The Bling of Birfields

[NW-sickboy]

Bobby Long has a new Birfield upgrade (can you say 4340 chromoly?) that is a direct replacement with shaft and axle. He hasnt built them for the 80 series birf yet but has hinted that it is next. It is NOT a stock birf heat treated and so it does not soften and should be able to be run in a full time 4x4 vehicle it is diffrent in design than the stock. check links for more info.... its the closest thing to a Dana 60 upgrade you could get without going Dana 60. The strength and product into is currently being discussed in a couple threads here

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267952

So........ as alot of us are getting the "clicking" or looking for spares (expensive, since thier either used or Brand new and thats spendy and not even an upgrade) .......

Cost for Landcruiser/minitruck set (birfs and axles) is $635.. 80s would likely be more so just guessing say $690 to $750

Would you consider this upgrade?

would you consider this instead of replacing?

What would you pay for it? (comparing the price of an OEM replacement not being an upgrade but a replacement)

would this change your plans for how you build or wheel your rig?

Disclaimer
i have no affiliation with Long and am gaining nothing from this.

 

[Junk]

fwiw, he's not the only one currently playing with 4340 and no this does not, nor would it have impacted how I built my truck.

There will always be a weak link.

 

[Junk]

Oh, and BTW, I have several new OEM birfields in the garage

 

[RavenTai]

IF they are more durable in both highway mils and off road abuse than the stock birf AND cost the same or less then OEM birfs (with the bonus of new inners) AND have the abs ring, then it would be a no brainier witch to choose when your birf’s fail

How much are OEM birf's? IIRC the list for one side OEM outer only is close to that, smart shopper much less but still more for both sides

That price estimate is for both side’s inners and outers correct?

 

[NW-sickboy]

IF

That price estimate is for both side’s inners and outers correct?

correct.. the 635$ is for minitrucks and early cruisers. so i am just guesing on the 80 price.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

I'd be in and wouldn't have gone with the fricken newfields I've got now. I didn't know any better when I bought them, but, did so solely on price. 2 for the price of 1 as compared to OEM.

 

[Curran]

I'm interested

So if you throw a set of these in under your rig, what is the new fuse in the drive line? the Pinion gear? And has anyone ever broken a 4.88 pinion in an 80?
Thanks?

 

[sleeoffroad]

1 front in the 80 and 1 front in the 100 series.

 

[Curran]

1 front in the 80 and 1 front in the 100 series.

Christo, what size tires were you running at the time? And was this on the OEM birfs?
Thanks.

 

[concretejungle]

fwiw, he's not the only one currently playing with 4340 and no this does not, nor would it have impacted how I built my truck.

There will always be a weak link.

you got that right junk, and it's behind the wheel! hehehehe

 

[sleeoffroad]

Christo, what size tires were you running at the time? And was this on the OEM birfs?
Thanks.

80 series was stock Toy birfs with 35's. I knew I broke it when I pulled a guy backwards out of a snowbank with lockers on and the winch pulling. It was a Toyota 4.88 gearset.

100 series was going up a hill with 35's. Broke the front axle and the ring gear at the same time.

 

[Riley]

So if you throw a set of these in under your rig, what is the new fuse in the drive line? the Pinion gear? ..snip....
Thanks?

Excellent point. I remember when I was a kid and Ford made a big deal about how strong their I-beam design was in their F series 2WD pickups. I recall my dad's mechanic friend saying that the big problem was that it was too strong and if the front end ever got crunched, the entire frame was damaged. He thought the Chev or Dodge was much better because at least you could fix the wishbone design much easier.

Ever since then I see old Ford pickups "dog tracking" down the highway because bent frames.

Also in helicopters they design in a weak link in the tail section as to not cause heavy damage in the tail sections if the tail rotor wacks something.

 

[RavenTai]

Maybe these will move the weak spot somewhere else, but the birf is the current weak spot, if it is reinforced the overall strength is improved and that should lead to less breakage?

What is stronger R&P or Aisin hub? I know an Aisin hub is stronger than a mini birf, not sure about the oem 80’s birf or any “improved” ones

 

[NW-sickboy]

the weak link may be R&P but prolly only in a sutuation like where christo is pulling a guy back. I would guess most are not going to break a R&P's especially if you havent even broke a birf yet.... I dont want the week link to be the birf, and i wont worry to much about the R&P till it goes. the main reason i am concerned with Birfs now is i need spares and/or would like to upgrade. this seems like a great option. Alot of guys are making better birfs but i am not convicend there are any good options right now.... this seems like an amazing option. i hope they are built. it would only help in the progression of 80's