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
