I'm in the process of rebuilding the knuckles on a 74 FJ40 axle to do a SOA on my 66. The 66 has some very large diameter WARN hubs that resemble soup cans w/ brass centers. (I've never seen anything like these before)
The hubs on the 74 axles are the std. WARN hubs.

1.) Any difference in reliability/performance?

2.) Will they even fit on the 74 axles?

I am a newbie so if you reply feel free to rip away!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong- but the soup can hubs are for the older style birfield (six splines, as opposed to the 30 spline newer birfs). I had them on my '70 until I swapped them out for minitruck knuckles, birfs...
1. The word on the street is that the newer birfs are stronger (from the guys who have broken them both).

2. The axle housings should be the same- but in order to use the soup can hubs, you'll have to use the coarse splined birfields too. Which might mean that you have to keep all of the older, coarse birf setup (drums....) don't know though.
There's my two cents worth-
Zipp. :fj:

wrong spline count, but correct theory. the soup cans aren't available anymore iirc. you can get the updated style for the course spline.

Pete, I've got some coarse spline parts in the FS section, including a pair of warn premium hubs.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87650

If you've got '74 axles, consider doing the minitruck swap now. Go to stronger minitruck birfields (same as FJ60/FJ62 birfs) and minitruck knuckles and stronger minitruck hubs, and disc brakes.

The minitruck knuckles are good because they have the later, larger steering arm stud pattern. (again, like FJ60/FJ62 cruisers) This is the pattern used for every aftermarket Toyota high-steer steering arm I've seen.

Minitruck axles go for around $200 a pop, in my experience. Worth it.

Morgan

If you've got '74 axles, consider doing the minitruck swap now. Go to stronger minitruck birfields (same as FJ60/FJ62 birfs) and minitruck knuckles and stronger minitruck hubs, and disc brakes.

Yep, good advice! Don't forget to have your steering arms welded up & reamed to accept the LC tie rods ends. :p

I've got some mini birfs (only) for sale. PM me if you are interested.