Solid Axle Conversion

[AZTUNDRA2000]

I'm wanting to do a Solid Axle conversion for my 2000 TRD 4x4 Tundra what axle should I be trying to track down? I meand what do I call around and ask for? Does anyone out there that has done a solid axle conversion know what they put in their truck to do the swap?

[dyogim]

A lot of the tacoma guys have been using axles from an 87 wagoneer. However, it might not be wide enough for the tundra. You might want to look at getting a D44. You might also want to check if any of the FJ 80's are wide enough.

[Y2kn1Tun]

I would suggest getting a donor vehicle, like a Chevy K30 and take the axles (D44 or D60 I forget, and the rear 14 bolt Full Floater) and also the T-case. You could take the hangers, shock mounts, etc... and weld them onto your truck also for fairly cheap. Then you would just have to rig up some crossover steering, and a few other things. I'm not sure if there is an adapter kit to mount our trannies to an NP205 or NP208 yet, but you should look into it. I think that it would make it a lot easier to do the conversion. Also by using a donor vehicle you would have axles with matching widths and lug patterns, also you could use springs for a chevy. (i.e. 12'' superlift leaves )

[DevinSixtySeven]

since you'll presumably be wheeling with your sas, do it right the first time...

i'd highly recommend a d60. they're bombproof. i've seen plenty of battle-scarred d60s in colorado, they're seriously burly. also, if you break parts off your d60, the aftermarket replacements are even burlier.

you'll need a hy-steer setup (crossover type). don't listen to anyone who sez you can just extend the steering link redneck-steering style. rockstomper, offroad solutions, and advanced offroad research all have quite a bit of experience with hy-steer and sas stuff...rockstomper might even be able to recommend or have parts, since they work with d60 axles and whatnot.

you're better off getting a new power steering box. ive seen a few adaptations using rack & pinion, they aren't very pretty, and rock ram steering will be much nicer and probably break less .

you'll also need new break lines (the soft part that goes to the rear axle, and one for the front), but those are cheap compared to the rest of it.

you'll also need to take some pictures

-sean

[Y2kn1Tun]

Word on what DeepStealth said. Of all the parts that you should bite the bullet on is the steering. You do not want to cut corners on this. If you do you will have a very good chance of wrecking your newly finished rig, as well as possibly hurting many other people at the same time.

[DevinSixtySeven]

one of the 4wheel rags had an article on a superduty they took to moab and went crawling...pretty sweet rig, but they didn't change the steering. poison spider bit them...no more wheeling !

rock ram from agr is a *must* unless youre making a pavement pounder that goes from show to show.

-sean