Its not that hard to spend several thousand dollars building any axle. Here is a (fairly extreme) example of a top-o-the-line Toy axle built from scratch (including steering):
3. Custom Diamond axle ready to go.
ItÆs high pinion, has a passenger side differential (so I donÆt need to exchange the t-cases), and is 64ö wide which is a bit wider than the rear 61ö. . . . This is the axle that I mentioned earlier in the thread that was for $6000. I really didnÆt do justice to the amount of parts that went into it. The steering is WAY more beefed up than I realized. (ThereÆs almost $1000 in parts going into it.) HereÆs the breakdown.
Cost breakdown
-Diamond Housing $900
-Core Toyota Front Axle $300 (for knuckles, spindles, wheel hubs, locking hubs, etc...)
-Ball Gussets $50
-Longfield Super Set w/Custom Length Inners: $645 + $200 = $845
-3rd member (high pinion, E-locker, 5.29s): $1300
-Elocker Motor Guard: $75
-Tie Rod: $60
-Drag Link (we'll make one to fit your rig): $60
-1 Ton Rod Ends: $135
-D44 Knuckle Studs/Cones: $80
-Knuckles Machined for D44 Studs: $100
-Custom OTT High Steer Arms - Machined for 1Ton Rod Ends and D44 Knuckle Studs+Cone Washers: $280
-Ott Dropped Pitman Arm - Machined for 1Ton End: $150
-ARP Hub Studs: $70
-Longfield Chromo Hub Gears: $70 x 2 = $140
-Knuckle Rebuild Kit: $75
-Wheel Bearing Kits: $40 x 2 = $80
-Brass Spindle Bushings: $36 x 2 = $72
-Loaded IFS Calipers: $119 x 2 = $238
-Vented Rotors: $39 x 2 = $78
-Extended Brake Lines: $50
-Rock Rings: $20
-Elocker Control Kit: $75
-Labor for assembling axle: $200
-Labor for regearing and installing locker: $400
Total: $5833 . . . The seller is willing to let it go for $5400.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />
Spending half that much isn't hard to do either by the time its all said and done. Its pretty easy to spend $1200 or more on the differential alone.
There are a lot of places you can skimp and save money too though (like I did), but to some extent you will get what you pay for.
My personal opinion is that, with a strictly bare-bones budget like I had, a D44 will be stronger than a Toy axle. But its more work and not necessarily what you may need or want. I think this is getting OT though... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />
