Topic: Toyota vs. One Ton Axle Setup what 's your opinion?

[lostbuckaroo]

Hey guys I'm sure this has been talked about to death but, being relatively new I wanted more opinions.

I'm planning a new build on a 93 4runner... The runner will be linked all the way around, coil overs, etc. I plan on keeping it road worthy, and registered although it won't be a daily driver. I know i wlil build custom bumpers, and possibly a full exo or some sort of exo/internal roll cage combo.. I'm still debating on tire size, and I'm leaning toward doing a 3.4 engine swap. Will also being doing full hydro or hydro assist from PSC

Now to the questions.

I currently have an 84' Truck with 5.29's, wider 4runner axle , spooled rear, spartan and RCV's up front, high steer,  Stock Knuckles and everything outward is stock.
I also have a new Ruff stuff housing which I had planned on using in the 84' but I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet due to the new 4runner project.

Given all that's said above - Would you stick with the toyota axles or would you go with tons on the runner?

I'm planning on a slower build on the 4runner.. so I will be wheeling the 84 till it's done.
Thanks in advance.

[Snowtoy]

What type of wheeler are you, skill and finesse, or throttle jockey?

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

I'm definitely not a throttle jockey.... I will use the throttle if necessary but I'd rather pic lines carefully and crawl..

[Willard]

I would go with tons man. They look so good with the full widths. Kinda like a preymantice hope I spelled that right  . Both are just as expensive to build. Why not go bigger. You might kick yourself in the  Later if you change your mind......just my  .

[twistedtoy92]

Do tons on the runner.

[1985CRAWLER]

ive owned both setups under a runner, and ill say if its gonna be more of a trail rig, do tons, but be prepared to spend some coin on them, having a built set if toyota axles will also be just as strong as a stock set of tons.


if youre on tons too you might as well go 40" and above tires to make use of them. 

[Dingman.]

having a built set if toyota axles will also be just as strong as a stock set of tons.

100% do not agree with this statement.  You still have a weak 8" diff, and if you are going to compare strength, it isn't even comparable if you put chromo shafts in the one tons.  Sure one tons are a big chunk of change to build, but on the flip side if you build them right the first time then it will be the last axles you build. 

I had built toyota axles.  The only thing i ever broke were trunion bearings, and the differentials.   Most of you know my luck with toyota diffs and that was the reason i ditched the toyota axles.  Not sure why i broke so many ring and pinions.  It could have been from improper setup since a lot of those were bought already setup. It could have been the fact that i had a 3.4L swapped second gen 4runner  that was heavy and i also ran 36-39.5" tires on it all the time.  I know it was a lot of stress running 37" toyos on the road everyday since it was my daily driver, and yes i did drive like a jackass with too much throttle.   

With that said, i sold off all my toyota axle parts, and now have a dana 60 front/14 bolt rear.  They are geared to 5.38s (compared to 5.29 toy diffs) and i think i can tell a difference with having one tons, it feels slower to me, honest.  However, there was quite some time passed between driving with toyota axles to driving with tons so my memory is probably not too great, but i do feel like i can tell a difference with excess weight.  It is still drive able though, don't get me wrong.  I haven't really wheeled it since i put the tons in so i can't really comment on much in that aspect, but as far as having ton's, my tires stick out a bunch more which is a total cop magnet now.  I don't even drive it cause i don't feel like getting any more fix it tickets (i had mud flaps on last time i got pulled over, but CHP said i needed flares as well).  But

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

Thank you for your opinions guys. I just want to plan this build out right and have no serious regrets.

[Snowtoy]

I'm definitely not a throttle jockey.... I will use the throttle if necessary but I'd rather pic lines carefully and crawl..

Then you should be fine with built stock axles, a buddy had basically your same build plans with this 3rd gen Runner. 

After that Runner he went to a Rover on portals w/40's, then to an '87 x-cab on full widths running 42's.  After selling the '87, he said he would never go that route again, said tires that big took all the fun out of wheeling, plans to build another 3rd gen Runner, or 2nd gen and do a 3.4 swap.

