Well, I finally started to do the install of the 79 front axle. Going good so far. Need to get spring bushings, and axle U-bolts. I put my origonal 4.10 gears in (79 has 3.90). The important thing is my new (to me) wheels fit and rotate good, clearing all obstructions (caliper, tierods, etc). I also have the brackets to put rear disks on. Just need a few more parts

 

You'll have to keep me posted, I'd be tempted to do the same to my '70. How much $$ and custom fabbing do you figure so far??

 

I drove to Canada and bought a complete set of axles from a 79 (about $350 US). I bought the trunion bearing/Axle seal set about $110. All of this bolts onto the springs as origonal. The brake lines come from the rt side on new axle, left side on old (still deciding which way to go on this, re-plumb the axle, or the truck). I used the gears from mine, as the 79 uses 3.9 gears, and the driveshaft bolt pattern is slightly different on newer gears. I bought the front calipers from a 95 4Runner ($35 Ebay), and the booster/master cyl from same ($25 Ebay). Had to make a spacer for the booster (there is a stock spacer on 4Runners, but I didn't get it with my booster). I'll have to trim the backing plates slightly to get the calipers to install, have the 40 calipers on there now.

 

Keep us posted. I have a set of 79 axles destine for my 75. Was it a big deal to switch the gears? The axles out(shafts, hubs etc.) stays 79 right? I was just going to rebuild the original disc brakes.

 

Not a big deal. I finished it several years ago. If yours was built after Feb (?) 79 it will have the larger patern steering arms.

The rear is easy. Pull the c clips, pull axles and trade diffs.

Front, you have to pull the spindles, axle shafts, and then the diff. May as well rebuild the front axle assy if you have it apart.