toy turning radius

[LT1SCOUT]

ive read just about all the toy vs dana stuff on here and the one thing i cant find the answer to is the "reduced turning radius" with toy axles. is this due to the narrower width and the tires rubbing the leaf springs or do toy axles actually have a smaller steering angle than a dana 44?

[moto261]

beacuse it has burfs thatz why they say with bobbys longfeilds youcan get a lot more out of htem though

[Azrckcrawler]

The main problem is the Toy axle width, I have yet to see anyone run less than 2" backspacing on their rims and a lot of guys also add wheel spacers on top of the rims which makes for a horrible scrub radius. With the aftermarket birfs you'll find the felt retainers interfere with the bell so the extra angle those birfs can take is mainly a paper advantage.

[rotozuk]

With the new Longfields it is far better then it ever used to be, but to be honest I have not adjusted my steering stops to take advantage offered by the birfs. It would give me a bit more, but not sure it would be up to Dana ability yet.

I'm still happy with my Toy axles, but if someone offered a good deal on a Dana 60 front end I would not pass it up. I would not swap for a Dana 44 as they are about the same.

Chris makes a good point, you will probably be running some small back spacing, and a wheel spacer. I know I am.

-Wayne

[LT1SCOUT]

you will probably be running some small back spacing, and a wheel spacer. I know I am.

-Wayne


does it turn easily or are you running hydro-assist? whats the outside width? got any pics? im not excited about a sorry scrub radius but if the knuckles and arms will take the stress of hydro-assist and 37's then i guess its ok.

[lebowski]

How much tighter can a D44 turn vs Toy? I'm assuming it's not too significant.

[Azrckcrawler]

How much tighter can a D44 turn vs Toy? I'm assuming it's not too significant.

It's like night and day and running a lot of offset on your rims on the Toy axles tips the scales in the 44's favor even more.

[rotozuk]

You really think night and day?

With a Dana you "can" build for more angle, but most 44 builds stay with a "normal" angle, and that is what 5-10 degrees more steering then the Toy? I'm no axle expert, but I would not bother building for high steering angles without a Dana60 outer, and lots of money for expensive parts.

Steering a Toy axle with 37s and a Saginaw steering box was not much trouble at all except when I was really burried in the rocks. Parked on pavement, aired down, steering was a single finger operation. I am now full hydro and it is easy at all times.

Does steering angle make a big difference? YES, it sure can when you are in the rocks. But you need some beefy axles to pull off the big angles without regular carnage.

I have to say that it is really nice to have axles you trust to turn full lock while climbing a nasty obstacle. It opens up some many new options compared to how we all started wheeling with stock birfs, or stock Dana 30 or 44 parts. :)

-Wayne