Advice on axle swap!!!?
#1
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Advice on axle swap!!!?
I have a 93 Toyota pickup, 22re, and i'd like to do the solid axle swap for the front, but im not sure what a good axle is? i hear of dana 40's, 44, 60, etc. but im not sure which would be good for my rig! any suggestions, tips, advice on what kind to get, how to put it in, if i should even do a solid axle swap or not, can i use the same suspension mounts for my shocks or what? what all needs to be done to do it?
thanks!
thanks!
#2
im currently working on doing a dana 44 swap on my 84 xcab. its a 75 chevy k10 dana 44 with the discs and manual locking hubs. it is costing tons and i am doing everthing myself (besides resplining my shaft and building DL's) and i get a 40% discount at NAPA for my parts. i shortened the housing on the longside 4" and am putting a 88 4runner axle in the rear. going with 4.88's and running 37 mtr's. with all this coming together i would suggest that you use a toy front axle for your swap since it wont cost as much and idk what you have access to for like a welder and stuff. the kits make sas so easy and a good price thats prob what i would do. just my opinion though. ive been doing the build but have just been too lazy to make a thread and not sure how to post up pics? hope this helps! oh ya and you pretty much cut everything off and start over w mounts and such.
#3
I have a 93 Toyota pickup, 22re, and i'd like to do the solid axle swap for the front, but im not sure what a good axle is? i hear of dana 40's, 44, 60, etc. but im not sure which would be good for my rig! any suggestions, tips, advice on what kind to get, how to put it in, if i should even do a solid axle swap or not, can i use the same suspension mounts for my shocks or what? what all needs to be done to do it?
thanks!
thanks!
It's quite a large project. Chances are, if you're asking simple questions like this, then I would say that this probably isn't the route for you. If you feel that it 'must' be done for whatever reason, then I'd advice taking a few thousand bucks over to your 4x4 shop, drop the truck off for a few weeks and let them have at it.
Not trying to come off harsh, but just trying to be realistic.
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I would have to agree with pb4ugotobed. Do you have any welding experience? My suggestion would be to wheel what you have and make modifications to your truck as needed. Also, if you can find someone in your area that is doing a SAC, see if you can backseat the project to give you an idea of how much work and skill are needed for this type of project.
#5
The stock Toyota solid axle is what most people use. Might read up on it, because its a VERY expensive swap and quite labour intensive as well. The whole project is not a weekend affair- lots of parts to track down which will take time.
#6
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This is one of those "if you have to ask, you don't need it" kinda questions.
To do it properly (gears, lockers, Longfields, etc), if you can weld yourself, you're looking at $3000. Add another $2000 AT LEAST to have a shop do it for you if you can't weld.
Wheel what you got, get some sliders, bumpers, and a rear locker and see if your front suspension is limiting you - for 99.99% of the people out there, the driver is FAR more a liability than the IFS.
To do it properly (gears, lockers, Longfields, etc), if you can weld yourself, you're looking at $3000. Add another $2000 AT LEAST to have a shop do it for you if you can't weld.
Wheel what you got, get some sliders, bumpers, and a rear locker and see if your front suspension is limiting you - for 99.99% of the people out there, the driver is FAR more a liability than the IFS.
#7
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^^^ well said tc. you need to get your feet a little wet first dude. then evaluate whats limiting your vehicle, the ifs or the lack of lockers, armour and experience. not trying to be harsh, just trying to save you time and money.
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#8
Welcome to YT
TC as always offers some sound advice when it comes to this sort of thing.
Things to ask yourself: Why do you want to convert to SA? because is it cool, because you feel your IFS wheels like crap? etc, etc
Take a look at the Solid axle swap folder here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152/
there are a ton of good write ups
if doing an SAS is still the route you want to go, the easiest swap would be to use a toyota axle from a 79-85 truck. The spring mounts will already be in the correct spot (saving work and $$$), you know you will be able to get a gear set to match your rear diff, and than you only will need to run a set of 1.5" wheel spacers up front to match your rear track width.
