Anyone have any experience narrowing a stock REPU axle? If so, who had done the work and if the rear axle were able to be resplined. Otherwise looking to go 79-84 4x4 toyota axle. Thanks in advance.

I have 1974 model for reference.

Thanks
-Steve

 

You might ask the question over here: MazdaREPU.com

 

Looks like I'm sending it to Moser for the work. Also note, my axles in my truck are not tapered and thus are able to be resplined - Good News.

Not sure if its the same across all years.

 

What are you trying to achieve by shortening it?

 

Wider wheels to fit under the stock body, more wheel choices without going custom offset. Going a different route than what many/all REPUs go. Built to cruise and haul my bicycles around - That's it.

As I started with my original plan - I found more problems than I thought there would be. Snow balled into something else than originally intended.

 

ditch the REPU rear end and go with Ford (8.8" or 9"). You have to shorten the ford anyways. Moser makes the axles you need. The ford will come with disk brakes, will give you the offset you are looking for and change your PCD to 5x114.3. Also, depending on the year 8.8 that you get, you can get one with LSD. They are in every junkyard and are very cheap. I think i paid $125 for mine and it was in great shape. Lastly, if you wanted to, you can upgrade just about everything on them, from gearing, axles and brakes.

 

Was actually going to follow exactly what you did with the Ford 8.8, disc conversion etc. Had a reality check moment and reevaluated the entire budget for this truck and what I was planning on using it for. 8.8 not in cards and weirdly want to keep the 6x5.5" as I already imported some wheels from Japan.

If i ever swap motors, IRS would be part of that project anyway - Would hate to replace something to just replace it again a few years later.

But I do agree it is a more logical choice and for the longest time, my primary project path.

I'll start a build once it is further along.

 

Sneak peek?

 

Gotcha.....now it all makes sense. Any rear end/differential shop can shorten it for you. They usually have a connection at an axle shop that can make you a new set of axles or cut yours (if they can be cut).

Yes we need pics!

 

Only picture I have, 3piece Berg S4, nothing special. Planning to rebuild them in the future.

 

wow could you get it any lower.
nice looking truck btw

 

Oh thats very nice.

 

looks good!

 

Ditto^ I went with an 8.8 and it has worked out great. I originally had a 10 bolt (witch is much is much lighter than the 8.8) but dosent hold up to power. It just depends on what you are going for

 

Moser messed up on some information points - Looks like it will not work, ever. anymore info on the 8.8 axle?

What did you guys do with the gearing, drive shaft, and brakes? did everything bolt up and what did you need to have made/modified?

-Steve

 

I changed mine completely, so you cant really compare. Ive never tried to put a stock one under. I heard that you can cut the short side axle tube off ( i cant remember what side) and replace it with the same length as the "other side" That should give you around the 58-60 ish inches that you need to make it work. I dont know what you would do to keep the 6 lug unless you got axles made with that specific bolt pattern.

 

I had my explorer 8.8 cut down to help center the pig and bring the track down with an additional passenger side axle shaft. Brakes can be drum, disc or willowood depending on year. Drive shaft would be custom of course. you will also need spring brackets, shock mounts and to convert the parking brake for use.

 

I had an explorer 8.8 shortened and axles resplined,it was a 4x4 diff with 4:11 gearing.left stock explorer disk brakes and modified e-brake cable to work with that. But I did a 5 lug swap.