There is steering too... If you give it enough gas to overcome the backlash, it will spool (lock) and steering will be VARY hard.

Also, breakage ensues. The axles can not rotate at different speeds and will fight themselves to get free, usually at the expense of the weakest link... A Birfield joint.

A joint is strongest if it's at 0 degree. Joints become weaker the more you turn them.

That's why LOCKERS in the front are (generally) a no-no.

It will take finesse, but you should be able to feather it around turn, ever cognisant you have a locker up front, and it negotiate the turn OK. But it will never be as smooth as having an open or limited slip up front.


And there is no such thing as a "front Aussie". They go by 7.5, 8" and Turbo/V6.

They are easy as pie to install, and your diffs are the same, front and rear.

 

this makes sense on the street. but I cant imagine dirt being able to give me the traction to break a Birfield. but i do guess its possible.

 

did u buy that truck from some guy on craigslist for like 5k?

 

yeah, i got it from craigslist about a month ago. got it just under 4,500

 

nice find

 

beautiful find. those trucks up here are either just bashed wood's buggies or rotted away. Kinda jealous, really

I was going to go whole hog on my rig, btw, lockers, SASwap, tires, blah blah blah. Right now, i'm waiting for my rear locker in the mail, going to get a winch by the end of next month, and just wheel it until I figure out where I get stuck. you've alrady been wheeling your's in terrain I don't have around here but from what i can see, you've already kept up with some very capable and built rigs. don't really think you need to break the bank on this one.

 

yeah, I cant really always keep up but pretty darn impressive for a stock truck. im looking into armoring up and driving it as is for a while.

 

put a locker in the rear, then save fro an arb for the front. that way you cna unlock it when you need to turn. if you get a locker and little armour youll be keeping up just fine. and oh my lands what a beautiful truck. dern cali guys get all teh good rust free stuff

 

not completely rust free, just takes a sharp eye to see it. and the truck looks like it was rear ended at one point so there is some weird lookin dents in the back where the bumper was smashed into the bed. but im planning on cuting that out and doing somthing like this https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...d-pics-167472/

but all around the the truck, it drives amazing and is awesome off road. other then the fact that i let the lady drive it off road, and she blew out my rear shocks. the truck is super tough.

do they make a beefer tcase cross member. I have noticed i have hit the stock little skid plate a couple of times. no damage yet. but i want to beef it up before i destroy it.

 

sweet rig man ive always wanted an 85. id do what 4x2sign said. i regret spending 2k on exhaust and tires. i guess i learned the hard way. lockers and gears should be the first thing on your list.

 

x2 on 87yotabro87's post. You'd be surprised at just how more capable that thing is if you lock it down.

If you're capable of that level of fab for a bumper, building a beefier tcase cross member is certainly within affordable reach, imo.

 

I was looking at this truck while it was up for sale. Glad you are happy with it. I bought an 85 around the same time as you and have been slowly modifying it. It pretty much came just like yours, so far ive put seats, a detroit locker in the rear, and put 4.70's in the t-case. Havent wheeled it with the new upgrades yet...looking forward to it. The truck is super capable bone stock. I did ALL of the 4x4 trails in gorman and frazier park before any of my mods. Truck climbed right through Lockwood creek and then up Miller Jeep to the top of alamo mtn bone stock(235/75/15R). Enjoy, I sure am

 

agreed, awesome little truck. I have an Aussie and my plan is to install it this Saturday. just in time for a run out to Anza with some friends for camping and wheeling.

I believe there plan is to run Pinyon Mountain in Anza borrego desert. I hope i can make it through (with no body damage) still being on 31' but i will have a locker.

 

ok, so i just spent about 6 hours reading and searching, and I found that trail gear is having a sale on there 4.7 t case gears. I have wanted to do these eventually but for a price like i may do it now. but then I noticed marlins kit is almost double. is there any difference other then the bearings that come with marlins? should I go with marlins and pay the extra? and I also looked into the dual cases. but I think i have the top shift cases and I have the bucket seats and I don't really want to cut into my center console. so the 4.70 seemed like a better option.

I tried searching but couldn't find anything telling me not to go with trail gears kit.

 

I think what I like about the TG 470 kit is the no questions asked warranty. Not many companies offer that. I love trail gear stuff. BTW, what did you pay for your rear locker and was it hard to install?

 

I paid under three with shipping to canada.

as for the install, I'll tell you tomorrow. Tonight's the first night I've had to do any serious work to the truck. Don't imagine it'll be hard. Tomorrow'll likely be spent on the local offroad Area before I hit any trails with it.

the only difference is from what i can read the bearings. call a couple parts places (toyota, napa, etc) and find out what those bearings are worth and maybe even have them on hand and check the bearings when it's apart (if you need 'em, use 'em, if you don't take 'em back). It may still end up in your favour dollarwise. Would I do it without the bearings? meh, depends on my mood. Most of me says "take it apart once" the rest of me says "I can always fix it later ..." but i have access to lift, air tools, and full service manuals and etc etc etc
For someone who came in my shop asking? definitely change the bearings. I only get paid to do the job once.

anyone reading have experience in changing these? would you recommend the bearings?

 

yeah thats what im looking for. is it worth it to by the TG set and then just get some bearings from any autoparts place, or is Marlins Bearing and gears worth the price?

 

wow man props on the pic that is really cool

 

thanks, the head lights weren't even on, my buddy walked into the frame and a mag light into the lights to give it the effect.

not really cheating IMO

 

Aussie Locker installed! Wheels amazing, super quiet and locks when you need it. wheeled it today and I felt unstoppable.

Thanks so much guys, a Locker is by far the best thing to do first.

All smiles here!