What are Birfield prices like as of late?

[Eicca]

I haven’t checked in on Birf prices in a while. The 80 has been parked sadly for quite some time. It’s in great mechanical shape other than the fluid that started leaking from both of the knuckles. Looks like motor oil, so I’m guessing the inner axle seals have gone bad. The Birfs that are in there are OEM at 218k. Thinking the time has come to bite the bullet and redo the whole front axle.

What are the latest recommended brands for mostly-street-use Birfs, and any guesses on the cost to have a reputable Cruiser shop do the job?

 

[inkpot]

Have searched places like Criiseroutfitters.com?

 

[COYS]

Just get the rebuild kit cruiser outfitters sells and eliminate the guessing game.

 

[OGBeno]

Terrain Tamer birfields are quite nice and they are very reasonably priced as well. I run these on my 70.

But since you are in Utah, it just makes sense to go local with Kurt.

 

[Eicca]

I'll check with Cruiser Outfitters. I'm leaving town shortly so having a shop do the work will probably be necessary.

 

[shocktower]

The DOW on Birfields is steady, do not see a sudden drop any time soon

 

[NV1971FJ40]

rcv’s

 

[cruiserdan]

Real ones list for 970 bucks a copy. They can be found on giveaway sites for about 650 bucks a copy.

 

[-Spike-]

Real ones list for 970 bucks a copy. They can be found on giveaway sites for about 650 bucks a copy.

Right about here is where I start to question the sanity of the nutjobs that insist on all OEM parts...

 

[cruiserdan]

In my view Toyota is way out of line on the price of this component. On the other hand they are the nicest ones out there. Are they worth the difference? That depends on the potential buyer.

 

[cruiserdan]

Right about here is where I start to question the sanity of the nutjobs that insist on all OEM parts...

By the way Camelback wants 710 bucks for a real one. Smart internet shoppers would consider that a ripoff

As a footnote to that, if I was still in the game I would have wanted 726 bucks each. Clearly I would have needed a bigger gun and a better mask.... Oh, and no family to support.

 

[-Spike-]

By the way Camelback wants 710 bucks for a real one. Smart internet shoppers would consider that a ripoff

I'd consider it a ripoff at half that price.

Thankfully I still have OEM's, but I'd have to find an alternative to OEM if I need to replace them. I would blame crappy parts if I break them, but I'd have no choice. I'm an OEM kinda guy when I can be, but not when I can't see the value.

 

[cruiserdan]

I get that.

Don't tell anyone but I put a ChiCom radiator in my wife's 80 last year. It rattled the foundation of my 40 years in the car business. But, on the other hand, it wasn't my truck.....

 

[OGBeno]

I remember when I bought two 43405-60120's for my part time conversion project back in 2008. They were around $620 or so then.

Then CDan and I go to Japan in 2010 and we were amazed that they were about $225 each.

 

[cruiserdan]

Ah yes. Gear oil was over a hundred bucks a quart but the birfs were reasonable......

 

[Eicca]

Maybe I’ll hunt around on the deep web for an OEM parts black market or something.

 

[OGBeno]

Would be a waste of money. Give Kurt or Bryce a call and be done with it. I would not overthink this at all.

 

[Red Merle]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I have a quick question about birf wear. I rebuilt my front axle with all new seals, bearings, etc a couple of years ago and everything seems fine except for once in a while if I have the wheel all the way pinned towards the drivers side and I am giving it gas, I can hear a faint clicking. It doesn't always happen and it's not something that ever happens in a normal turning motion, but I am wondering if that is sort of normal(the truck has 265,000 miles now, original birfs) or I should be thinking about getting new birfs in the not so distant future?

Mine is the only 80 I have ever driven so I have nothing else to base my experience on. Also, can you just do one side if need be? The passenger side never does it.

 

[OGBeno]

Your birfs will last eons even with clicking.

 

[Red Merle]

Your birfs will last eons even with clicking.

That's what I wanted to hear Thank you!

I will keep an eye on it though. If it gets worse or more common, I will make a plan to address it.