Alright so I broke a Brifield last weekend. I have never replaced one before and I don't have very much money to spend. I run 35's and I have 5.71's so I know I need a strong one. but for right now I just want to get back to driving off of my schools campus. So I am looking to spend under 100 bucks.

Here are the options I am thinking.


As far as going cheap which one is a better deal,

the marlin crawler - http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/axles.htm

Marfield UM-05 Birfield Joints


or the Allprooffroad.com -- http://www.allprooffroad.com/index.p...ask=view&id=83

Profields

 

You've broke a Birf - it's time to go Longfield... Replace it with another Birf and it will end up broken. Just go lonfield and be done with it. May be more money now, but a lot less in the long run.

 

could I just replace one side at a time.

 

look into smurfields...

 

I have the exact sime tire size and gear ratio. I am suprised i have not brocken a burf yet. I carry spares though for now. I will go to longfields at some point, however longfields don't help when your burf is broken on the trail. After you fix it (with whatever) definitally carry a spare. I actually just went junkyard hopping for my spares. Ask around.

Oh and my 2 cents go with Marlin, and not all pro.

 

FYI: You need to get that birf changed out ASAP! It will wear grooves and pit the bell if you drove on it after it was broken in 4WD.

Profields aren't worth a damn..

I would go in this order:

Longfield
CV Unlimited
Smurfield

 

You can really mess up your inner housing/bell if you dont get it changed out before driving again. You dont want Profields. For that price range, look into Smurfields, they should be plenty strong enough to run 35s.

Bellfields from Marlin are also another good product, otherwise step up to chromo longfields if you plan to run bigger tires in the future.

 

How do Bob Long-treated stock birfs compare, strengthwise, to smurfields, marfields, profields, etc? Is it worth getting them treated or should you just buy one of the other types?

 

That question has been the subject of long, brutal discussions on the Pirate board. You may want to do some searches over there.

 

Still no search feature over there and I don't know how/can't find the link to use google.

 

Here is some good reading...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ight=smurfield
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ight=smurfield

 

Simply put, don't bother with anything but the 30 spline Longfields, those things are very strong. Here's a link to them being tested in his axle machine, the force needed to snap them is similar to the strength of a stock Dana 60 axle.

Profields are JUNK! no more needed to say about them........

 

That is great to say, "only buy longs" but the simple fact is that most people looking for a little extra beef on a low budget won't be doing that. I may eventually, but for now, I just plan to get my spares treated, swap them in, and get the other pair treated. Buying axles that cost just a little shy of what I paid for the whole rig is not exactly in my budget. Just getting my truck to the point that I can run 36's is more than my budget, hahaha, not that I plan to let that stop me.

ONLY WHEEL ON DANA 60's! Nothing else is worth it!

 

sweet guys just got bought a longfield 27 spline. I'll just replace the driver side right now and when the right one brakes I will replace it.

 

Nice thing is that ALL of the new Longfield axles have a lifetime warranty against breakage. You only have to buy them once.

 

I only broke 1 birfield in the 2 yrs of 4wheeling my 83 Toyota... and it had Dual Tcases, 5.29s, Locked F&R, 36" swampers, EFI motor, etc. Those axles are plenty strong stock and can take lots of abuse, but not stupid wheeling. I didn't break the birf rock crawling either... It was from lots of wheel spin, hopping the front end, at full wheel crank (ie stupid). That being said: the longfield chromoly birfs/axles are incredible. If you are going to spend $$ go that route.