Stupid solid axle identification question

[stelliestoy]

So, I am finally buying a solid front axle to do my s.a.s. on my 1988 "xtra runner" project (look for the thread coming soon  ) I don' t know squat about the differences between the years of Toyota solid axles but from reading here, I think I read somewhere that the '84-'85 solid axles are the most desirable for the s.a.s. so I found one... I think  . The guy that is selling the axle "thinks" it's either an '84 or '85 axle due to the gusseting across the bottom. I have searched for threads here to help me identify the difference between '79-'80(?) '81-'83(?) and '84-'85 but no such luck. My questions concerning this are:

1. Are there significant differences between the years of axles and if so, is the '84-'85 the one to have?
2. How can I positively identify this axle housing just by looking at it?

Also, he has two complete axles and one that is disassembled and in pieces. I told him that I wanted just the housing, bells and nuts/spacers off of the dissassembled axle because I'll be stuffing it with new Long. 30 splines, high pinion diff with ARB locked 5.29s, Hysteer etc. I figure,  why do I need to spend $250 on a complete axle when I won't be using most of the factory guts anyway? He will sell me the housing, bells and bearing nuts w/spacers alone for $50. Am I right to do this?

3. What other parts of the disassembled axle will I need to complete my axle? Tie rod?

Keep in mind that this is my first time tinkering with a Toyota solid axle but I have fixed a many "deuce and a half" axles back when I was in the military so it can't be that different, right?

Thanks

[NCK4L]

84-85 have a gusset that goes all the way across the bottom under the driver side spring perch therefore making it less prone to bending. You wanna make sure you get the steering knuckles and spindles as well.

[OOPS]

Here is the section from the FSM on rebuliding the front end, read through it so you will know where all the parts go.

http://www.lukemiller.org/toys/1985_toyota_4wd_front_axle_FSM.pdf

[stelliestoy]

Hey OOPS & NCK4L, thanks for the quick response! That really helped me out big time.   I'll be picking it up in a week or so. Now I have to renegotiate the price