Need 6 lug on a 2WD rear axle - only option to swap axles?
#1
Need 6 lug on a 2WD rear axle - only option to swap axles?
Hello all, It's my first post on Yotatech!
I just purchased a trailer made from the back half of a 1986 2WD truck. I would like to convert/swap the axle to accept rims with a 6 lug on 5.5 spacing. This would allow the truck & trailer wheels to swap out.
So far it seems that I need to either swap with a 4wd axle, or use a lug adapter. All the searching I've found states that the 2wd axle and parts are completely different from their 4wd variants.
I might be able to find a 4wd axle in the local yards - but I'm worried that it would provide more lift than I want. 1 to 2" would be great, but I've seen posts that the spring over config adds more like 4", versus the 2wd under slung springs. If I do find a 4wd axle, would I also need to grab the 4wd springs?
On the adapters, I'm concerned about their use in towing. I don't plan on taking the trailer off road, but I also don't want a wheel coming off on the road.
Thanks all.
I just purchased a trailer made from the back half of a 1986 2WD truck. I would like to convert/swap the axle to accept rims with a 6 lug on 5.5 spacing. This would allow the truck & trailer wheels to swap out.
So far it seems that I need to either swap with a 4wd axle, or use a lug adapter. All the searching I've found states that the 2wd axle and parts are completely different from their 4wd variants.
I might be able to find a 4wd axle in the local yards - but I'm worried that it would provide more lift than I want. 1 to 2" would be great, but I've seen posts that the spring over config adds more like 4", versus the 2wd under slung springs. If I do find a 4wd axle, would I also need to grab the 4wd springs?
On the adapters, I'm concerned about their use in towing. I don't plan on taking the trailer off road, but I also don't want a wheel coming off on the road.
Thanks all.
Last edited by Cycles; 09-27-2015 at 11:47 AM.
#2
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
I know what I would do .
Get rid of that axle get a trailer axle that has hubs that use the 6 on 5.5 " bolt pattern
Since it is the backing plates that hold the axle the bearing carries the load .
If you don`t want to get another axle I would do what was needed to adapt that housing to the six lug axle shaft
Not having a 2wd rear housing near by I can`t see just what it would take
Looking at Napa Prolink it seems in 87 the 5 lug and 6 lug vehicles used the same wheel bearing .
Which tells me the housing are the same size so you should be able to just swap the axles.
You only need a few inches past the bearing .
The differential has been removed ??
Get rid of that axle get a trailer axle that has hubs that use the 6 on 5.5 " bolt pattern
Since it is the backing plates that hold the axle the bearing carries the load .
If you don`t want to get another axle I would do what was needed to adapt that housing to the six lug axle shaft
Not having a 2wd rear housing near by I can`t see just what it would take
Looking at Napa Prolink it seems in 87 the 5 lug and 6 lug vehicles used the same wheel bearing .
Which tells me the housing are the same size so you should be able to just swap the axles.
You only need a few inches past the bearing .
The differential has been removed ??
#3
Registered User
I don't think it is possible to use a single bearing type rear end for a trailer axle unless the whole axles are used and held in the differential carrier side gears.
It would be possible to remove the ring and pinion and seal the third member up, but the differential carrier would have to remain.
If the axles were cut off, there would nothing to keep the wheel oriented perpendicular to the axle housing. The single row outside bearing would just let the wheel cock.
Of course, if we were talking about a full floating rear end, it could be done, but thats not what the Toyota rear ends that are in question are.
A real trailer axle with 6 lug hubs is the way to go.
It would be possible to remove the ring and pinion and seal the third member up, but the differential carrier would have to remain.
If the axles were cut off, there would nothing to keep the wheel oriented perpendicular to the axle housing. The single row outside bearing would just let the wheel cock.
Of course, if we were talking about a full floating rear end, it could be done, but thats not what the Toyota rear ends that are in question are.
A real trailer axle with 6 lug hubs is the way to go.
Last edited by millball; 09-28-2015 at 08:04 AM.
#4
Registered User
I agree the best way is a trailer axle. Some 2wd differentials were 8 inch, but I remember looking into it, and I believe the shafts were slightly different lengths. I will try to find the web site link and post it. Maybe the different lengths can still work, especially in a trailer? I have used a Marlin Crawler bearing kit originally purchased for a 4x4 in a 2wd rear axle, so the bearings are the same.
You can make a smaller shackle which will lower the trailer if you swap in a 4x4 axle, but I doubt you can lower it 4 inches. I am pretty sure the springs will bolt to a 4x4 axle, but I am not 100% on that. I know people put the rear springs up front for lift, so maybe you can put front springs from a straight axle truck in the rear to lower it.
You can make a smaller shackle which will lower the trailer if you swap in a 4x4 axle, but I doubt you can lower it 4 inches. I am pretty sure the springs will bolt to a 4x4 axle, but I am not 100% on that. I know people put the rear springs up front for lift, so maybe you can put front springs from a straight axle truck in the rear to lower it.
#5
Registered User
Here is some good axle information:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...estion-230241/
It looks like the 4x4 axle is 2 inches wider, so the shaft is possibly only 1 inch? Maybe it could be cut down, especially just for a trailer?
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...estion-230241/
It looks like the 4x4 axle is 2 inches wider, so the shaft is possibly only 1 inch? Maybe it could be cut down, especially just for a trailer?
#8
Registered User
The full floater dually axle on some 1 tons and campers are 6 lug, but it is not the same bolt pattern as the 4x4 6 lug. It is a very wide pattern, 6x7.25 or something like that.
#9
Registered User
Yes i recommend a good long Google search for used trailer axle.
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