solid axle swap questions

[Cube Dweller]

I have an 86 xtra cab that I am seriously thinking about doing the IFS to solid axle swap on. I've been checking out the for sale section on Pirate and have a few questions...

1. Based on taco'ing the front axle in my 1980 pickup after a nice sized jump ( a long time ago)I assume you don't want a 79 or 80 axle since they aren't trussed. Is there a preferred year?

2. I saw one for sale that had auto locking hubs. Can I convert this to manual locking hubs using the ones from my IFS front suspension?

I've been going thru the pirate faq's and search without much luck. And I did search here as well....

 

[brian]

the 84-5 axle is the shizzle to be bling'n.

i'm pretty sure the auto's can be replaced with manauls, although after re-reading your post i don't know if the 86 hubs can be used.

i'm in the same boat as you, '86 look'n to swap

 

[woody]

correct, 85 is best, 84 a close second....those two have the better factory long-side tube bracing

Auto hubs on a solid axle?!? Didn't know it existed...actually, 99.999% sure it didn't, unless it's aftermarket. However, your IFS lockouts won't work, so plan on sourcing some Aisins for it.

Chris Geiger from MarlinCrawler.com is quite experienced with mini stuff....he's on the forum, 80 series regular.

 

[offroadkid]

Hey Sacto,

There's two bothers in Sacramento, (AJ & Chuck Gardella) who have a kick ass fabrication company www.bentup.com

They do all sorts of S.A.S. and custom fabrication for Toyotas.

 

[Jonathan_Ferguson]

correct, 85 is best, 84 a close second....those two have the better factory long-side tube bracing

What's wrong with 1988 through 1997?

Auto hubs on a solid axle?!? Didn't know it existed...actually, 99.999% sure it didn't, unless it's aftermarket.

The Bundera(Landcruiser 70) got 'em from day one in 1985 and the Hilux SR5 got 'em from 1988.

 

[calamaridog]

http://www.aor4x4.com/

http://www.bentup.com/

http://www.marlincrawler.com/

BTW, there is nothing that says you have to use a Toyota axle. You can find a junk yard D44 and use it for the SAS

 

[woody]

What's wrong with 1988 through 1997?

Because, in the United States, the only option for minitrucks from 86 onwards was IFS....

...unless you plan to import some axles for us

 

[CruisinGA]

BTW, there is nothing that says you have to use a Toyota axle.

Only good sense.

 

[calamaridog]

Only good sense.

Nothing wrong with a $200 dollar junkyard D44!

 

[Cube Dweller]

yep. auto hubs

Browsing the Marlin board, couple people have mentioned their '84 p/u's had auto hubs. I also had thought auto hubs were only available on the IFS trucks.

FWIW.

tony

 

[pappy]

Auto hubs were used on SR5 trucks. Yes, you can swap on a pair of manuals, but you can't use your IFS hubs. There has been historically a tech article on the subject at both 4x4wire.com and off-road.com. It's an easy swap if you don't plan on keeping anything on the autos. Also, some folks say you need the Warn conversion kit. Save your money ... the dealer is cheaper on those parts. You can use the splindle nuts and thrust washers from your IFS, though.

 

[bkg]

sactocruiser is correct - auto hubs were available in 84/85, but were rair. I want to say they were typically on the (also rare) auto-tranny trucks/4runners.

To answer your questions - Woody mentioned the 85 axle. 84-85 were the same, both have the long truss on the drivers side. 81-83 had the partial truss. Marlin, Sky and others offer an additional truss that you can weld on to the top of the axle as well.

you can replace the auto hubs with any set of hubs from a solid truck. You cannot use the IFS hubs - the spline count is different , so they won't work.

bkg