From what I have read, it is not possible to just swap in the mini birfs (for strength), but keep the cruiser outers is it?

I have a whole mini axle for the disk conversion, then a buddy offered me a cruiser
disk axle missing the long side birf, but otherwise perfect.

Should I just look for a birf for it? It seems like it would be cheaper than the mini swap, right?

Working from memory alone, which is beginning to fail at a rate proportional to the amount of drinking I've been doing, the mini truck birfields are slightly longer in the shaft potion than the Cruiser birfs.

HTH

Birfields have two methods for retaining the outside portion...a snap ring or a bolt w/ fender washer. All minitruck, cruiser, and Newfield shafts are setup for both.

In simple terms, if you DO opt to install the clip or bolt, just use whatever one is available for you to use.

One thing...76-78 birfs are the longest, 79+ cruiser, mini, 60 series, Newfields, etc are all the shorter version. A 76-78 birf used in a minitruck OR used on a FJ40 with the minitruck Aisin hubs will stick out TOO far for the lockout to be installed.

76-78 birfs are also a slightly smaller diameter than the shorter, later variations. Installing mini birfs in a 40 76-78 FJ40 housing will require to completely strip the outers and grind down the inside of the knuckles flats to the birfield will slip into place.

IIRC, someone on the list discovered this on the trail when they busted a 77 birf on their truck and was unable to slip their mini replacement in without some grinding work...

Birfields have two methods for retaining the outside portion...a snap ring or a bolt w/ fender washer. All minitruck, cruiser, and Newfield shafts are setup for both.

Hey woody, I have been running my Birfs for about ummm 14 years without any sort of clip or fender washer. The reason I was doing this is because it came to me that way. Actually it makes removal of the hub a lot easier! Can you see any reason why this might be a bad idea?

I run mine the same way....the only concern is that the birf is then free to float inwards slightly in the spindle, and may cause unusual wear on the inner brass bushing or perhaps some incorrect angularity with the inner axle shaft....

Actually, the more I think, perhaps having that clip or washer in place is not such a bad idea.....hhhmmmmmmm If the birf is allowed to float freely in, it may create an additional bind with the birfield cage and perhaps create greater chance of birfield breakage????

Anyone??

When i did not run the clips all it did was make my hubs come loose. But i have aisins now and that does not happen.

I use any fine spline birf on my rig, and have never had any length problems. I did grind my housin, but have cruiser disks.

When i did not run the clips all it did was make my hubs come loose. But i have aisins now and that does not happen.

I use any fine spline birf on my rig, and have never had any length problems. I did grind my housin, but have cruiser disks.

how did i get two posts?

ian,
you don't need to double click web buttons. you probably just got an itchy finger going there.

as fars the birf lengths, use the mini birfs and lc axles. many don't run with the clip, many do (it's not that tough to put them on (bill jacksons site has a neat description of a home built device to make the clip go in easy) and others run a marlin tack on the axle shaft to prevent the birf from sliding.

i put in a clip just for insurance.

Ruby, We are actually talking about the clip that is in the hub itself not the clip that is within the Birfield.

Got a point woody. I wonder if it really makes a difference....


any one?

Ive ran them both ways and dont see any difference, the only reason i started using them is because one time my hub bolts came loose and the hub fell of and I lost it, the clip just makes sure if this happens again the hub stays put.