Upgrade '65 to Birfield?

[Ratt]

Other than the spider gear splines, can I swap out the old "ball" type joint for a birfield? If not I have a '71 front end I can swap in, but I'd like to keep that as a spare, ya never know.

Oh yeah, first post here. I have been reading the tech stuff for years, I own 3 FJ40's, a '65 rust bucket stock, '66 with a HOT SB350 with a fiberglass body and 5 speed, '71 Big Green with SB350 th 350 and NP205 transfer with mini truck centered rear axle. 4" body lift with 35's.

Ratt

 

[Ratt]

Um, I checked all the FAQ stuff, and did a search, I checked to make sure my fly was zipped, and my deodorant didn't fail. If someone needs to point out I'm stoopid I can handle that, I've been called worse. Just thought the experts would chime in.
Ratt

 

[Poser]

Welcome.


I would just swap out the complete housing and ‘upgrade’ to seals, opposed to bushings in the housing to keep the gear oil separate from the Moly grease in the knuckles.



Or, even better, skip all that, and swap in a disc brake front axle assembly.

 

[e rock]

Other than the spider gear splines, can I swap out the old "ball" type joint for a birfield? If not I have a '71 front end I can swap in, but I'd like to keep that as a spare, ya never know.

If you swap out the differential side gears, you can use the inner axles and birfields from a later axle (those 71 pieces will work). You will have to pull out the brass bushings that Poser mentioned and install the conventional seals that work with the later inner axles.

When I did mine, it was part of doing a minitruck brake swap, so I'm not sure about proper spacing for the lockout hubs, but I think it should work out ok. The outer axles are the same size and spline so the lockout hubs should be fine.

It's an interesting idea, but the benefit doesn't justify the effort in my opinion.

Is there something wrong with your ball joints?

 

[Ratt]

No, there is nothing wrong with them, yet. I am just worried that the old style would not stand up to the V8 that is installed as well, parts availability is also greater with the birfs.

 

[Jamison Workshop]

What year did the cruiser axle get an oils seal in the ball end as opposed to the bushing at the diff.

Or are you guys saying they went to a bushing in the ball, and you just knock it out and put a standard seal in.

then they went disks ans seal after that.

Edit after searching looks like 68' and up got the seal in the ball.

 

[wesintl]

I'd love to have a ball out of the ball and claw for an art project if you scrap them...

 

[JJS]

If you plan on staying with drums, a possibility might be to get the ball & claw stub shaft cryo'd. Weird, yes, but it's come up before.

You still won't be able to stomp the gas with wheels turned.

 

[Ratt]

I don't do any heavy crawling, mostly logging roads and skid trails, in the snow during deer season. Like I said I have a 71 front end I can restore and swap in if needed. Usually when I'm turning and punching it it is to get out of ruts in the snow or mud, so the tires aren't really hooked up anyway, unless the ruts get down to the granite, and the walk back to town would be UGLY!.

 

[e rock]

If you plan on staying with drums, a possibility might be to get the ball & claw stub shaft cryo'd. Weird, yes, but it's come up before.

You still won't be able to stomp the gas with wheels turned.

FWIW, I've never seen a balljoint axle fail at the knuckle. On the other hand, a large number of the inner shafts I've pulled out have been twisted (some more than others) at the splines and I know I've heard of people completely twisting the splines off. Part of the benefit of swapping in 30-spline inners is that it dramatically increases the strength in this area.

I'd love to have a ball out of the ball and claw for an art project if you scrap them...

I may have a couple floating around here. If you're still looking for some, shoot me a pm with your addy and I'll see if I can find them. I know I had 2 spares, along with the 2 from my 64, but I'm not sure how many are still around.

 

[Ratt]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I know even Birfs don't like to be torqued when turned. I don't know what the previous owner did to this motor. or even if it is a 350 or 383, but this cruiser has some HP and I worry that it will destroy the drivetrain. Fun to drive anyway!