So for some reason its very difficult to find a write up or guide referring to the removal and installation of a 3rd member for a front solid axle truck. Plenty of IFS fronts and rear swaps but no SA fronts. My truck is a 1985 ext cab SA. Im swappin my 5.29 diff in and would like to be able to read and see as much about it as possible before I do it because I absolutely hate toyota front axles. Nightmares to work with in my opinion.
Anyways my question, does anyone have a guide/write-up on removing and installing a front solid axle 3rd member?
Also, i do not plan on using any new gaskets or anything besides repacking my bearings. Is it required or highly recommended to get a rebuild kit or something for swapping a 3rd?
Thanks for any info and help

 

Did you not search google? Plenty of info out there. Pretty much like a combo of doing rear axle and front ifs if you've done/read up on those before.

Here's one: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...nd/solid_axle/

 

If you hate toyota axles, than your doing something wrong. These things are a piece of cake. The factory service manual is a good thing to have too, and can be found all over the web as a free download.

Do this to each side, then pull the shafts. Unbolt the drive shaft and 3rd and pull. This is the "fast way" and you dont have to re set wheel bearing preload or anything.

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Good time to change inner axle seals while your in there. A lot of the gaskets are paper, and might tare when you take them apart.

 

What they said^^ Toy axles are pretty easy to work on

 

I know i can do it but my main concern is all the gaskets and paper gasket things. Are these readily available at local parts stores or can you just throw down some rtv and call it good? And also torque specs throughout the axle, 100% necessary to torque to specs or just make it tight?