Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Here i am sitting here thinking "if i were to build another zook". My current vehicle has the big Toyota diffs with the good bits inside, they're heavy. Next step down is Hilux diffs which have their share of issues also but have been a very popular addition to many Suzuki's over the years in many countries.

The question is in todays regulated society packed with National Codes of Practice and Engineers that air on the side of caution more often than not.

"What's the modern answer to weak stock Zook parts? A stock Hilux axle with all the assoctaied hassles of engineering, steering (but a gain in track) or a WT diff stuffed with Double Tough goodness that weighs a lot less and provides superior ground clearance?"

Is a double Tough stronger than a stock Hilux CV

it would be close but i would still say the hilux due to size can distribute force alot more evenly

I've gone with the Spidertrax chromo's up front and we're building a full floater rear. Both front and rear diffs are shaved and I'm staying spua. It won't be too tall plus the Engineer is happy and it will have pretty good diff clearance. I don't know if it's stronger than using Hilux but I reckon it should be pretty good for my needs.

I've been tossing up exactly that myself with regards to running larger than 31s legaly
Decided to look into double toughs or chromo jobbies, making a call to SpiderTrax tonight
For the front I'm looking at DTs, housing bracing, vitara brake upgrade Snake histeer with rockrods and vitara power steer
That should look after the front all except the additional bearing loads which I argue should be OK as the front is 'Full Floating'.

Heat treated axles on the rear, braced housing, disc brake upgrade NFI what do about rear bearings except change them often

The reality is either way it's just as much work the deciding factor for me is to keep it all Zook. Engineers will probably look at it a lesser a modification than lux diffs thus easier to pass

cj wrote:I've gone with the Spidertrax chromo's up front and we're building a full floater rear. Both front and rear diffs are shaved and I'm staying spua. It won't be too tall plus the Engineer is happy and it will have pretty good diff clearance. I don't know if it's stronger than using Hilux but I reckon it should be pretty good for my needs.

Tell me more about this full floater rear
Are you using front hubs?

fool_injected wrote:
Tell me more about this full floater rear
Are you using front hubs?

Yes. It can be done with either WT or Vit rears.

What axles will you be using?
How much machining is involved?

Hilux rear will hurt your ground clearance, shaving will help but I havn't got that far yet, so its a point against them.

On the other hand a late Hilux diff has more ratio's available and when fitted with the good stuff IMO is going to be SIGNIFICANTLY stronger off the shelf.

Its a trade off between light weight, compact assemblies and larger, heavier and stronger ones. Still if you have significant torque, your choice may be made for you.

cj wrote:I've gone with the Spidertrax chromo's up front and we're building a full floater rear. Both front and rear diffs are shaved and I'm staying spua. It won't be too tall plus the Engineer is happy and it will have pretty good diff clearance. I don't know if it's stronger than using Hilux but I reckon it should be pretty good for my needs.

this is what I'm starting soon
any info about the full floater? you get trail toughs set up?
the only thing what i want more is lock ... but i belive power steering will fix this if not I'll be getting a suzana

It's custom but using the stock front spindle/hub assy which gives rear discs at the same time. There are a few of us doing this with either WT or Vit rears at varying widths. Having a few do it together will keep the cost of the axle shafts down compared to just doing a pair at a time. The lengths are irrelevant in the scheme of things with regard to cost. One Vit rear is already done and my WT will be done shortly, both finishing up at standard WT width. Once the measurements are done on these for the axle shaft lengths then it doesn't matter what width someone wants as the figures will just be adjusted accordingly. This also offers the opportunity to put a full floater under a Vit too although there are handbrake issues to sort out there as the Sierra can run a t-case brake.

ofr57 wrote:

cj wrote:I've gone with the Spidertrax chromo's up front and we're building a full floater rear. Both front and rear diffs are shaved and I'm staying spua. It won't be too tall plus the Engineer is happy and it will have pretty good diff clearance. I don't know if it's stronger than using Hilux but I reckon it should be pretty good for my needs.

this is what I'm starting soon
any info about the full floater? you get trail toughs set up?
the only thing what i want more is lock ... but i belive power steering will fix this

power steer wont change lock, will only help you get there easier...

yes i know
but when crawling I'm wondering is it that i cant turn quick enough

FYI - responses to emails

TrailTought wrote:The full floater has been discontinued for about 4 years now. We are sold out of the Double tough front axles until the end of June. UPS shipping for the axles to Australia would be about $295.00. You can order by phone or fax as directed on the web site ordering page.