A stock toyota axle is stronger than a stock dana 44 (if you go with a toy axle don't waste your $$$ on a Birf Eliminator kit)
stock toy mini truck axles come in three flavors: 84-85 being the prime choice due to the factory gusseting..
some axle info to confuse you
Axle Info
Axle info - Toyota
Toyota Mini Truck Front Axle Identification
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)
84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)
Stock Toyota front axle measurements for comparison:
55.5" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, SA Hubs
58.25" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, IFS Hubs
63.5" wide, (set up for coil springs) 90-97 FJ80 and FZJ80 Landcruisers
'86-95 IFS front end is about 58.5" wide
'93-98 T100 IFS front end is about 65" wide
Toyota Rear Axle Widths:
55" wide, '79-85 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
58" wide, '86-95 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
56" wide, '79-95 2wd Trucks - 5 Lug
60.75" wide, '95.5-up Tacomas/4runners
66.75" wide, '93-98 T100 trucks
ID Toyota Mini Truck axles
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)
84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)
not to dissuade your pursuit for a straight axle but I would suggest you do a lot of research and reading before you spend the $$$ just yet.
99% of your potential questions will have been asked before, just spend a little time doing the leg work and educate yourself..
a lot of questions can also be answered using the Pirate 4x4 Toyota FAQ
***word of warning*** unless you like getting yelled at on the internet, I highly recommend that you not post on Pirate...they eat newbs for breakfast, lunch and dinner
TC as always offers some sound advice when it comes to this sort of thing.
Things to ask yourself: Why do you want to convert to SA? because is it cool, because you feel your IFS wheels like crap? etc, etc
Take a look at the Solid axle swap folder here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152/
there are a ton of good write ups
if doing an SAS is still the route you want to go, the easiest swap would be to use a toyota axle from a 79-85 truck. The spring mounts will already be in the correct spot (saving work and $$$), you know you will be able to get a gear set to match your rear diff, and than you only will need to run a set of 1.5" wheel spacers up front to match your rear track width.
A stock toyota axle is stronger than a stock dana 44 (if you go with a toy axle don't waste your $$$ on a Birf Eliminator kit)
stock toy mini truck axles come in three flavors: 84-85 being the prime choice due to the factory gusseting..
some axle info to confuse you
Axle Info
Axle info - Toyota
Toyota Mini Truck Front Axle Identification
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)
84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)
Stock Toyota front axle measurements for comparison:
55.5" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, SA Hubs
58.25" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, IFS Hubs
63.5" wide, (set up for coil springs) 90-97 FJ80 and FZJ80 Landcruisers
'86-95 IFS front end is about 58.5" wide
'93-98 T100 IFS front end is about 65" wide
Toyota Rear Axle Widths:
55" wide, '79-85 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
58" wide, '86-95 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
56" wide, '79-95 2wd Trucks - 5 Lug
60.75" wide, '95.5-up Tacomas/4runners
66.75" wide, '93-98 T100 trucks
ID Toyota Mini Truck axles
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)
84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)
not to dissuade your pursuit for a straight axle but I would suggest you do a lot of research and reading before you spend the $$$ just yet.
99% of your potential questions will have been asked before, just spend a little time doing the leg work and educate yourself..
a lot of questions can also be answered using the Pirate 4x4 Toyota FAQ
***word of warning*** unless you like getting yelled at on the internet, I highly recommend that you not post on Pirate...they eat newbs for breakfast, lunch and dinner
#9
Im pretty sure ocdropzone covered everything. If you search there are a ton of good write up with details of every section of the swap. Im halfway done mine, its been like a month long project but ive done everything thing from scratch. I used wagoneer springs and an 1985 toyota front end.
Mine partially done:
You just have to ask y exactly you want this mod. I wanted to sas when i first got into 4x4ing my 88 cuz i thought it looked cool. But instead i invested that money into lockers and armour and my pos wheeled great. I wouldnt sas untill you start flopping your truck due to lack of articulation.
Good luck, and the search in yotatech is loaded with info
Justin
Mine partially done:
You just have to ask y exactly you want this mod. I wanted to sas when i first got into 4x4ing my 88 cuz i thought it looked cool. But instead i invested that money into lockers and armour and my pos wheeled great. I wouldnt sas untill you start flopping your truck due to lack of articulation.
Good luck, and the search in yotatech is loaded with info
Justin
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