Just seeing what people here know about these axles. I'm trying to figure out a good axle to run 37's, so I want something stronger than a D44 w/ CTM's and Superior chromoly shafts, but I don't need to weight/size of a stock D60 or the expense of a custom 60.

What's the difference in FJ-80 solid front axles and the standard solid front axle toyota axle? I guess that would be the mini truck front axle? How are the knuckles, steering, hubs and brakes for them? What are the known problem areas and at what size tire and rig weight do they start to become a problem?

I've read that the 30 spline longfield super birfields are similar in strength to stock D60 shafts so that is the strength I would need.

What centersection do they use?

Diamond axle makes a custom housing that I would need if I went this way beause I would need driverside drop, but it would still be much cheaper than any aftermarket D60.

If you were building the ultimate Toyota front axle, how would you build it?

I'm thinking a Diamond front axle housing with the Longfield super birfs, and an ARB, but still don't know anything else about Toyota parts.

Are 5.38 gears available for the high pinion Toyota centersection? Stock FJ-80 knuckles would probably be good, how are they brakes? Are they twin piston? What size rotor? I think I've read that the stock size TRE's are plenty strong enough so I wouldn't need to drill out for larger ones.

And lastly... this would be for a Jeep TJ, never had a Toyota so I don't know much about them, but this seems to be the right place.

If you need something stronger than a D44 with supreiors and CTM's you want a 60.

80 series axle outers are beefier than the other toy birfed axles. Downfall is the knuckles, they have the steering arm on the bottom. I don't think anyone makes high steer for these, at least I've never seen any yet.

You *can* get high steer, but it ain't cheep. Jim at inchworm has said he would do the machining on the knuckles (that you'd have to send in) and OTT would still make the arms, but it is rather costly.

Honestly dood, this is what you want to do. Get a diamond housing with a 8" center, setup for an elocker if that is what you want, get mini knuckles, and get it the width that you want. Get your 30 spiners with custom inners and get your high-steer of choice from any fine vendor on this board. You'll end up spending about the same and have a much cooler setup than an FJ-80 axle.

At least that is my lame opinion.

How strong are the mini truck outers? Hubs, bearings, that sort of thing.

Is there any way to convert them to 5x5.5"

This is still a distant idea, just something I thought of today when trying to think of a slightly stronger setup than a built D44, minus the cost of a custom high clearance D60, and the weight and bulk of a stock D60.

I'm also really interested in the brake performance. If I stick with Rubicon D44 that I have now I will upgrade to the Vanco brake kit that has come out which uses front calipers off of a Mustang I believe, but another way to get better brakes is to use the front calipers off of a WJ grand cherokee.

High steer is nice, but it's not incredibly important. As long as it's atleast on the upper half of the axle tube it will be ok. True high steer would more than likely interfere with my front trackbar drop bracket anyways.

What has appealed to me the most about the Toyota axles are the Long field birfields. It seems like a really good idea and I especially like the ability to turn at a sharper angle and not get as much feed back from the u-joints.

What are some good toyota driveline places to check out so I can do some research of my own?

Longfield, diamond axle, all-pro, poly performance...some others?

i've got an 80 front in my new rig
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/35xj/olblue056.jpg
build thread is in my sig "new buggy"
let me know if you have any specific questions

dave