Steering arm studs

[twistedspline]

Well I got the spring over, lockers, and high steer done in time to make Moab for the hotrod show and do a little wheeling at BFE and Pritchett canyon. I managed to smoke my clutch. Not surprising as it was the original one with 160,000 miles and well 3.73 gears with 33" tires and lockers just are not nice on the poor thing. I fixed that and noticed that I sheared 2 studs off the knuckle That hold the High steer arm on. What are they technically called? I went to Checker in Moab and they looked at me like I was on crack and said they didn't carry anything like that. Also where is the best place to get them or order them? I also need the cone washers that go with them. If certain brands are better or an upgrade let me know because I need strong.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

They are considered "knuckle studs"
I picked up some new ARP studs from trail-gear (not affiliated), they are a little on the pricey side, but they are a large improvement in strength.
They also have stock studs for sale too.
TG isn't the only place that has them I believe marlin does too along with some other places.

 

[twistedspline]

cool cool. I have a mini truck front axle to steal parts off of sitting in the back yard but I want stronger. Ill look into the TG ones and Marlin. Any others that people would suggest?

 

[weak-link]

You can still get all the parts from Toyota.

sounds like you just missed a side and they never got torqued after the spring over.

Upper Knuckle Stud Kit | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

One of the things that usually results in broken studs is them being loose. Its always a good idea to check tightness before hard wheeling.

 

[slacker24-7]

Front Range is a good source of ARP studs as well,and you can get the cone washers from them also.. to me that is the only way to go when running over sized tires,lockers and asisted or hydro steering.. as said above be sure to check the stud nuts pretty often that probably causes more stud breakage than anything

 

[twistedspline]

Yeah im betting they loosened up on me while wheeling. Im going to go with the ARP and also do the 5th bolt conversion. Im still learning the yota ins and outs. That being said the only jeep ive ever wheeled that is comparable to what my 60 can do was a cj8 scrambler. I had to do an axle swap in it tho.... I cant believe its taken me this many years to join the dark side lol.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

They are considered "knuckle studs"
I picked up some new ARP studs from trail-gear (not affiliated), they are a little on the pricey side, but they are a large improvement in strength.
They also have stock studs for sale too.
TG isn't the only place that has them I believe marlin does too along with some other places.

x2 I got my ARP studs from TG freakin 10 bucks each but worth it in the end.

One of the things that usually results in broken studs is them being loose. Its always a good idea to check tightness before hard wheeling.

x infinity!
Add ram assist and they come loose even faster! I now check mine before every ride day after trashing a knuckle from a loose stud or two and shearing them off.

 

[alaska60]

four arp studs are stronger than the six shooters!
Arp bolts and fasteners are used by NASA because of their strength!

 

[ntsqd]

Advantage of the six shooters looks to be that the size of the stud pattern is larger. Simply increasing the spacing between the existing 4 studs would reduce the leverage against them and make for a stronger joint.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

four arp studs are stronger than the six shooters!
Arp bolts and fasteners are used by NASA because of their strength!

Advantage of the six shooters looks to be that the size of the stud pattern is larger. Simply increasing the spacing between the existing 4 studs would reduce the leverage against them and make for a stronger joint.

How about six shooters WITH ARP studs...

 

[ntsqd]

The too much is just enough thought process? I'm sure someone, somewhere has managed to wreck even that combo, but it would be a stout assembly.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

The too much is just enough thought process? I'm sure someone, somewhere has managed to wreck even that combo, but it would be a stout assembly.

Thats next on my list of things to buy, along with the trunion bearing eliminator kit as I have taken a couple of those out as well. at that point if I keep breaking stuff it will be time for a D60 front or a 14B made into a steer axle. 40's and ram assist is hard on stuff but the full hydro I want will be harder.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

four arp studs are stronger than the six shooters!
!

Not so sure about that. The 6 shooters improve the mechanical advantage in a way the ARP stud never could.

The 6 shooters are a good thing, and combined with the ARP studs would be pretty cool.

I used the factory studs with the 6 shooters, and so far, so good.

 

[NCFJ]

I cant believe its taken me this many years to join the dark side lol.

That's funny, my buddy James sold me all his Yota stuff and bought a Jeep, he told me "I've gone over to the dark side"

 

[ntsqd]

How much of a D60 conversion will buying the Six-shooters and ARP studs purchase? I think at that tire size that the money is better spent on a D60 or a 14bff. I'm all for the LC axles where appropriate, which is 90%+ of the users here, but I'm also a realist. Better to spend the money once than keep upgrading something that isn't really up to the job in the first place.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

How much of a D60 conversion will buying the Six-shooters and ARP studs purchase? I think at that tire size that the money is better spent on a D60 or a 14bff. I'm all for the LC axles where appropriate, which is 90%+ of the users here, but I'm also a realist. Better to spend the money once than keep upgrading something that isn't really up to the job in the first place.

I agree.


I've spent a bunch of time looking for the right D60. They are not that common and $1200 seems to be the going price if you want the right configuration and brakes. Then you need to factor in 35 spline outers, a locker and the fab to make it fit your Land Cruiser.

So the 6 shooters, new studs (the factories are plenty good), and Longfield 30 splines are a good upgrade to factory Toyota. They are not close to an upgraded D60.

A Chevy D60, with high steer, a locker and appropriate gearing is going to cost plenty. So you better be sure you need it.


The rear 14 bolt is almost a no brainer. Cheap, heavy duty, available everywhere (often with a Detroit locker).

 

[NCFJ]

I am researching parts and final cost on building a set of 60 axles currently. I am thinking I need to hit the lottery. The bottom line is no matter what axle you are building, if you want to do it right so you only have to do it once is going to cost you. That only once part really appeals to me.

Any threads here on the 60 section about the six shooters, different setups like the trunnion Eliminator from Trail gear with the 6 shooters? I am also looking at Marlin's 25mm setup with arms. I do not think that Marlins system is compatible with the Trail Gear. The six stud and larger footprint is a good design from design standpoint. Everyone I have spoke with that uses them are happy.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I am researching parts and final cost on building a set of 60 axles currently. I am thinking I need to hit the lottery. The bottom line is no matter what axle you are building, if you want to do it right so you only have to do it once is going to cost you. That only once part really appeals to me.

Any threads here on the 60 section about the six shooters, different setups like the trunnion Eliminator from Trail gear with the 6 shooters? I am also looking at Marlin's 25mm setup with arms. I do not think that Marlins system is compatible with the Trail Gear. The six stud and larger footprint is a good design from design standpoint. Everyone I have spoke with that uses them are happy.

Luke Porter at 4x4Labs fabricates billet 6 stud high steer arms and can machine for the larger inside diameter Marlin bearing. So you can run the 6 shooters, the best high steer, and the upgraded knuckle bearings.

I do believe the 6 shooters are an excellent product, but 4x4Labs also has a clever 2 stud weld on conversion to convert your existing knuckles to 6 stud knuckles. I made a set with that too that I keep as spares in the truck.

Picture of my set up for visual aid:

 

[NCFJ]

Luke Porter at 4x4Labs fabricates billet 6 stud high steer arms and can machine for the larger inside diameter Marlin bearing. So you can run the 6 shooters, the best high steer, and the upgraded knuckle bearings.

I do believe the 6 shooters are an excellent product, but 4x4Labs also has a clever 2 stud weld on conversion to convert your existing knuckles to 6 stud knuckles. I made a set with that too that I keep as spares in the truck.

Picture of my set up for visual aid:

I like the setup you are running. Seems like the best of all parts available. I have seen enough sheared studs on the trail, I can't see sticking with 4 when a better 6 stud option is available. Just like everythig else, a matter of money