Heavy birfields or stock?

[RMP&O]

Are the Longfields similar quality to the OEM ?

far superior.

 

[helocat]

So I am about to do a complete knuckle rebuild on my 89 fj62. My question is should I upgrade the birfields or not while in there. I run 31" tires and no front locker and have no plans or desire to change that. The stock should be fine as long as im not a bonehead. Would upgrading the birfields while I am in there be too much overkill? I'm on the fence about spending the money on upgraded birfields.

Just know the braking points for stock birfs.

One of the best recipe to brake a birf: V8 + locker + steering hard over + backing up + large tires = "Pop"

You can take single parts of that recipe and also brake them but its harder to do so. Yes lots of other ways too, rocks, spinning a tire that grabs traction. Knowing how to take it easy on truck is the #1 way to keep stock birfs happy. Bottom line the guy behind the wheel is more likely to be the cause of a brake.

The other thing to consider too, if you do extended travel with your hubs locked in you will ware out Longfields. The Longfields are softer so they can take the shock loads the stock birfs can not. However this in trade is the ware aspect. Sustained use will rappidly ware a Longfield. (Like 10-15k miles) This is proven over and over with 80's and their full time 4WD, wearing out the aftermarket birfs when used as a DD. With your 62 being part time and locking hubs, you don't have to worry about this too much. Unless you do sustained travel like expedition trips in 4WD.

My 91 needs the knuckles re-sealed and i'm getting a click every now and then when turning right.
I may need to replace mine when I do the knuckles.
Are the Longfields similar quality to the OEM ?

See above for your 91' full time 4WD and Longs are not the best mix. There are aftermarket OE type you can get. Like from here: http://www.shopcvunlimited.com/land-cruiser/

Mark

 

[rocrunr]

Longfields,Longfields,Longfields all the way! Way stronger than stock and the most important factor,life time guarantee,you break it they will replace it no questions asked.Best customer service in the business.