Hey, I have a 1985 pickup. I know how to get the rear carrier out (have done it...) How about the front? Any links to good writeups? You take it down to that big nut (54mm, right?) and then rip everything off untill you get it down to the birfield, then flat on top and pull it out? Well, any help would be great, dont want to get frustrated and end up doing a full - width swap before its time... btw, i am looking for steps and details, i dont really know how to take it down to the birfield, hehe. Thanks, AJ

Here is a good link for you............Are you sure you want to weld the front?

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/solid_axle/

yea, i can unlock the hubs, cant afford a locker now, going to the rubicon over memorial day weekend, need traction, so on. And if I break stuff, then that is an excuse to go full width. Thanks for the link...

later on you could get a twin stick on your t-case to shift from 4wl to 2wl. but there's no way that you need the front locked to go through the con, it is nice though. and if you plan on welding the front to get through little sluice, you could easily end up having the replace your birfield(s). but anyways, get it on with the weldin' and smashin'. i'll be there. 4x4wire does have a good write up, it's also handy to have a toyota book lying around.

ok, that is my main question... should I just weld the rear (easier to do and harder to break axle shaft than birfield...) or should I weld the front. Used to do almost 100% off road, so rear is ok, but latley has been about 50% on road, kinda concerned about tire wear (poor college student...) I have kind of convinced myself to do just the rear for now, especially since I just finished relubing the front end... Thanks,

Im a little confused but if I understand correctly you were going to lincoln the front not the rear. You will blow birfields as you know and going to have a lot more work to do. Just lock the rear leave the front open.

What size tires and gears are you running? Do you have dual cases? I have heard of many stock trucks going through the Con you just may have to by pass some of the harder stuff.

I was planning on doing the rear, it is a lot easier, but was considering doing the front. I think I am going to leave it open for now. I have stock gears, motor, tcase, 33's and around 4 or 5 inches higher, going to do a mazda 3/4 elliptic setup next week to see how it works, and then use my rears in front, or if i can find some yj or waggys, that would be even better. How do you break birfields, and how can you tell? I know what they are and what purpose they serve, but what part on them physically breaks, the outer part cage thing or what? I would guess the way to break it would be to heavily load the front drivetrain while turned almost to lock.. Thanks,

Yes it is the outside part that cracks or just blows apart. If you are open in the front it is almost impossible to blow one up.

When they go usually it is turned almost to lock and backing up, sometimes going forward and it seems done a lot in parking lots :rolleyes: .

If you are locked the way you tell is the wheel no longer turns or just after the bang (although you dont always get the good sound effects). Oh and if you blow one you want to stop just ask Booger Weldz.

yea, thats what i figured... how expensive are they, is there anything you can do to prevent this, longfields?, or should I just hold off untill i go full width? thanks,

The longfields seem to be doing very well. There have been many posts on them in the Toy Section. As well as the debate of birfield vs. Dana front check the toy section I havent taken the time to read them all but I plan on running Long's in my Runner.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140579

http://www.pirate4x4.com/productreviews/superbirfield/

Don't worry about locking the front for the Rubicon - you really don't need it!

But the rear is almost a must - :D

And besides you'll start really breaking stuff if you spool the front - and if you need help pulling apart the front end now - just think how good you'll get doing it on the trail every weekend you go wheeling with the front spooled :D

Seriously stock trucks make the con - A rear locker and your good to go!

sounds like a plan... thanks guys. on to do list before memorial day weekend, weld rear diff, mazda springs (possible 3/4 elliptic), rears in front, extend front driveshaft, relocate rear shocks, and i am sure i will think of other things... think i can make it? ;)