Upgraded (hybrid) axle info wanted

[Mr Stubs]

New to this forum and its operation. Also my understanding of Cruisers and the year/model differences is very low. Figured I would post as I haven't found much info searching here yet (so many forums)

This is a link to my Pirate build so you guys can get a idea on why I want something like these.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-truck-4runner/731541-blueberry-krunch.html



Im researching axle options for my propane turbo powered crawler. The stock mini 6 cyl rear and HP 8 just are not cutting it.

Im looking into a 9.5 chunk with a load bolt. Rear would be a centered axle with 35 spline Toyota hybrid shafts. To my knowledge a 12 bolt spool will work as a locker for this rear application.

Front would have the same 9.5 chunk and a load bolt. It would run FJZ outers (hellfire knuckles and the super new 30-30-30 spline FJZ chromo axle set from Longfeilds)

Of course this is all very expensive. I have talked with Brian at FROR about diamond axle housings already but they are expensive. I think that I would make my own housings if possible.

So with that whole story written can anyone post up some links to anything that is similar to this from here? I figure I would start with info on centering the rear axle.

 

[Mace]

You will still snap the pinion off of the 9.5" chunk.

If you are going to upgrade, get away from the toyota stuff.

it'll be cheaper in the long run.

 

[The Dude]

yup, for a crawler ditch the toyota stuff. I kept it all on my "expo" style rig because all I wheel with is other land cruiser guys, and in far away places it has it advantages if we all have close to the same parts list for spares needed.

I just added up my front axle build and I can say for certain that you can get into a currie axle 60 outers with a ford 9" center for the same or less and have a superior axle to my "built" toy axles...

 

[woody]

I vaguely recall that Just Differentials was working on 35-spline Toyota stuff, including lockers...

Gota say tho, you are polishing the turd about as far as you can...been there, done that, and the price only gets you non-standard parts that are unobtanium when you need them most.

Centered rear hybrid is easy....minitruck housing tube OD is the same as a FJ40/FJ60 housing ID...cut, slip fit, align, weld. But still not that strong (ie: bent housings)...I'd go Ruffstuff...then you could to 60 or 9" center in front with the 80-series outers and hellfire knuckles.

If a welded rear chunk isn't properly pre-loaded as part of the welding process, they break...my first one did...my second one lasted many years (and is still together, just not in a rig anymore...lol)

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I have been researching axles for a while.

For the money involved with building a custom axle using the toyota based stuff vs getting a custom Ford 9 or 609 style front end, I don't think you're going to be giving yourself much, if any, upgrades for the money spent.

I did the cost break down of doing a custom full floating rear end using all new parts (including third member, brakes, etc) vs getting a Trail Gear Rock Assault 9 and the cost difference was about $566. For that $566 you get 35 spline shafts, a significantly stronger third member, and cromoly everything.

Personally, I feel that unless you have pretty much EVERYTHING in boxes and ready to go (knuckles, birfields, third members, axle shafts, etc) you're going to be money ahead just going the 9" route.

 

[Bret]

You see the 5.7 Tundra center on fabricated axle housing? Running ARB with 35 or 40 spline could be possible IIRC, been awhile since I read it but the diff looked stout. Have to figure out what outers you wanted.

 

[bustanutley]

To spend all that money and not also replace the stock Toyota housings would be foolish. If you want to upgrade on the cheep, use what you have and just replace the front housing with an fj60 housing and find a 9.5 diff. You will only need a new short side inner and whatever you do with the diff itself. For the rear you could get your hands on a 8.4 taco rear end, I spent $200 to get one and put under my 40 as a 'get me by axle' and, to my surprise, I haven't broken it yet.

I have two freinds who have built the axles you are talking about but with diamond housings. For the same money you can build much stronger axles of pretty similar weight, I would go with a 9" verity myself

 

[Tapage]

8.4 taco rear end, I spent $200 to get one and put under my 40 as a 'get me by axle' and, to my surprise, I haven't broken it yet.

it's your opinion the 8.4 it's stronger than 9.5 cruiser 3rd .:?

 

[bustanutley]

it's your opinion the 8.4 it's stronger than 9.5 cruiser 3rd .:?

No, in my opinion it is slightly weaker. I put it in because it was nearly free and I didn't have to build a housing for it when I put a center transfer case in my truck. 60" wide and centered.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

No, in my opinion it is slightly weaker. I put it in because it was nearly free and I didn't have to build a housing for it when I put a center transfer case in my truck. 60" wide and centered.

The 8.4 has actually intrigued me.
Yes, the ring gear is smaller than the 'Cruiser, however, the bearing caps are girdled which will minimize flexing of the housing and ring gear deflection. I don't have any hard data, but it would make sense to me that the 8.4 is at least as strong as the 'Cruiser 9.5 for that reason. They did use that rear end in the first gen tundras with the 4.7 V8 which makes a bit more power and torque than the F/2F or even the 1FZ.

As far as the axle shafts go, they use the same diameter 30 spline shafts. My only concern with the 8.4 would be the axle housing itself being made of thinner tube.

 

[Mace]

I snapped the crap out of a taco shaft with 2F/sm420 and 38" sx's. WHich is why I run a 14 bolt now.

I could not believe how easily it died. They do make alloy shafts now. No way I would run one without upgraded shafts.

 

[Mr Stubs]

So no links to hybrid axle builds here?

 

[mookie]

I built one....... it turned out to be an abortion and i wish the idea for it had never entered my mind