U are just going to swap the 3rd members correct?
That would be the easiest way if I am not mistaken.
Personally, I think it's a wash. I would prefer to roll the full rear axle out and then the new one in on wheels than man handle a dirty great 3rd while lying under your truck. Swapping the 3rds does give you the opportunity the replace axle shaft seals and repack the bearings. If you're not bothered about that I honestly don't think it's worth the trouble. Especially since you can replace the seals etc any time without removing the 3rd.
Also, don't forget the front has no 3rd so you will need to swap the whole diff.
Looks like you are busy Eli. If it were me I'd wait until after the 'big' trip. You don't want to find that you need to replace stuff half way through, run out of time and have a truck stuck on jack stands.
Up to you though ol'bean. Sounds like fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Exactly you'll have to swap the whole front axle in order to not screw something up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
I am in the middle of swapping both axles between Raider and Montero at the moment. swapping rears is no problem, its removing the front thats a PITA. You gotta knock the front spindles off to pull the CV shafts out. I also think you gotta pull the shocks off. Lots of BS in the way to do it, but its about a million times faster and more reliable than pulling the front diff out and hoping your measurements are accurate.
Actually I choose swap BOTH front and rear axles. The front isn't really that hard. I was able to pull the CV out without taking the spindles off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Steps for the front:
take off the c-clips at the hubs
take off skip plates
unbolt the rear mount from the crossmeber leave the rubber mount on
unbolt the 2 front mounts(if you can't you might have to pull the radiator for better access)
unbolt driveshaft at the axle...don't pull it out of the transfer case!
unbolt the passenger CV axle
take out the shocks or move them for the time being
unbolt the rear crossmember where the rear mount was bolted to to let the axle drop out
push the axle up and out of the way and pull out the passenger CV axle
pull the axle out with the attached driver's CV axle
Do the other truck
switch
put them back in
Ya might need a friend <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My uncle and I pulled a V6 front in a JY 2 weeks ago..took us probably 4 hours, but we didn't really know what to do. I bet with a friend it could be out in 2-3 hours max. No sure on the rear axle,but they should be exactly the same. So, what a few bolts and bleed the brakes?
If you swap 3rd members you'll have to pull the axle shafts and 3rd member....probably take just as long to swap the rear ends.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