Spidertrax wrote:Hello,

Thanks for the interest in Spidertrax products. Unfortunately at this time we do not ship internationally but we do have a dealer in Australia by the name of ABT 4X4. I have listed their contact info below:

ABT 4X4
Sean Lee
Unit 17 / 64 Drummond Street
South Windsor 2756
Australia
abt4x4@internode.on.net
02-6276-6833

They will be able to help you out with any product we sell. Let me know if you have any questions.

Have a nice day,

Ross Stanford
Sales Manager
Spidertrax Off-Road
www.spidertrax.com

I have just noticed that BBM are stocking chromo axles and CVs to
Rick/Liam- could you please provide some info on these units

Try lowrangeoffroad.com

Excellent service, had the goods here in 7 days and shipping was $100.

fool_injected wrote:
I have just noticed that BBM are stocking chromo axles and CVs to
Rick/Liam- could you please provide some info on these units

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic140376.php

Thanks Wayne, here is the link to our thread with our offer that is EXCLUSIVE to Outers guys.
Also see Liam's thread on a golden opportunity to get a free set!

Rick.

BBM Rick wrote:

fool_injected wrote:
I have just noticed that BBM are stocking chromo axles and CVs to
Rick/Liam- could you please provide some info on these units

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic140376.php

Thanks Wayne, here is the link to our thread with our offer that is EXCLUSIVE to Outers guys.
Also see Liam's thread on a golden opportunity to get a free set!

Rick.

You can put my name on set of those

fool_injected wrote:

Spidertrax wrote:Hello,

Thanks for the interest in Spidertrax products. Unfortunately at this time we do not ship internationally but we do have a dealer in Australia by the name of ABT 4X4. I have listed their contact info below:

ABT 4X4
Sean Lee
Unit 17 / 64 Drummond Street
South Windsor 2756
Australia
abt4x4@internode.on.net
02-6276-6833

They will be able to help you out with any product we sell. Let me know if you have any questions.

Have a nice day,

Ross Stanford
Sales Manager
Spidertrax Off-Road
www.spidertrax.com

This is BS!!! I have made 3 purchases direct with spidertrax in the last year! Why are they now saying they don't ship internationally? This is FUCT!

Don't get me wrong, I am all for supporting local business, but why should I pay for the middle mans profit margin when it can....... could be bought directly from the manufacturer?

I bought my chromo fronts direct from Spidertrax this year but even if they will no longer sell here you can always buy their products from Sean at Lowrange Offroad and sometimes his prices are even cheaper and his shipping certainly is.

cj wrote:I bought my chromo fronts direct from Spidertrax this year but even if they will no longer sell here you can always buy their products from Sean at Lowrange Offroad and sometimes his prices are even cheaper and his shipping certainly is.

Can you buy Calmini through Sean? I need 2 LSD's.

Gutless wrote:

cj wrote:I bought my chromo fronts direct from Spidertrax this year but even if they will no longer sell here you can always buy their products from Sean at Lowrange Offroad and sometimes his prices are even cheaper and his shipping certainly is.

Can you buy Calmini through Sean? I need 2 LSD's.

He was selling Calmini gears from memory, so i would guess he has access to other calmini stuff.

Layto....

Gutless wrote:

cj wrote:I bought my chromo fronts direct from Spidertrax this year but even if they will no longer sell here you can always buy their products from Sean at Lowrange Offroad and sometimes his prices are even cheaper and his shipping certainly is.

Can you buy Calmini through Sean? I need 2 LSD's.

Just tell him what you want and see what he can do as he can access quite a lot of stuff that he doesn't show on his website.

or try locktup, they have a guy in the US who can pretty much get his hands on whatever, and chris here based in aus, so can answer emails/get back to you pretty quick rather than waiting a day due to timezones etc... prices seem good too...

Dee wrote:or try locktup,

Agreed 100%, top company to deal with.