Personally, I wouldnt use the 80 front axle.  On mine I widened a fj-60 axle to match the rear.   If your wanting the high pinion the have a diamond made up and use a currie high 9 or stronger.  Ive seen several toy 8hps break and the 80 steering knuckles suck!

yeah i know you dont like the 80 fronts, but I dont have access to an fj60 front.   the knuckles are a pain, but I will figure it out.  I would love to go diamond and high 9, but that requires alot more cash than what I have!  I'm trying to make some upgrades and not completely blow the budget ya know.

It is going forward.  As long as you never have to back up under load or pull someone back it's very tough.  I blew a cryoed Precision Gear 4.88 ring gear on the front of my 80 going forward even!  I will do the Diamond/High 9 in my 80 soon as I like to play with out worry of POP!  The rear 80 diff is a beast!  The only real weak link in the rear is the e-locker.  New parts are nearly unobtanium and if you put a twist on the long splined short side it is a mutha to get out!  I'm running a Detroit with short splined Poly axles in the 80 rear on my FJ-40.

You also have to remember that you blew a front r+p in your cruiser which is at least 2000lbs heavier than my runner!  the axles im getting are non e-locker, so I wont have to worry about the rear splines. both the front and rear will be getting full spool.

Whats his name on Pirate was developing a new CNC knuckle wasn't he? to cure that problem

Yeah i think his name is billybob13.   Apparently he said the knuckles were supposed to be available like a year ago, but they are still not out.  I should check pirate for updates on that.

Dang I though the 80 was strong?

the birfs are bigger and its high pinion, thats the main benefit of the front.  The knuckles are weaker than mini truck because they dont have as many studs holding the steering arms on.