Ok guys, what should i look for when picking up a solid axle from a junkyard? found one from an 83 for 200 bucks, still has the aisin hubs and all, any help is appreciated, thanks in advance

 

that sounds like a good deal. to get a newer one from someone else the shipping would be expensive. the only difference between that one and a 84-85 one is the gusset. i'd get it while the gettings good. just check the bearings first at the steering knuckle they cost $130 from NWOR for the kit. if you geta 84 -85 yoke to put on it your drive shaft will even fit or you just have to redrill the holes in the yoke. 83 and older ones used smaler bolts

 

I put an 82 front end on my 94 4Runner. I did go with the Bobby Long joints to replace the birfields. I broke one quite early.

I also recommend doing a complete rebuild. At a minimum new seals. Tearing it apart and rebuilding it is a good way to learn how it all goes together, and comes apart. It's better to learn it all in the garage than on the trail.

All pro offers a truss for the older front ends if you don't get the 84-85. I haven't done anything with mine and I'm running 37" tires.

$200 is a good price for a complete front end. I paid $900 for mine, with 5.29 gears, a lock-rite locker and an Allpro crossover steering setup.

 

it would be getting a total rebuild, as i work at a large ford dealership, i know the rear end and tranny guys and ill have one of them do all my gear/locker installs while im doing the bearings,
seals, brakes, etc, first i gotta get it home, and clean all the rust off the housing.....will my ifs hubs (the lockout part) fit the solid axle? they look the same, but the hubs on the SFA are all silver with a blue knob and mine are silver/black/red, thanks a lot guys

ps... steering knuckle bearings? how do i check those to make sure they're good?

josh-fla

 

The steering knuckle bearings are usually replaced as part of a knuckle rebuild kit, which also comes with new gaskets.

The IFS hubs will not fit the solid axle hubs, The outer portion is the same, the inner portion with the splines, does not. Different number of splines.

 

$105 from AllPro including the knuckle bearings, can be had cheaper from Man-A-Fre.

 

ok, so how do i actually check the bearings? and are they difficult to replace? and how much are my ifs hubs worth if i decide to sell them? or maybe sell all the ifs stuff ?

 

If you go to the effort of pulling the bearings apart, go to the expense of replacing them. They're at least 20 year old..

You old Aisin Hubs are probably worth $50 each if they're in good shape.

The IFS stuff is good for paper weights...

You can probably get a few bucks for the out axles (about $25 - $40 each). The housing can be worth some money to someone who's damaged theirs, but that's about it. Your long inner axle may have some value as this does frequently break if you have ADD.

 

the only thing on that axle that im not going to replace is the hubs and the housing and carrier... other than that, all new seals, bearings etc so its all good
thanks for all yer help guys

 

The knuckle bearings come with most any good rebuild kit anyways so just replace them regardless. The wheel bearings are a check and see what they look like kind of deal. If not discolored or pitted, run 'em.

 

ok, so ive pretty much decided that since the 83 front axle is not as wide as my 87 rear, im going to run the frontrangeoffroadfab
wide axle kit.... so i guess i'll just sell everything from the knuckles in...