Topic: FJ60/FJ62 axle for SAS

[80YOTA4X4]

Has anyone done a sas on a tacoma or 3rd gen 4runner using one of these axles? I want to keep my 98 4runner all toyota and decided the mini truck axle would not work for me because of its width. I figured I could use the FJ60 axle and run 1inch spacers and be able to match the rear width of my 4runner axle. I have rebuilt knuckles already from my mini truck axle so that is another reason for using the FJ60 axle since the knuckles are the same.
 I am using my gear drive case from the 1980 to convert my 4runner to passenger side drop with marlins adapter.

What are your thoughts about my idea?

[bigarms23]

a guy i know did that same swap to his 964runner 3yrs ago and its still holding up

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

Do you have any pics or info on how he did his setup? Like what springs?? Did he do a spring under or spring over?? What tcase did he use?? Thanks for any info.

[whokrz]

I think it is a good axle and the 9.5 differential should hold up to longs better than a v6 or hi-pinion. I have heard that the rear elocker differential in a fj80 will fit in the fj60 with slight modification. If you look long enough you can find them in junk yards for not to much. The only draw back to these axles is that you decrease ground clearance by about 1 inch.

Your rear differential and axle shafts would be the weak link if you like the skinny pedal. If you end up breaking your rear axle you could always build a full floating diamond axle with a fj80 rear differential, disk brakes, and use the fj80 factory e-brake. Here is a good read on what I am talking about it is under a fj cruiser http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=704382 and it also has side by side comparison of a mini truck differential and a 9.5 differential.

Here is Zuks take on the 9.5 vs 8.4 tacoma differential http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=59683.0;topicseen

A pair of 9.5 would make a strong set of axles, getting a lot closer to 1ton strength than the mini truck axles can due to their small differentials.

Hope this helps you out.

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

thanks for the links and info.

[whokrz]

Your welcome.
I will be upgrading to a 9.5 front and rear in a few years I am currently saving money.
As you can see there is not a lot of information on a fj60 sas. If you decide to use the fj60 in your swap could you please do a write up on it. Also if you come across more information on it could you please post it.
Thanks

[bigarms23]

did a 84 fj60 front axle with longfields with your typical sas and he used his dual tcases from his mini truck and in front he has tg 3inch springs and the rear has marlins 4inch springs with 35 mtrs and 488s but hes running dual arbs as well

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

Your welcome.
I will be upgrading to a 9.5 front and rear in a few years I am currently saving money.
As you can see there is not a lot of information on a fj60 sas. If you decide to use the fj60 in your swap could you please do a write up on it. Also if you come across more information on it could you please post it.
Thanks

I am going to do the swap with the fj60 axle. I have the trail flex kit with 4 inch springs from marlin for the 79-95 toys. I was going to use it on the 1980 project I had but I can't afford more than one project at a time. So the 4runner won. I have a fj80 forward arm steering box. I am ordering a tacoma sas kit from front range and going to combine it with the marlin kit to do my swap. I have everything to do the swap with the exception of the money for lockers and regearing. I can do that later. I will definitely post pics when I get started.

I am not sure how high my truck will sit If I do a spring over setup. I would like to keep it around the same height that I have it now or maybe 2-3 inches higher max. If I do a spring under I am not sure if the high steer setup will clear the frame. From what I read I don't think the spring under will work.

[whokrz]

When I did my sas on my 4runner with the mini axle I only had 2.5 inches of lift in suspension using rears up front, I was trying to keep it low for better center of gravity.
2.5" suspension, 2" body and 31" tires


My drag link would make contact with the passenger side of the frame when I dropped the driver side tire. This was caused by the knuckle wanting to go higher than the frame. This problem should be slightly worse with the fj60 axle because it is a little wider.



To correct the problem and keep my high steer I had to lift the suspension another 1.5 inches and extend the bump stop. The other option was to notch my frame which I didn't want to do because it is a daily driver and I was worried about stress cracks.
4" suspension, 2" body lift and 31" tires


Even though I used a different axle I brought this up because the knuckles are the same.
If you did spring over on the fj60 and had 4" of suspension lift it should look similar to the picture with 2.5" suspension, 2" body and 31" tires.
It looks like you have about 2" of lift in you picture so I think another 2-3 inches higher should be fine and still clear the high steer.

If I am missing something here hopefully 80YOTA4X4 will let us know, also 80YOTA4X4 do you have any pictures or links to the fj60 sas

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

Thanks for the detailed pics and description. I don't have any info or links to actual fj60 swaps. All I can find is mini axles and the dana 44 jeep axle. This guy on pirate used a similar kit to marlins and a mini axle. I have sent him messages for a couple questions I had but never heard anything from him. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459214&highlight=4runner+2wd+sas Even with the spacers the mini axle just doesn't look right under the bigger 4runners and tacomas.

My 4runner is currently lifted 3inches front and 4 in the rear.

here is the one from pirate

[whokrz]

I found the pictures I have been looking for


Here is a link to the rest http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1731607

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

Thanks whokrz. I will sign up over there at tacoma territory and ask a few questions. I hope he doesn't mind. I pretty much have a good idea of how everything will play out. I just need to know what he did for his exhaust.

[demasters]

I'm doing the same swap with the FJ60. I think It's going to work real nice.

[demasters]

The only problem so far is one u bolt. It doesnt fit near the diff

[whokrz]

Are you going to have a custom u-bolt made or did you happen to find a kit?

[whokrz]

For the rear axle another way to get a 9.5 differential, factory disk brakes, and a full floating axle besides a diamond is to have a housing modified. Here is a thread I found on pirate http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585339 He is using long side shafts and modifying the short side for 67" wide. Using short side shafts, modifying the long side and running 1.5" wheel spacers should be around 60" wide. This would be much cheaper than a diamond housing.

[baja dan]

what do you do for the steering i have a 97 4runner 4x4 v6  and its rack and pinion?? i know youll use  a hy steer system but im talking about from the steering wheel to pump?

[80YOTA4X4 [OP]]

what do you do for the steering i have a 97 4runner 4x4 v6  and its rack and pinion?? i know youll use  a hy steer system but im talking about from the steering wheel to pump?

This is the exact setup I have and going to use http://sonoransteel.com/Custom_Steering_Shafts.html

[meridian]

I used an HJ60 axle from an 87 wagon. Since the wagon had a diesel the axle came trussed from the factory. The front springs are from the 60 and I added a leaf in between the 3rd and 4th. Also used the cruiser steering box and kept slightly ahead of the axle allowing the drag to keep close to the tierod. With a set of 4 degree shims it is keeping the bump steer to a minimum. I will cut and turn the knuckles when the longs and arb go in.