I successfully blew my Rack+pinion - going to buy FZJ80 front axle this weekend.

i just happened to find a nice lexus lx450 front axle assembly for an excellent price.... and I figured i'd rather go as stock as possible. i would love to use the mini truck axle off an 84-85, but those are designed for leafs, and im striving for the least amount of fab work, not because i dont want to do it, just because i want to leave everything the way it was originally on the axle. I think it will work out just fine...

check out this hilux:

View topic - Hilux Coil SAS, Lexus V8 - Coil Rear Complete! | Australian 4WD Action

thats pretty slick.

i still think leaves would be easier tho.
but, if you can make that work, well done.
 
Get the front adapter from Marlin there were issues when I got mine in 2003 and he fixed them all.

Finally a new rack is going to be a lot cheaper. It's only money right?
 
What are you going to do to match the spring? Have front springs made or lift it in the rear or cut in to the inner fenders and move the mounts up?

In like the idea but I don't think it's a realistic one weekend swap unless your a skilled fab guy with good resources.
 
thats pretty slick.

i still think leaves would be easier tho.
but, if you can make that work, well done.

Leaf springs are not a good idea unless you go to the Hellfire knuckles to get high steer because there is no good steering solution. I started out with leafs and quickly learned that was not going to work.
 
It's not the rack now that's the issue. Got that. The idiots that got it gave me the one w the 4cyclinder pressure tube attached. Which is half as long. And I can't get the flare nut to bust loose to save my life. It's now rounded and I really don't have an option but to cut the tube close to the ok rounded nut. I M thinking if I get a flaring tool I should be able to cut old tube and re flare the tube to reuse. Any thoughts appreciated
 
It's not the rack now that's the issue. Got that. The idiots that got it gave me the one w the 4cyclinder pressure tube attached. Which is half as long. And I can't get the flare nut to bust loose to save my life. It's now rounded and I really don't have an option but to cut the tube close to the ok rounded nut. I M thinking if I get a flaring tool I should be able to cut old tube and re flare the tube to reuse. Any thoughts appreciated


That's where i've always wanted a set of these:

BSS-10mm.gif


Butterfly Socket 10mm/3/8" BSS1038

luckily I haven't had to deal with the rusted stuck issue as much in recent years.
 
do you guys not get the KZJ 71-78 prado landcruisers over there?

01w.jpg


solid front and coiled i used it as a base in mine along with kzj95 rear diff

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That's where i've always wanted a set of these:

BSS-10mm.gif


Butterfly Socket 10mm/3/8" BSS1038

luckily I haven't had to deal with the rusted stuck issue as much in recent years.

the crazy part....there was zero rust. it was just seized.


------I did switch out the rack. It took all weekend long. I am sure that the next time i do front end steering work, it will involve a plasma cutter and a solid front axle. I have vowed never to do this again. it was terrible, nasty, tiring, and flat out boring. to top it all off, the junkyard sent a rack that was out of the 4cyl tacoma, and the high pressure line was not in tact. that's why i struggled so much with the old flare nut on the steering rack (that was still on the vehicle) . . . I was trying to save myself from pulling the line.

I did have to purchase another high pressure line from advance (now way in hell was i paying 288$ for that form Toyota)...installed that, bled system, alignment appt on wed.

On a positive note, my friend bought an 85 4runner on saturday, so now i get to help him blow all his extra money...he's already bought a detroit for the rear and an aussie for the front.
 
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The down side to the mini axle is they are way too narrow IIRC 55" which means your looking at 2" spacers and the birfields are much smaller than the 80 axle. IMHO the 80 series axle is a much better choice.

Show us some pics man.:hungry:


I know you already have yours rolling on an 80 axle right?
 
radius arms dont use upper links, correct? and if thats true couldn't we use them in the rear in order to have longer links for better flex and not have to relocate our fuel tank?...
 
radius arms dont use upper links, correct? and if thats true couldn't we use them in the rear in order to have longer links for better flex and not have to relocate our fuel tank?...

That would be cool but I think since the rear axle sees most of the torque it would cause issues in handling. I can't wrap my head around it right now but it just sounds wrong if that makes any sense.
 
is that not the same axle that the FZJ80 has? the Lexus LX450 also has the same axle....

do you know what axle code it is?

They have same high pinion diff I think.

KZJ's 70 to 79 Series are narrower than a 80 Series.

Narrower base = narrower axles = better for SAS conversion 3rd gen 4Runners.
 
coildiff2.jpg~original


this is the prado kzj78 front diff assembly they are narrower than the LC80/fj80 by quiet a bit i used this accompanied by the IFS hub swap that brought it out 25-30mm each side to bring it inline with the rear diff.
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