Steering Knuckle 101....(FAQ) (1 Viewer)

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Yes.

1979-1990 40/55/60/62/70 series steering knuckles/spindles/calipers all interchange.

From 08/75-07/80 the rotors and wheel bearing hubs used six 10mm bolts to retain the rotor to the wheel bearing hub, opposed to the 08/80-1990 rotors being retained to the wheel bearing hub by the six wheel studs in addition to two 10mm bolts.

Calipers all interchange through this era of the Land Cruiser; 08/75-1990

40/55 steering arms, while they have the same 'large' pattern where they attach to the steering knuckle, use a smaller tie rod end, so consequently, the hole/taper is smaller on these arms. The 60/62/70 used the same arms with the larger hole for the tie rod ends.


Thank you for the reply. Can't believe how awesome this forum is. My project would probably take twice the time due to research- without this forum and the helpful folks on it.:clap:
 
Ok so probably a dumb question but wanted to ask since this seems like a good place to get a solid answer. I have a 40 series axle with the 60 series brake swap parts (except I need one steering arm atm). My hubs and rotors are from a 60 series where I have the big solid rotor. I was wondering if I could go to a different rotor which I assume is the 62 series where it can be slotted, drilled, vented, etc. Is that a direct bolt on as well or is there anything else that would make it imcompatible like the hubs, calipers, or anything else?
 
If your rotor is solid, it isn't from an FJ60. FJ60 rotors were vented from the factory.

It sounds like you may have a mini truck rotor which were solid.

Drilling and slotting is pointless, don't do that.
 
Ok so probably a dumb question but wanted to ask since this seems like a good place to get a solid answer. I have a 40 series axle with the 60 series brake swap parts (except I need one steering arm atm). My hubs and rotors are from a 60 series where I have the big solid rotor. I was wondering if I could go to a different rotor which I assume is the 62 series where it can be slotted, drilled, vented, etc. Is that a direct bolt on as well or is there anything else that would make it imcompatible like the hubs, calipers, or anything else?
Wheel hubs and rotors: 76-78 Fj40 rotor bolted to hub; 79+ fj40, Fh60, Solid axle Mini rotor attaches to wheel hub with wheel studs. The rotor/wheel hub assemblies are interchangeable as a set. The later (wheel studs thru rotor) rotors are considerably cheaper than the earlier bolt on versions, however, they are more work and expense to change out because wheel lugs have to be removed and replaced, typically with a press. Mini rotors are not vented, but 4runner rotors are.
 
Yeah to take my rotor off the hub, I had to knock out all the studs plus remove a few bolts in order to separate the two from each other. From what you guys are saying it sounds like my parts are off the mini-truck setup. Thank you for confirming this. My rotors are probably brand newish because there is no scoring or anything on them so I intend to use them until they're exhausted.

I'm sorry but one clarifying question here. When it comes to do a replacement for these, can I use the land cruiser version or will I have to stick with the solid version? I'd prefer to keep it as landcruiserish as possible so that later on I have a lower chance of ordering the wrong parts.

The reason for my confusion is because I have to press the studs through so say would a 4runner rotor still work with my hub? How does that work if my current setup has studs pressed into the rotor while the 4runner doesn't?
 
If you have new solid rotors, you'll probably never have to replace them. I think there's .040 worth of meat before they reach discard thickness. But if you do need to replace them, FJ60 rotors are the answer. I used an 84 mini truck donor vehicle and put vented 85 FJ60 rotors on it with no problem. And...if you decide to replace the studs, both auto zone and napa have the wrong part listed for the 60 studs. The correct part numbers are: Napa 6413126 Autozone 610264.
 
If you have new solid rotors, you'll probably never have to replace them. I think there's .040 worth of meat before they reach discard thickness. But if you do need to replace them, FJ60 rotors are the answer. I used an 84 mini truck donor vehicle and put vented 85 FJ60 rotors on it with no problem. And...if you decide to replace the studs, both auto zone and napa have the wrong part listed for the 60 studs. The correct part numbers are: Napa 6413126 Autozone 610264.

edwjmcgrath, super cool thank you a bunch!
 
If you decide to go with the thicker slotted rotors (40/60 series) you will need to replace your calipers. I went with the V6 4runner calipers.
 
Yes.

1979-1990 40/55/60/62/70 series steering knuckles/spindles/calipers all interchange.

From 08/75-07/80 the rotors and wheel bearing hubs used six 10mm bolts to retain the rotor to the wheel bearing hub, opposed to the 08/80-1990 rotors being retained to the wheel bearing hub by the six wheel studs in addition to two 10mm bolts.

Calipers all interchange through this era of the Land Cruiser; 08/75-1990

40/55 steering arms, while they have the same 'large' pattern where they attach to the steering knuckle, use a smaller tie rod end, so consequently, the hole/taper is smaller on these arms. The 60/62/70 used the same arms with the larger hole for the tie rod ends.

This is gold, thanks Steve!
 
40/55 steering arms, while they have the same 'large' pattern where they attach to the steering knuckle, use a smaller tie rod end, so consequently, the hole/taper is smaller on these arms. The 60/62/70 used the same arms with the larger hole for the tie rod ends.

On this topic, I assume it would be wiser to keep the 60/62 arms and find the appropriate tie rod to run 60/62/70 TREs on the narrower 40/55 housing? Vs. trying to source the '79+ 40 arms.
 
is trunnion bearing the same on pre 79 and post 79


Yes.

These bearings are the same on the solid axle drum and disc brake knuckles, 1958-1990.

:beer:
 
What other vehicle has ANY part that didn't change for 32 years? Good for Toyota.
If it works, don't change it.
 
Here are pictures of the larger bolt pattern knuckles using the 12MM stud found on 01/79 and later 40/60/62 and Mini trucks to 07/85:
View attachment 100399View attachment 100400View attachment 100401

Poser, this is the link I was referring to when I mentioned that I have one of each on my '79 FJ40 with drum brakes, which have the larger diameter and 3" wide drums on the front. You mention further down that all trunnion bearings are the same. What about the gasket, shim, seal kits? I see several that reference years and are for disc brake applications. Are there differences in the components? Does anyone know?
 
The smaller pattern knuckles, using the 11mm studs, will use the smaller corresponding shim.

The spindle, mounting hardware wheel bearings, knuckle bearings, gaskets/seals are all the same.
 
The smaller pattern knuckles, using the 11mm studs, will use the smaller corresponding shim.

The spindle, mounting hardware wheel bearings, knuckle bearings, gaskets/seals are all the same.

Thank you Poser! It looks like I would order two of the gasket kits to cover my bases. Would I just order say a '70 and a '79? I found on one of the links some measurements of the Toyota SST used for centering the knuckles to determine shimming. I do not believe my mechanic owns such a tool and suspect that on my '70, as well as his other work, he just replaces size for size "assuming" it wa good before. So I have a machinist here that did a good job for me on my roof rack pivots and so I will have him make me the pieces. I miss my Harding Chucker lathe:(.
 
The smaller pattern knuckles, using the 11mm studs, will use the smaller corresponding shim.

The spindle, mounting hardware wheel bearings, knuckle bearings, gaskets/seals are all the same.

I just finished checking the parts diagram and numbers on Toyota Overstock for '70, '79 and '84 and the shims all have the same part numbers. I was looking at the Marlin Crawler knuckle kits which include their inner axle seal as well as wheel bearings etc and thought I would go with that kit and then buy the smaller shims for one knuckle. Confusing as clearly the dimensions are different.
 

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