FJ80 lockers into an FJ55
To: <landcruisers@tlca.org>
Subject: FJ80 electric locker in 40/55/60 - also FF info
From: "Lance Williams" <lwilliams@cov.com>
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 17:00:53 -0500
I guess now would be time to come forth with some info about that FF
setup, huh?
First, running the electric locker up front:
Tupp is running an FJ80 REAR electric locker in the front of his 40.
He makes an inner axle shaft replacement kit that allows the entire
3rd member from the rear of the FJ80 with electric locker to be
swapped in. (simply replace the stock inner axle shaft with the Tupp
axle shaft)
As you know the FJ80 electric locker is an ideal alternative to the
ARB. Unlike the ARB it does not rely on air pressure to keep the diff
locked, it uses a lever actuated "dog clutch" instead. What this
means to a trail rig, besides no more air related locker failures, is
that even if your electrics fail you are still locked - not open. You
can even actuate it by hand if you are desparate. The best part is
that you can buy the electric locker new, in a brand new 3rd member,
with new R&P, bearings, etc from Toyota for far less than a similarly
equipped ARB.
The inner axle kit is ready for the 40/55, the 60 inner axle kit will
be ready by May. This will allow you to run the FJ80 REAR electric
locker in the front.
For the Rear:
Tupp makes an Full Floating rear axle kit for the 40/55/60. This kit
replaces the stock semi-floating axle shafts and the accompanying
adapter allows you to run the stock front end hubs/spindles/disk
brakes/etc. The FF conversion also allows you to run the FJ80 REAR
electric locker.
So how does it compare with WARN? I've been running the TUPP rear FF
conversion for a little over a month now, let me share some of my
observations:
Warn uses Dana hubs and bearings, Tupp uses OEM Toyota hubs/spindles
and bearings that match the front end.
Warn uses a Ford 2" caliper, Tupp uses OEM Toyota caliper and vented
rotor. (ie - no spliced brake lines or mismatched caliper)
Tupp's axles are made of a stronger alloy than stock, splined and
hardened by a racing (NASCAR) shop.
Tupp's axles allow you to run the factory toyota electric locker.
Under $1000 NEW! in the 3rd member with all new ring and pinion and
bearings. With the toyota locker you don't have to worry about air
related failures. You can engage/disengage the toyo unit by hand even
if the electrics fail. (arb's are just open diffs when they fail,
with no way to lock them no matter how ugly the trail ahead is) And no
other diff on the market is this cheap when you put it in a brand new
diff with brand new R&P and brand new bearings, not even a lock right.
Tupp's axles allow you to run the factory locking hubs in the rear. I
won't dwell on the usefullness here of an unlocking rear, you can get
that much with the Warn unit. But with Tupp's you can throw a spare
drive plate in the toolbox - what's that, 8oz of extra space? - and in
the event of a blown hub just switch a rear to drive plate and fix
your front end right there. With warn you have to carry a different
spare for both front and rear.... which holds true for the rest of the
dana hardware as well, nuts, washers, bearings, whatever - - with the
toyota setup one spare does it all for front and rear.
For my 55, the kit bolted right up, no brake line splicing and no
proportioning. (I suspect that a lighter truck like a 60 or 40 might
require proportioning - or a truck using an early style brake master)
Still, in my case and for many others even the stock drum brake lines
will bolt right up. (no chance of that when you use Ford calipers -
then you definately need to double flare your own brake lines and add
a proportioning valve)
I am very happy with the FF rear conversion, email me or meet up with
me at GSMTR if you want to check it out for yourself.
The rear FF kit is available for the 40/55 now and will be available
for the 60 in May.
If you are interested in putting an electric locker or full floater in
your cruiser I recommend you call:
Tupp Purcell, Richmond VA - 804-285-2761
(no affiliation) I have never recommended a vendor to the LCML before,
I take this recommendation _very_ seriously.
Lance Williams
77 fj 55 RockLobster
Alexandria, VA
