is any one running the centered diff that cv unlimited makes? also what is your guys opinion on that set up? it is a cruiser diff centered and runs mini shafts and brakes. thanks for the in put.

I've got that very same setup in progress on my welding table right now. I'll admit that it's been a slow going project cause it's completion has not been high on my list of priorities.

But it makes real good sense to me, especially since I have an abundance of LC and Toy truck parts.

My reason is to accomodate the use of a Dana 20 behind my SM420, which I happened to pick up at a smokin good deal.
The benifits that I see are as such;

I still use LC difs, so one spare is still good for front or rear.
Rear brake parts are way cheaper than LC brake parts.
No more C-clips to contend with.
Different emergency brake setup.
A mini truck brake master cylinder should work real good since I've already got mini truck discs up front.
I still get to use the same locker I was using before as opposed to needing to buy a new one for a different centered axle assembly like a Dana somthing or other.

Most of all it's kind of unique, like a "custom built" type of a thing that we all become so proud of when it comes to building our Cruisers.

reddog what is involved in mounting a mini master cylinder? and will a master on my 72 work? i have the mini dics on the front.

Options for Centered Rear Ends in Cruisers

Dana 60 would be the best bet. !!!! Sunray does really good work.


See the other option below.


6 lug semi-floating 30 spline Dana 60:
You could do the 6 lug semi floating dana 60 using toyota pickup axles, brakes, and a portion of the toy tubes with a dana 60 center
section and tubes. These are 55 or 58 inches wide depending on the rear of toy axles that you use.

V-6 or turbo toy pickup rearend:
You could just use a v-6 or turbo toy pickup rearend. The toy pinions are the same size as the cruiser's at the splines. Also, the axles
are the same at the splines except they do not use c-clips. I heard that both (maybe only one of them…can't remember exactly) the
V-6 and the turbo toy pickup rearends have stronger third members than the standard 4 cyl rearends. They have a stronger 4-pin
design carrier.

9 inch rear end: late 70's Lincoln Versailles:
You could use a 9 inch rear end out of a late 70s lincoln versailles. It is approximately the right width. They are hard to find, use 28
spline instead of 31 spline axles, and are 5 lug (you could have the pattern changed or get new 31 spline axles with the correct bolt
pattern).

9 inch rear end: '66-'77 Bronco:
A 9 inch rear out of a 66-77 bronco would fit, although it would be about 2-4 inches wider than the stock rearend. These are 28 spline
so new 6 lug 31 spline axles would be in order.

Dana 44 or solid axle AMC 20 out of a Wagoneer:
Another rearend you could use would be a Dana 44 out of a Wagoneer or a solid axle (not the splined hub type) AMC 20 out of a
Wagoneer. However, it is difficult to find the centered AMC 20 that has solid axles. I heard they vary between 58 and 60 inches wide.

Dana 44 out of a Scout or Scout II
A rearend out of an International Scout or Scout II would work. They may be a bit wide though(4-6 inches?).

35 spline Dana 60 (semifloating):
Also, you could make a 35 spline dana 60 (semifloating). The housing ends are about $65 a pair from Art Morrison or Dutchman or
Moser. The bearings would probably be about the same, if not less. The axles cost about $400 but are probably the last and only
ones you'll ever have to buy for that rearend (Dutchman has 40 spline Dana 60 axles with bearings, retainers, and studs for $470).
Stock centered cruiser housing ('58-'62) Also, I can't forget the stock centered cruiser housing. Drawbacks: hard to find, uses 10 spline axles,
and is 2 inches narrower than offset cruiser rearends.

Custom centered cruiser housing:
Custom centered cruiser housing ($350-400) using toy pickup axles and brakes. A guy in Oregon makes these housings.

One last thing about cruiser pinions vs pickup pinions...the pinion splines and diameter of the splined part of the pinion are the same
(fine spline ones) because I'm using a pickup flange on my cruiser third member so I can use the toyota pickup driveline which has a
longer slip yoke. The rest of the pinion is different.

Dana 60 SunRay Service
yeah, i was over at sunray last week and tom has a high pinion front 60 there that will end up a 9"hybrid front end. he'll use the high pinion 60
pumpkin to buid a rear so give him a call at (817)594-9201. They are good people and do exteamly good work. Ask for Jerard

I ordered a HP Dana 60 with Detroit 4.88 and disk brakes and the price was $ 2750

Cruiser Center Diff
John Groves of Cruiser Parts in Grants Pass Oregon. Phone is 541 479-5500

Originally posted by DaveWFO
Options for Centered Rear Ends in Cruisers

Dana 60 would be the best bet. !!!! Sunray does really good work.

See the other option below.

...

You forgot the stock, pre-1963 Land Cruiser centered rear diff.

http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/6340/centered_diff.jpg

Morgan

Originally posted by morgan


You forgot the stock, pre-1963 Land Cruiser centered rear diff.

http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/6340/centered_diff.jpg

Morgan

That's what I am running and the 35-12.50's fit nicely in the wheel wells!

:smokin:

I am going with the early cruiser diff myself. I will be getting two long side axles cut down and resplined to 30 splines. I am going to use wheel spacers to get it to the correct width.

arndog

forgot to add to check ih8mud.com for diff options

arndog

arndog, randy from advanced 4x4 in slc told me that the cruiser axles are only tempered on the spline end and the flang end and the middle is not. the way they found out is they had some long side axles cut and resplined and druing a trip to moab they broke at the splines. that is why i am thinking of the mini alxe method that i already have 4 third memders three of which are locked.

edge40 this is interesting any others thoughts on this issue. anyway to retemper the axle or to have them hardened.

thanks

arndog

I had a CV unlimited centered Cruiser rear and I felt the workmanship on it was shoddy at best.

Have one made with the Cruiser center...retube it and use Post 1985 Pickup axles for the extra width.

Dave........you forgot that the 9" Lincoln Versailles rear has disk brakes on it. And yes they are extremely hard to find. Most of the hotrodders snatch these up........ they are a direct bolt in for a 66 or 67 ChevyII Nova.:D

I think the cheapest and easiest would be to swap in a mini truck rear end. The pre IFS ones are 55" wide and the 86-94 are 58" wide. You will get a little wider stance in the rear which will help keep the tires off of the rear frame and tub. You also get the ability to have rear axle e-brakes when you swap out your TLC t-case.