Anybody use a FJ60/62 axle for SAS?

[Menace Kustoms]

So, the crawling bug has bit me, badly. I really want a SAS for my rig, the IFS is just too limiting when compared to what the rear end is capable of. I'm not scared of the fab work, because if I get in over my head, I know some people that can help me out. My problem is I'm new to this 4WD thing. I've always had Pre-Runner and Desert Racer styled trucks in the past.

Now, I looked at Trail Gears SAS kit for Tacomas, but man it's a lot of money. Nice parts, don't get me wrong, just a lot of dough. So I started thinking of other axle solutions. FJ80 Land Cruisers are way too wide, 63.5", in the front. FJ60/62s are only 53.5" or so, much closer to our track width.

I'm not sure of all of the changes though that would be needed. Obviously, a new driveshaft and spring perches and bracing and such. But, what else? Or is there another axle that's more tried and true?

 

[UnderFire]

I'm pretty sure the 60 Series axles were passenger's side drop, so you would need to change the transfer case, and you would also need to figure out steering as well, I'm no expert on SAS's, some guys that may be able to answer SAS questions are [MENTION=56044]downpour11[/MENTION] ; [MENTION=60500]Urb[/MENTION]AN_ASSAULT ; [MENTION=97005]slowpoke99[/MENTION] ; [MENTION=51127]Dous[/MENTION] ; [MENTION=62048]thardy[/MENTION] ; and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.

 

[white_n_slow]

FJ60 axle is good an beefy, but the brakes are crap. Also, it is a driver-drop axle, so you would need to convert to an older style transfer case or dual cases. Other than that, should be pretty straight forward: burn in some leaf spring perches, high steer (commercially available), reinforce front frame rails and mount up a conventional steering box. The axle will definitely need a cut and turn to maintain reasonable caster and pinion angle... or you might be able to get away with a high angle driveshaft, but CnT would be the more direct route.

:edit: also worth mentioning, probably worth getting longfield axles if running 35" or larger tires.

I wouldn't shy away from FZJ80 axles for the width as much as for the funky steering setup. Requires aftermarket knuckles to work with leaf spring or high steer, and those are $$$$

 

[snow junky]

Waggy Dana 44 or custom axle housing are kinda the only good option

Don't expect to spend under 2G even doing the work yourself

I did the sky offroad kit French shackle kit ($2500) and it was still missing tons of parts like driveshaft and transmission crossmember

It would have been cheaper and easier to just buy another 2nd gen and do a sas.

 

[Menace Kustoms]

I've heard that guys swap the knuckles from side to side, and FROR makes a brake adaptor kit to retain the Tacoma style brakes that we have, so that should eliminate a couple issues. I also heard that the 3.0L transmission bolts up to the 3.4L to help with the transfer case issues. $2000 is palatable, but the Trail Gear kit is like $5000 for all the stuff, not including coil overs.

 

[downpour11]

Full width 89 F350 kingpin 60 front, 35 spline outers, ARB, 5.38's.

14 bolt rear, ARB, 5.38's

3 link front, leafs with trac bar or link the rear.

39"-42" of flavor.

Atlas or Inchworm Lefty

or Marlin dual ultimates with a chevy 60 front

Lots of fab work.

Lots of fun.


FJ80 axles are very strong though...but I like the width of a 60. That's what she said.


Start here: www.pirate4x4.com

And no, TG stuff isn't nice. Unless you like breaking cheap stuff and replacing it with cheap stuff.

If you're looking at a "kit", even though it won't entirely work for our 4runners, talk to Brian at 4wheelunderground.

 

[shootmymime]

Solid Axle SAS 85 FJ60 - complete w/ rotors calipers everything needed. Both axl

 

[Menace Kustoms]

Dang, my sister lives in Bozeman and my parents are going up there for thanksgiving!

 

[IBallEngineer]

Not sure where you got the idea that 60/62 series axles are that narrow. They are 3" narrower than an 80 series. I have 80 series axles in my 62, and I have the old front axle sitting in my garage, want it for free? No 3rd member though, at least not one worth anything. No hubs either.

 

[shootmymime]

Dang, my sister lives in Bozeman and my parents are going up there for thanksgiving!

im 3 hrs south

 

[IBallEngineer]

FJ60 axle is good an beefy, but the brakes are crap. Also, it is a driver-drop axle, so you would need to convert to an older style transfer case or dual cases. Other than that, should be pretty straight forward: burn in some leaf spring perches, high steer (commercially available), reinforce front frame rails and mount up a conventional steering box. The axle will definitely need a cut and turn to maintain reasonable caster and pinion angle... or you might be able to get away with a high angle driveshaft, but CnT would be the more direct route.

:edit: also worth mentioning, probably worth getting longfield axles if running 35" or larger tires.

I wouldn't shy away from FZJ80 axles for the width as much as for the funky steering setup. Requires aftermarket knuckles to work with leaf spring or high steer, and those are $$$$

Yes the brakes suck, but mostly the 60 series brakes were limited by the antiquated rear drums, and the master cylinder bore size. Upgrading to an FZJ80 master makes a huge difference. Also the 3rd gen doesn't weigh in quite so high. Still the reason I went to 80 series axles was as much the brakes as the high pinion and added width. Of course the full floater didn't hurt. I made custom flat top knuckles and arms for the 80 front axle, wasn't cheap, for the 62 axle I welded two steering arms together with one upside down, reversed the taper for the tie rod end. Much easier and cheaper, but you better know your welding, we preheated and TIG welded, not for an amateur.
Don't waste your money on longfields, I have run 35's for 17 years on the stock axles in both styles. And I've used ARB lockers all 17 years and I weigh 7K. Another month and it becomes 18 years.

:couch2:

 

[Menace Kustoms]

I'd love to come down there and pick that axle up. I'd like to talk to someone who knows what they're doing. Knowledge is probably what I'm lacking most.

 

[white_n_slow]

Don't waste your money on longfields, I have run 35's for 17 years on the stock axles in both styles. And I've used ARB lockers all 17 years and I weigh 7K. Another month and it becomes 18 years.

:couch2:

I have broken a birf on 33's in a high-traction environment (Moab) in my '85 FJ60, which is why I mentioned it. With my new FJ62 (also ARB locked in the front), I've noticed it is a lot easier to go light on the throttle and have managed to keep wheelspin and "hopping" pretty minimal compared to my FJ60. Maybe it's the auto... it's my first automatic wheeling rig, which has been a real eye opener for me.

 

[downpour11]

Don't waste your money on longfields

Especially the "new awesome re-branded super strong" longs from TG lol

I was on the phone with RCV a couple months ago and conversation went into the axle breakage tester with the TG longs and he said it was comical to say the least.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I have broken a birf on 33's in a high-traction environment (Moab) in my '85 FJ60, which is why I mentioned it. With my new FJ62 (also ARB locked in the front), I've noticed it is a lot easier to go light on the throttle and have managed to keep wheelspin and "hopping" pretty minimal compared to my FJ60. Maybe it's the auto... it's my first automatic wheeling rig, which has been a real eye opener for me.

Yes, unless you are ULTRA low geared, Autos win in the crawling world. I've dreamed of transfer case mods, but I've never had the gumption. Thought seriously about an ATLAS, but the offset rear is an issue. I'm not hardcore, and it works as is, guess I'll build a 3rd gen eventually.

eace: