I am trying to decide which to get:

Taco manual hubs, about $600 used and a Lock Right, $250 (I can do the installation)

or

An ARB with compressor, $850 (plus installation)

 

Are you talking front Jim?

I cannot imagine wheeling with an auto front locker. The thing is, I have manual hubs so I can unlock if things blow and I need to limp out without changing. I would hate to have something break in the front and still have the drive flanges turning things. At the same time, the ARB should let you be open to prevent such breakage.

I say ARB because that is what I have and they are great for being locked or open right away.

 

Are Tacoma manual hubs going for $600 used?? Or is there more than just hubs for that price? You have to buy Taco CV shafts also, correct?

 

Wow, you dug this one up, I didn't think anyone was reading anymore...How are you anyways?

I can get a set of Taco: spindles, CV's, and Hubs for about $600 used (someone who did a SAS)

But another factor that I consider lately (thanks Steve) was that I may end up having to replace bearings, or CV's, ETC. So I may be better off in the long run to just bite the bullet and get the ORS conversion kit for $1k.

 

ARB...you are just putting off the inevitable otherwise.

 

I don't know about a TT.

Half of the benefits and all of the drawbacks.

Jim, have you driven Steve's truck and played with the ARB? I think that one trip with that will make up your mind.

 

Do you have a rear locker yet? 2 lockers is a start and an MC09 is the finish, with the 4.7 gear of course.

 

Detroit TrueTrac will not work in 3rd gen or Tacomas without cutting and welding I found out from Randys R&P F-up. They are a bunch of idiots so I am taking their word cause I didn't see it. Their tech wanted me to cut my newfeild's spindles on the innerside and extend the splines. I found this out the day it was to arive in NC.
Will the spindles line up with both arms????? Also I run Newfeild Drive axles which I think are for a Tacoma so the axle shafts should work on either setup. Not too sure how the hub (Taco) acts with the drive axle (4Runner)
Try the spindles and keep me posted and I could probible find Taco spindles for dirt from a local Yota junk yard

 

I don't think the TT will get me my desired results. I don't think I will be able to keep up with the Steve's and Flyg without a front locker.

Yeah, it isn't installed yet. I got an e-locker & the front both with 4.30's from a 99'. That's why I am asking opinions. I want to do it all at once if I can.

Like Flyg says, buy once, cry once.

However, since it seems I should go ARB, I think I'll have to try 3 wheel drive for a while till I save up some more $.

 

Sell me that front gear set. You don't expect to keep up with those guys with those tiny gears do you. I bet you could use the extra $ to build it correctly with 4.88 or 5.29s
I need a front 4.30 gear set if anyone else has one......

I got cash money burning a hole right now

 

"build it correctly ", from what I have been taught the 4.10 or 4.30 are much stronger than 4.88 or 5.29. And, I don't need to kill my mileage anymore.

The keeping up is a valid argument though. However, my goal in the next 6-9 months calls for a MC09 so, I plan to keep the street gears.

With 4.30's, a stock 2.56 case and a geared 4.7 case...198 to 1 will be just fine for me.

 

Keeping up? I just hope you have this taken care of for Moab later in the year. I need someone to keep an eye on both Steve's so that all I have to do is take pics.

I like the reasoning on the crawler. Keep the stock gears if they are getting the job done. No sense in goofing with that.

I wheeled a rear True-Trac for a year or so. I got real sick of using the brakes to go forward. I just think that anything in the front should be selectable. I want either a spool or an open diff.

Steal SteveO's front diff so that he has to get a solid axle. I think that is better than any other choice listed.

 

Maybe I will have to find a D44 for the right price...and convince him to get it.

 

Keep talking...

 

Voted for ARB

I have a lock-rite installed on my ol'Taco. Liked on the trails, very much hated it on the street. Selectable is the only way to go (IMHO) for a street/trail rig.

 

I want at least one Dana 44 for my Bronco
I'll take any part for the Bronco........ I have a frame of resto in my garage that is in need of many parts

 

I'll drive to denver for free parts! I'll bring a trailer.

 

the going rate for the used taco axles and hubs is $250-$300. $600 is outrageous! i vote arb and wait for a better deal on hubs/axles.

 

I think SteveO already has a D44 housing in his parts collection...

 

Jim- don't forget I have a 5' x 10' utility trailer you can borrow...