Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all

I was looking at axle options for a trailer

If i took a rear 75 or 80 series axle and cut off the stubs just in from the backing plate say 4 inches back, then fitted them over a length of 70 or 80mm round stock with the ends turned down to accept them and welded them on what do people think the weight rating would be good for? any engineers able to tell me whether the limiting factor would be the stubs and bearings or the round barstock?

I've seen toyota's rating for their axles, but does anyone know what the hubs and bearings would REALLY be good for? 2.5t plus?

this way i could get hubs, bearings, brakes, handbrakes all for 500ish and the cost of the barstock.

Use the same wall thickness and diameter tube, not bar stock.
cut the ends off the diff housing then machine the axle tube off.
put the spindles in the tube and weld them in.
a sensible engineer will pass this as the same rating as the factory axle.
A mate and I did this with a dyna diff.


I would only do it with a full floater style diff.

MikeH wrote:Use the same wall thickness and diameter tube, not bar stock.
cut the ends off the diff housing then machine the axle tube off.
put the spindles in the tube and weld them in.
a sensible engineer will pass this as the same rating as the factory axle.
A mate and I did this with a dyna diff.


I would only do it with a full floater style diff.

Definately only interested in a full floater. Toyota rates their axles to 1800 each end or thereabouts, i'd want mine to be rated more than that hence what people think is the limiting factor in the factory diff - the housing or hubs/bearings? If people think the hubs/bearings are good for say 2-3 tonne, then i'd get stock to suit to make the rest of the axle. Also with solid stock i can have the solid pass right through the stub and come out the other end with a spline on it so i can fit a freewheeling hub on the axle to use as a handbrake.

Hi all...dont forget to take your tyre ratings into consideration,4wd tyres are rated about a 1000kg each,so going to 2 ton is about your limit on single axle.

mickbeny wrote:Hi all...dont forget to take your tyre ratings into consideration,4wd tyres are rated about a 1000kg each,so going to 2 ton is about your limit on single axle.

285/75R16 (33x11.50R16) come in a 10PR LT Construction which is a 126 Load. 1700kg/tyre at max inflation.

Thanks ryan!! good info and good point to consider the tyres.

By looking about i've found a 3 tonne braked axle assembly is available for $900 bucks. considering that a center-less housing is about 500, and then the stock material for the axle, and machining costs it works out about even. So i'm better off that way.

How did the bike trailer go?

The bike trailer is on hold since i had a pretty decent off at Eastern Creek. Until i get it fixed it's not worth spending money on the ancilliary equipment.

150kmh into turn 2, lowside slide for 80 meters. I walked away, the bike didn't.