Axle Beef
 

What are our Toyota 4Runner axle & housings equivalent too regarding strength in the "Dana" world - ie Toyota 8"=Dana 35(??) What about the '85 front straight axle?

Lots of arguments on this one but from the info I've read, the Toyota is comparable to the Dana 44 axle. A lot of people like the 3rd member of the Toyota for easy maintenance.

Warren

dana 44 vs toyota
 

the only advantage to the dana 44 is the ring and pinion is stronger. 8.5 inch verses 8 inch. some people go with the dana 44 because they think the u-joints are stronger than the birfields.i've seen as many u joints brake as birfields on trial rides. but the dana 44's are wider that the toyota axle. the only one that is close is from the late 70's wagooners its 5" wider that toyota axle. ther 80's wagooners are real wide like a full size chevy.they are 6 lug to. so your better off to stick with the toyota axle so the tires don't stick out. you now how the PA police like pulling you over and giving a tickey for that:D

the V6 diff are very strong i have seen many dana 44 brake on the trail as the toyota rears the main reason we swap out the toyota rears is for parts availabilty and the good old bullit proof dana 60 for high hp 350s in are toys