MTNRIDE said:
Hey guys, I'm brand new to the site and fairly new to the whole solid axle swap concept. Who makes the best kit for my truck? What all will I need to gain enough lift to comfortably run 39.5 bogger. I currently have 7 1/4" total lift not including tires, the 3" body lift will stay the rest will go. I think I want to keep the original rear axle just change gearing, and probably use an 84-85 front axle. I am a greenhorn so feel free to set me straight! Thanks.
I've been researching this for about two years, and plan to start the SAS on my '96 in Feb. I think you basically only have three choices:
1. 91-97 Toyota Landcruiser (or lexus 450) 8" high pinion reverse cut gears with factory E-locker. This is rated as a 1 ton axle, probably comparable in strengh to a D60 with the diff on the same side as yours and about the same width. This is what I'm going to do (Coil over)
2. D44 axle. They're easy to find and cheap. This is the most popular swap. About the same width. Diff on the same side, and probably almost as strong as a Toy axle. Lots of diff-lock options.
3. Early 80's Toyota axle. The diff is on the wrong side (as mentioned above), and you will have to do some fabbing. They are also narrower than the Taco. Can be retrofitted with an E-locker.