiting on these conversion parts from Japan. Thankfully insurance is covering all of this. Its been almost 4 months since the accident and I believe it should be at least 1 more till i can finally get her back on the road again. Im keeping my fingers crossed that everything fits smoothly and nothing else pops up during installation and alignment. Ill get a final post with before and after pics when we get all buttoned up.

Thanks again Fellas,

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

An HDJ81 is right hand drive. A left hand drive front axle housing will not work. I doubt you will be able to locate a used right hand drive housing in North America.

I was thinking of the knuckles being attainable and transferable, but after reading what you wrote I remembered, panhard bar bracket would be on the wrong side for an RHD. That's why we call upon the Dan.

 

[cruiserdan]

The steering arms are also mirror images. Knuckles and spindles and brake parts are ambidextrous

 

[Squash]

Try 4wheelauto.com in Edmonton. Talk to Dan.
Lots of cruiser parts.
Again, why not the k294 front or some derivative of an actual looking diff.
You could add an Air locker like ARB or electric as in Harrop/Eaton to a regular K292 diff as well.
I have cruisers with Air, OEM, Cable and Eaton electric lockers. Have also used lunchbox lockers in the rear.

 

[TurboDennis]

If you can't find a RHD axle, it's not rocket science to fab up the panhard bracket and weld it on the other side of the axle..

I made the bracket bellow for a LHD conversion that i did. I wanted it to be pretty much a replica of the original, but it can be made much simpler if you dont care about how it looks.