The old wide rear Hilux axle was running 1.5" wheel spacers on both sides. One of the biggest reasons why I hated the wheel spacers is that my whole drum brakes and axle backing plate was totally exposed, and I continually hit them on rocks. It got so bad last summer that I had to take pliers and screw drivers every time I got off the trail to bend the backing plate away from the drums.

I am so glad they are now tucked up within the wheels.

Also, the keen eye should have noticed I now have white steel wheels. I sold the mag wheels I had to blane525 and these were just some wheels he had sitting around he let me borrow for a while. They are 15x8.

So, for a width comparison,

Old Axle + 1.5" wheel spacers = 61.5-inches wheel-mount to wheel-mount.
New Tacoma axle with NO spacers = 62".

So I have gained about 1/4" on each side without wheel spacers, which is just great. This is exactly the width I am looking for.

As for the E-Brake, the Taco e-brake ran down from the driver's side frame rail, whereas the Hilux is on the passenger's side frame rail. So I had to torch off the Taco e-brake mounts and I'll need to move them to the other side. Still haven't done this yet

As for the "weaker" Tacoma housing, it will not be a concern for me since I am not using U-Bolts