[helipilot77]

I'll just share how I am planning to solve this problem. For a front axle I am going to have a diamond housing built with 9.5" diffs and FJ-80 outers it will be narrowed to stock width so that it can still maintain daily driver duty. The rear axle will be a narrowed and centered FJ-80 full float Diamond housing. 

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

Wow a full set of diamond axles especially with fj80 high steer is gonna cost some major $$$$. I have that front rough stuff housing which would be plenty strong, I guess the major weakness being the 8" 3rd.

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

Then you should be fine with built stock axles, a buddy had basically your same build plans with this 3rd gen Runner. 

After that Runner he went to a Rover on portals w/40's, then to an '87 x-cab on full widths running 42's.  After selling the '87, he said he would never go that route again, said tires that big took all the fun out of wheeling, plans to build another 3rd gen Runner, or 2nd gen and do a 3.4 swap.

That's a sweet lookin rig! I can see where 40's on full widths can make it much easier to just go over stuff. I've got a buddy with an 81 toyota truggy on tons and 40's and he makes look easy..although there are some areas where his width doesn't help.

[Dingman.]

You just have to decide what your goals are with the rig.  I had so much fun when i first got my stock runner. Thats why i built it because i got hooked.  I kepted upgrading because i wanted to go further and to harder places and i wanted a badass rig.  I had a lot of fun on toyota axles and i thought my rig wheeled really well for what it was.  I just personally couldnt keep toyota diffs together.  I got tired of swapping third members out so i went the one ton route.  After i got a new daily driver though it seemed my toyota thirds lasted a lot longer though because i wasnt driving it near as much.

I think it just all comes down to how you drive and your luck.  Lol.  Thomas on here has 42" iroks on toyota axles and i think he has only broken one ring and pinnion, but thats just his wheeler so it doesnt see much road time.  I also know plenty of people on 39.5"s on toy axles and they dont have problems like i ever did.  If i didn't blow out so many diffs i would have never went to one tons.

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

You just have to decide what your goals are with the rig.  I had so much fun when i first got my stock runner. Thats why i built it because i got hooked.  I kepted upgrading because i wanted to go further and to harder places and i wanted a badass rig.  I had a lot of fun on toyota axles and i thought my rig wheeled really well for what it was.  I just personally couldnt keep toyota diffs together.  I got tired of swapping third members out so i went the one ton route.  After i got a new daily driver though it seemed my toyota thirds lasted a lot longer though because i wasnt driving it near as much.

I think it just all comes down to how you drive and your luck.  Lol.  Thomas on here has 42" iroks on toyota axles and i think he has only broken one ring and pinnion, but thats just his wheeler so it doesnt see much road time.  I also know plenty of people on 39.5"s on toy axles and they dont have problems like i ever did.  If i didn't blow out so many diffs i would have never went to one tons.

Thanks for the info/opinion.. I was reading through your build thread did you ever get it finished with the Tons?? If so how much have you wheeled it?

[Dingman.]

Its driveable but i havent really wheeled it.  ive litterally put 550 miles on it driving on the street.  Maybe one mile in 4wd offroad Lol So basically the rear end is just broken in.  i need to fix my front suspension because i had to set bumpstops so stupid in order to stop my steering from hitting my frame. 

[lostbuckaroo [OP]]

Yeah mines not gonna be a daily driver but I want to keep it SMOG/Street Legal.. mostly for Sale-ability/Resale Value..

[MRHilux87]

I think alot of people want tons because they like how they look, or they have heard how strong they are.  They have their advantages but in the end, neither is perfect.  Toyota axles have alot of downsides, so do one tons.  You just have to decide what you want, vs need.  One tons built right to whatever width you choose would be ideal.  But then you have more money in axles than your whole truck is worth.  Driving style, tire size, and budget.  Those determine your axle choice. 

[4runner17]

Most people I know broke t case parts after tons.. Always a weaker link. Depends on drive style also

[boomtacoma01]

I got tired of busting up 8in ring and pinions. I wish I would have built tons right off the bat. I'm doing that now. If you build them right it's a no brainier on overall strength. Built Toyota axles are strong but the 8in diff has always been my weak point. When I upgrade my engine down the road, an atlas and an auto tranny will be going into my 85. I will have a fairly small investment after I sell my built Toy axles.


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