Topic: Newby needs help with rear axle issues...

[Adventure Copán]

Ok so I am turning a 2006 4door Tundra 4.7L 4x4 into a expedition vehicle. I was told by a mechanic at my Toyota dealership that you guys could help. I am reaching the limit of my 1/2 axle on my Tundra with everything I have on it and need to swap the rear axle with a 1ton (Chevy) and I need some advice... Anybody done this yet? Please help!!!
I'm at your mercy
Daniel

[junya92toy]

You break anything yet? My "1/2 ton" axle is really a one ton.

[Adventure Copán [OP]]

No no breaking yet, but the deal is this rig is heading to Honduras were our new company will be and I wanna get all the possible bugs worked out before we ship it there.  run bugs!
Newby...Daniel

[Adventure Copán [OP]]

I'll post pics tomorrow when I can take some photos in the daylight. 
Daniel

[80yote]

dealer has no solution,other than swapping ,seems like a lot of work,why not fix what u have and welcome aboard

[Slolyfe]

"Reaching the limit?" What are you doing with it? I would load the sh*t out of my Tacoma, then throw a trailer on it and towed 1000's of miles. Never had a problem other than getting up to speed.

[theslayer85]

Well the answer all depends on how much work you want to do.  You could go cromoly axle shafts and that would strengthen it up, but may cost alot.  If you are going to be wheeling and abusing the crap out of it then you might want to go to a 1 ton, as they are stock they are stronger than an upgraded 1/2 ton axle.  A dana 60 or a chevy 14 bolt are pretty much the choices.  A chevy 14 bolt is nearly indistructable but heavy.  My buddy picked up a 14 bolt for a few hundred dollars so they are cheap and also cheap to set up.  A dana 60 is a little more expensive.  However you would need to do the math and reasurch to make sure the gear sets available for the new rear axle would match what you already have up front.  Also if you go to a one ton they are generally 8 lug bolt pattern which would also not match your front.  I think they did have 6 lug one ton axles (which would explain why the dealership said swap in a chevy rear end because they are 6 lug), I haven't needed to go that big yet so I haven't looked into it to much.  The one ton also may be quite a bit wider than stock so it may track different.  One last thing is getting spare parts for a chevy rear end in honduras may be harder. 

[Rocksurfer]

Is the Tundra a C channel frame like the new Taco's? Not the best set up for offroad..... just ask a Jeep owner about that.

[Tofudude]

how about a trailer? should spread the load out

[Slolyfe]

how about a trailer? should spread the load out

But then your stuck at 55 mph and have 2+ more tires to worry about.

[clifford91]

I think the 6 lug 14 bolt that's refered to is the semi-float axle. I don't think the full float 14 bolt came in 6 lug. The ring diameter on the semi-float is 1" smaller than the full-float that most guys run as well. I have a semi-float 14 bolt under my 91 suburban, it's 8 lug but I've seen it in 6 lug. Never seen a full float 14 bolt in 6 lug though. If you're not too worried about breaking it on the trail the semi-float is still a good axle, it's just not as easy to replace shafts on the trial. Full float you can do without removing the wheel, pending your style of hubcaps.

If you're a "right foot" kind if wheeler, it would do you justice to keep spare shafts, regardless of what axle you run. But if you're more of the finess kind than either 14 bolt, or a D60 that have been up'd would do you good.