What is the exact difference between the 76-78 vrs. 79-90 Birfields and are they easily interchangeable? Just shorter with no c-clip? I have a 76 and need to now if I can use the newer models...

Grenaded a driver side hub this weekend. After putting on a spare hub I've got a metallic clicking sound coming from the diff. area. Don't know if I damaged the birf. or something happened to the lock right??? Sucks cause I just finished rebuilding the knuckles, and the birfs. were in mint condition.

Was in the process of getting a spare set of birfields before the weekend, but just needed to know the difference between years.

Our club (FLCA) had it's annual meet this weekend in a sand quarry. One rolled 60, several broken birfs, etc. Will post a link to our website when we get the pics up. :D

Originally posted by fj40bill
What is the exact difference between the 76-78 vrs. 79-90 Birfields and are they easily interchangeable? Just shorter with no c-clip? I have a 76 and need to now if I can use the newer models...
:D

There are two minor differences. The 79-90 birfs are the same as the solid axle mini truck birfs. They are slightly larger, so you will have to grind the housing to fit them in. The outer axle stub is also slightly smaller. Not a problem if you are running generic warn hubs. Only a problem if you are running Aisin/Asco hubs from a 76-78 FJ55, will need to change to later Cruiser or mini lockouts. Other than that, are the same, a little stronger, and alot easier to find than the 76-78 birfs. HTH

Ross

Actually, slightly incorrect.

The 76-78 Birfields have a longer shaft length, ~1/4" IIRC. They have a slightly smaller diameter bell design.

Shaft length and critical bell diameter (across the flats) is the same on a 79+ birfield as a Newfield.

When running minitruck/stock Aisin hubs with 79+ birfs, you install a outer clip in the birfield groove. When running 76-78 "stock" Warn/Aisin hubs, you install a fender washer/bolt into the end of the birfield to use the minitruck/79+ birfs.

76-78 birfs are "not compatible" with minitruck or later Aisin hubs, since the spline section of the birf extends too far into the lockout.

Thanks - how much grinding required to install the 79 up mini-truck or FJ birfields? Can it be done with a little filing and patience, or do I have to remove the knuckle housing and grind away?

I've also heard several people say they don't run either the c-clip or the fender washer? Is this ok?

Strip down the outer axle down to the bare knuckle, use an angle grinder and shave about a 1/16" off the machined flat sides or just enough so that the larger birfields will slide in without any enterferance. Inner clips, I never used them, and fender washer, whats that?

Jeff

Originally posted by woody
76-78 birfs are "not compatible" with minitruck or later Aisin hubs, since the spline section of the birf extends too far into the lockout.

Brian, I'm running mini-truck hubs with one (remaining) '76 birfield and no problems so far.

The hubs I'm using are the Larry Miller $55 Aisin hubs.

When/if the other '76 birfield breaks, a later birfield will take its place.

Morgan

I just want to know, what did you find to break a Birfield on, in Fla?:D

Dog Walker - See post below on "fender washer" snipped from Woody's comments. I am only familiar with using c-clips and assume he's talking about using the threaded end in the 76-78 birf...

"When running minitruck/stock Aisin hubs with 79+ birfs, you install a outer clip in the birfield groove. When running 76-78 "stock" Warn/Aisin hubs, you install a fender washer/bolt into the end of the birfield to use the minitruck/79+ birfs."

r77toy,

We had the use of a 30 acre mining pit - mostly sand, a few small piles of concrete debris and lots of logs.

I grenaded a hub, replaced it with a spare and now have an inconsistent metallic clicking noise in the front axle - wheeled for 2 more hours and still did'nt break anything? Either a problem with the lock right or??? I run 16/35 Boggers. Buying a set of spare birfields in anticipation of GSMTR and want to make sure they fit.

An 85 4-Runner with Marlin cases and 35" Baja Claws broke a short side birfield.

A mid 80's FJ60 with 36's rolled (total loss on the right side and top).

2 other 40's broke birfields - one with 32's, the other with 39" Boggers.

A 40 with an FJ80 rear end, 39" Boggers, SM465 and dual cases broke a rear t-case shaft.

Good day for Florida :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by morgan


Brian, I'm running mini-truck hubs with one (remaining) '76 birfield and no problems so far.

The hubs I'm using are the Larry Miller $55 Aisin hubs.


Damn...I sit corrected again! :D

I DO run the fender washer OR the retaining clip on the end of the birfield stub. (I do not run in the inner circlip however) Without this to keep the stub shaft fully seated on the brass bushings inside the spindle, I think the chances of breaking birfields are increased.

Nothing scientific here tho....I just believe that letting the birfield float inwards too much may create additional strain and/or binding and perhaps increase the chances of birf bustage. Since it's a 5-second part to install or remove, I run it.

Originally posted by fj40bill
r77toy,

We had the use of a 30 acre mining pit - mostly sand, a few small piles of concrete debris and lots of logs.

I grenaded a hub, replaced it with a spare and now have an inconsistent metallic clicking noise in the front axle - wheeled for 2 more hours and still did'nt break anything? Either a problem with the lock right or??? I run 16/35 Boggers. Buying a set of spare birfields in anticipation of GSMTR and want to make sure they fit.

An 85 4-Runner with Marlin cases and 35" Baja Claws broke a short side birfield.

A mid 80's FJ60 with 36's rolled (total loss on the right side and top).

2 other 40's broke birfields - one with 32's, the other with 39" Boggers.

A 40 with an FJ80 rear end, 39" Boggers, SM465 and dual cases broke a rear t-case shaft.

Good day for Florida :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

I have seen less carnage than that in Poteau on a Memorial Day weekend! :eek:

Good LORD!

more rolling 60's:eek:

I feel this has something to do with the earths magnetic attraction to FJ60 tops :D

FYI-

Larry Miller has raised their prices on the TLCA special hubs to $65 each plus shipping now. The parts are now discontinued by Toyota and they hold the last US stocks, roughly 110 of these.

still cheaper than the black/gold hubs at $230 list or so.

Sorry fj60 driver, but the 60 that rolled already had the roof removed from behind the driver all the way back. I believe Eric attended the last 2 GSMTR's, so there's a few pictures of his rig floating around on the web. Nice set up for a 60. I think he has a replacement body lined up...