I have a 96 4runner that came with an e-locker and abs. I bent the housing this weekend and I am considering getting the trail gear rock assult housing; however I am not 100% clear which shafts are the correct ones. I know that the Tacomas & 4runners had two different lengths, I am getting conflicting info on if it was the e-locker version or the ABS version that made it longer. Trail gear informed me that the housing is exactly 2" longer than the IFS rears. Can somebody help me determine which are the correct ones.

 

I assume you're trying to reuse the parts?

Here's the deal - the way your truck is built, and the trails/obstacles you run, you NEED a full floating rear axle. Seriously - you break an axle shaft (especially due to a bent housing) and the bearing will break and the wheel will not stay on. You will be VERY hard pressed to fix this on the trail, and will likely tear up something more expensive or difficult to fix trying to limp out that way.

Long story short - now's your opportunity to upgrade to FF, and you're gonna need new axle shafts for that.

 

I have been seriously considering a FF for the past year.. I knew something like this was bound to happen; especially without a single problem/replacement for 4 years; however with needing a new housing I am not sure if I will be purchasing the FF this year.. I do a lot of mild wheeling during hunting season and I want it driveable by then so I am trying to weigh my options and figure out shaft lengths to see if I can possibly reuse my existing shafts untill the end of October and also have them as trail spares when I do upgrade or is the FF kit and similar Tacoma Housing upgrades a different size?

 

E-locker has nothing to do with axle length. They are same length with or without locker.

Difference would be in the ABS.

 

Thanks.. Most places sell axles that are for the Tacoma, but there isn't any specifics on size. Are all of the Tacoma rears the same size unlike the 4runner and if so are they the same as the 4runner with ABS or without.

 

Tacomas and 4Runners use the same axles. All you have to do is match ABS or non. However, you will run into a difference in the backing plates. Tacomas and 4Runners use different backing plates IIRC.

 

If you need a new housing anyways, why don't you get one built for the FF, then all you need "extra" are the brake parts (but then you get discs, which is an advantage by itself!)

 

I have just been trying to make sure that the housing that I was looking at is the same setup / length as the FF kit, but I can't get definate answers. I have decided to just pick up a 86-95 IFS rear from a yard and FF it sooner instead of buying a beefed up housing. If I bend the next one with the FF I can get it home and then look into a stronger housing.

 

Well, while you got it out, truss it up a little bit. You have a big advantage in that you know which way the last one bent and can truss specifically to prevent that...

 

I ordered some protection for it last night and I plan on trussing it as much as possible where this one bent.

 

How and where did the housing bend? just curious......

 

It bent right at the outside edge of the spring perch. It will be hard to truss there, but I am going to try to add some small gussets from the perch to the tube closest to the tire on the next one.

 

Could you do a triangular brace from the square bearing flange back along the axle?

Might want to give Brian at Front Range a call and talk it over with him - he's great at that stuff! (Of course, he'll probably try to sell you a diamond housing while he's at it)